Category: For Ghanaians

  • Ghana SEC Deliberates Over Possibility of Regulating Cryptocurrencies

    Ghana SEC Deliberates Over Possibility of Regulating Cryptocurrencies

    Recently it was declared that the Ghana SEC is discovering licensure for digital assets, such as cryptocurrencies and security tokens. While digital currencies are not currently legal tender within the country, the SEC is seeing licensing platforms in such a way that they can be used to manage a business effectively. Paul Abio, who serves as the Director General of the country’s SEC, allegedly stated that the body is watching to express and solemnize a good controlling outline that will lay down the instructions for crypto to exist and function in Ghana as legal tender.

    Paul Abio mentioned the following regarding the arrogance of worried parties to cryptos and the SEC’s vision for it going forward it was stated in the local news outlet,

    “…..People to desist from dealing with these crypto entities but when you choose to go there you are on your own, we are looking at the area obviously various chances of……have adopted a wide range of chances on it and we are still doing our research and gathering information and we welcome any input that people might have to help us formulate a view on how we should deal with it in Ghana.”

    Currently, till an agenda is put into place, depositors must be clear of crypto exchanges which are still totally uninhibited. There should be a swift fix solution which is implementable, the finest course of action for cryptocurrency traders and investors to evade such crypto exchanges overall. From the past 20 years, the Modulus has created a customer list such as Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America, Barclays, NASA, Siemens, Shell, Yahoo!, Microsoft, Cornell University, and the University of Chicago.

    Deputy director general of the SEC Paul Abadio feels that users require to stop dealing with unlicensed cryptocurrency things, on this he stated that:

    “When you choose to go there, you are on your own. We have adopted a wide range of changes on it and we are still doing our research and gathering information, and we welcome any input that people might have to help us formulate a view on how we should deal with it in Ghana.”

    About Modulus:

    Modulus was established in 1997 since then it is offering advanced monetary technology services and products to specialized traders, brokerages, trading firms, and enlightening, administrative, and non-profit organizations in 94 countries. The corporation’s products and services have reached more than millions of customers all over the world.

  • Ghana’s ALEXpay wins Global Business Outlook Award

    Ghana’s ALEXpay wins Global Business Outlook Award

    Segmented telco-based mobile money platform, ALEXpay, has won the Best Money Transfer Application Award at this year’s Global Business Outlook Awards.

    The award, to be presented to the company at a ceremony in London, is expected to recognise the company’s innovative services in 2018, a statement issued by the Global Business Outlook, organisers of the awards, said.

    ALEXpay is among three Ghanaian-based businesses shortlisted for the awards.

    The two others are Milvik for Best Insurance Mobile Application and Zenith Bank PLC for the Most Innovative Corporate Bank Award.

    The Global Business Outlook Awards aims to recognise and reward excellence in business to companies all over the globe, both in the public and private sector, to make sure that innovation, creativity and the drive to create value get due recognition.

    The awards are open to companies of all sizes, based anywhere in the world, and in both broad and niche sectors.

    Appreciation

    The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Allied Exchange Africa and co-Founder of ALEXpay, Mr Moses Kanduri, in an interview with the Daily Graphic, said the award was an inspiration to the company to continue with the work they did.

    He said the ALEXpay platform allowed customers to transfer money from one mobile money account to another on a different network, with or without Internet access to bridge the gap between the banked and the unbanked population.

    “This recognition follows several recognitions from this country where we have been nominated for Best Mobile Money of the Year, Best Fintech Award at the MOBEX Awards during the Ghana e-commence awards, among others “It just means that we are doing something right as a Ghanaian small business that is only 15 months old, so it means that we have to begin as a country to support start-ups to see how far they will go,” he said.

    Mr Kanduri noted that after 15 months of operation, the company had not only penetrated the Ghanaian market with a significant market share but had also established international partnerships in 11 countries.

    “Very soon we will conclude on a partnership that will allow cross-border payments,” he said.

    To help the company improve on its services, Mr Kanduri encouraged customers to provide feedback on their experiences.

  • Vodafone Ghana is launching Express Wi-Fi by Facebook in Ghana

    Vodafone Ghana is launching Express Wi-Fi by Facebook in Ghana

    Vodafone Ghana is set to launch Express Wi-Fi by Facebook in underserved areas across the country.

    Express Wi-Fi is a program that helps retail entrepreneurs to offer fast and affordable Wi-Fi services at hotspots spread across their communities. Express Wi-Fi is deployed in countries including India, Kenya, Indonesia, Nigeria and Tanzania.

    The project serves as an extension of Vodafone Ghana’s strategy to ignite a digital revolution in Ghana by leaving no one behind.

    The technology is available on Wi-Fi enabled devices. Customers need to connect to any available Vodafone Express Wi-Fi hotspot within Accra.

    Some connected communities include Nima, James Town, Kanda, Pig Farm, Abossey Okine and many others.

    Additionally, customers can also purchase Express Wi-Fi data packs from a branded & accredited Vodafone Express Wi-Fi Retailers in these communities.

    How to connect and use ExpressWi-Fi

    Connecting to the Vodafone Express Wifi service is very simple. Go through the processes below to enjoy fast, affordable internet in your community.

    Put on your Wi-fi on your smart device (phone, laptop, tablet, etc.) and connect to Vodafone Express Wi-Fi hotspot in any Express wifi connected community.

    The Vodafone Express Wi-Fi portal will automatically open, which you will have to input your mobile number (either Vodafone or any other networks)

    An SMS will be sent to the mobile number, which, the customer would use to log onto the internet to proceed to browse.

    Every first-time user will enjoy a jumpstart data of 100MB and can purchase data from as low as GHS1.

    Visit the nearest branded and accredited Vodafone Expresswifi Retailer in your community to purchase the affordable data packs.

  • Sesi Technologies Advances to 2019 GIST Tech-I Semifinals Round

    Sesi Technologies Advances to 2019 GIST Tech-I Semifinals Round

    Ghanaian agritech Innovator, Isaac Sesi, Founder of Sesi Technologies, has advanced to the 2019 GIST Tech-I Semifinals for his promising innovation in Agric called FarmSense.

    GIST Tech-I is an annual competition that challenges aspiring science and technology entrepreneurs in 132 emerging economies to pitch their ideas or startups to experts and the general public. The competition is part of the U.S. Department of State’s Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) initiative and has been implemented by the American Association for the Advancement of Science since 2014.

    This year, more than 500 innovators from emerging economies worldwide submitted their ideas or startups to GIST Tech-I. Only the top twenty-four will advance through an expert review stage and the semifinals public voting stage to showcase their innovations, receive one-on-one mentoring, and compete for seed capital prizes at the 2019 Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) in Bahrain, April 15-18, 2019.

    After review by panels of regional, scientific, and entrepreneurship experts from around the world, Sesi Technologies has been named one of just 80 2019 GIST Tech-I Semifinalists.

    Isaac is working to transform agriculture in Africa through Technology. When launched, his technology, FarmSense, will help farmers in Africa increase productivity and yield by monitoring important soil parameters in farms and providing farmers with personalized recommendation to help them make data-driven decisions about their farms and eliminate guesswork.

    Sesi Technologies was founded in March 2018 by Isaac Sesi with the goal of empowering farmers in Africa with affordable technologies.

    FarmSense pitch video and application to the GIST Tech-I Competition, demonstrated the idea’s technical feasibility, market potential, and the significance of the problem it addresses. Now, the global public’s online votes will help decide whether Isaac advances as one of thirty GIST Tech-I finalists to represent Ghana and showcase his innovation to some of the world’s most successful investors and entrepreneurs at GEC.

    To help Sesi Technologies advance to the 2019 GIST Tech-I Finals, vote for Isaac at https://sesi.tech/gist. For me information about FarmSense, visit http://sesi.tech/farmsense or contact [email protected].

  • Forbes8 Network and App launched in Ghana for Entrepreneurs

    Forbes8 Network and App launched in Ghana for Entrepreneurs

    The Forbes8 Network is designed to bridge the knowledge gap between local entrepreneurs and the rest of the world.

    With over 100 vertical topics on the world’s most successful businesses on the Network, entrepreneurs and subscribers will receive and hear from some of the best minds on how they started their businesses.

    Speaking at the launch in Accra, the Deputy Minister of Communications, Vincent Sowah Odotei, lauded Forbes for choosing Ghana as the first destination of this great network.

    He said the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s government is ready to empower Ghanaian entrepreneurs through the use of technological solutions.

    “Since we came to power, we have demonstrated enormously of our willingness to embrace digitization as the solution to a lot of the challenges facing Ghana”, the Minister said.

    Tom Davies, the Chief Growth Officer of Forbes, recounted the journey of Forbes and how it has grown to be a global force. He, therefore, used the opportunity to encourage Ghanaian entrepreneurs not to relent in their businesses and also to take advantage of the Forbes8 network.

    Ghana is the maiden country to benefit from the Forbes8 Network, providing an opportunity for them to join and watch streams from live business events and interactions from around the world.

    The platform will be an app-based service which will allow users to log in to watch, listen to seminars, interact with business leaders and provide an opportunity to be mentored by leading business executives.

    It can be accessed through by signing up within Busy data plans or directly on Forbes8.com or iOS App Store Forbes8 application.

  • 50 Most Visited Websites in Ghana according to Alexa | 2019 Guide

    50 Most Visited Websites in Ghana according to Alexa | 2019 Guide

    According to Alexa.com, the Amazon company that curates the data of websites worldwide, Ghana has a peculiar taste when it comes to the use of the internet.

    Here are some useful insights about the use of the internet in Ghana before we look at the 50 Most Visited Websites:
    YouTube is the most visited social media site in Ghana, followed by Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

    1 out of every 5 sites visited is a news website. The most visited of these in order of ranking are Ghanaweb.com,

    Yen.com.gh, News-speaker.com, Celebritiesbuzz.com.gh, Myjoyonline.com, Graphic.com.gh, Ghpage.com, etc.

    Betway.com.gh and Betyetu.com.gh are in the top 20 most visited. Conclusively, sports betting in top on the minds of Ghanaians. You can check out a couple of superbettingsites.com too.

    3 out of every 50 sites visited by a Ghanaian is a pornographic site, with Xvideo, Empressleaks and Pornhub making it to the top 50.

    7 out of every 50 sites visited by a Ghanaian is sports oriented.

    We have compiled a list of the Top 50 Ghana News Websites

    Here’s the list of the 50 Most Visited Websites in Ghana

    1. Google.com

    2. Youtube.com

    3. Ghanaweb.com

    4. Facebook.com

    5. Google.com.gh

    6. Yahoo.com

    7. Betway.com.gh

    8 . Yen.com.gh

    9. Jumia.com.gh

    10. Wikipedia.org

    11. News-speaker.com

    12. Celebritiesbuzz.com.gh

    13. Afrtrk.com

    14. Myjoyonline.com

    15. Blogspot.com

    16. Popads.net

    17. Livescore.com

    18. Betyetu.com.gh

    19. Flashscore.com

    20. Lightdl.xyz

    21. X*****s site

    22. Tonaton.com

    23. Graphic.com.gh

    24. Ghpage.com

    25. Live.com

    26. E*********k site

    27. Amazon.com

    28. Ghafla.com

    29. Peacefmonline.com

    30. Todaytvseries2.com

    31. Twitter.com

    32. Instagram.com

    33. Cobalten.com

    34. Softonic.com

    35. Ghanamotion.com

    36. Bodelen.com

    37. Moneymake.site

    38. Yts.am

    39. Microsoft.com

    40. I62e2b4mfy.com

    41. O2tvseries.com

    42. Ug.edu.gh

    43. Ask.com

    44. Exosrv.com

    45. Lightdlmovies.blogspot.com

    46. Soccabet.com

    47. Researchgate.net

    48. Goal.com

    49. P**n*hb site

    50. Bbc.com

    So there you have it, the 50 Most Visited Websites in Ghana. This should give you a general perspective on the Ghanaian’s lifestyle.

    Let’s get Mfidie.com into the top ranks of Most Visited Sites in Ghana. Share this article and comment with what you think about this list.

    Stay positive!

  • Applications are Now Open for the $50,000 2019 MEST Africa Challenge

    Applications are Now Open for the $50,000 2019 MEST Africa Challenge

    With 10 years experience training and mentoring Africa startups and entrepreneurs, Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) is set to hold the second edition of its MEST Africa Challenge.

    First held in 2018, MEST Africa is a Pan-African startup pitch contest.

    The contest is targeted at startups that already have revenue bases and are looking to expand to other markets. The competition targets startups located in African countries like Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.

    With this focus, MEST Africa Challenge will run as a series of regional competitions that lead up to the main Challenge. Regional events will hold in locations like Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa. Winners of the regional events will get the chance to pitch at the main event holding in Kenya in June 2019.

    Meanwhile, the MEST Africa Challenge promises a host of benefits to startups. Importantly, the pitch contest promises a $50,000 equity investment for finalists. Finalists also get slots in MEST incubators anywhere in Africa.

    The MEST Africa Challenge draws a lot of media attention and guests. Both types of audiences are key enablers of startup growth. Guests usually include a crowd of investors, entrepreneurs and other innovators. Last year, the judging panel at the main event was made up representatives from Facebook, MTN and even Meltwater, the organisers of MEST Africa.

    Applications for this year’s competition is already open, and will close by February 15. Regional events are scheduled to hold as follows: Abidjan (28 February), Accra (27 February), Cape Town (28 February), Lagos (26 February) and Nairobi (27 February).

    The MEST Africa Challenge is highly competitive and draws a large pool of startups. Last year, over 700 startups applied for the competition, but only 40 made it to the regional events though. This year, things may not be too different.

    To apply, click here.

  • 11 Apps every Ghanaian must have | 2019 Guide

    11 Apps every Ghanaian must have | 2019 Guide

    Do you want to have an awesome year in spite of the uncertainties in trends?

    I will share with you some apps you can easily get from the play store or iOS store, that will provide everyday solutions to your challenges as you hustle to make it big this year,

    It is unfortunate to note that most people get their goals derailed before the first quarter of the New Year lapses. However, with these apps on your jealously-kept companion… your personal assistant… your smart device, I trust you will be influenced to exercise some more discipline and have the best year of your life.

    Let’s get this out of the way.

    I am not going to sneeze out on you those ‘most downloaded’, under-utilized apps that certain social media. I pretty sure that you are getting sick and tired of Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, WhatsApp and all their clones that keep your smart device buzzing and tingling, all-day, all-night.

    To the apps, to get you busking in a more productive year…and here we have a number:

    Waze App

    You are going to have an awesome year is you conquer the daily dreaded vehicular traffic we face here in Ghana. The Waze App provides you with real-time turn-by-turn navigation information about your routes, gives alert about car accidents and road blockage, and gives alternative routes to get to your destination in time.

    You can cut down on commuting time spent in go-slows, avoid painful traffics, reduce stress and increase productivity. It is free.

    Dropbox

    Alright, so you grin whenever your phone alerts you, “Memory Full. Delete Items.” You have so much information you just can’t let go – pics, videos, documents and gifs…haha! Well, this app gives you the option to store as many items as you want safety in the clouds.

    You can access your data from anywhere, anytime. Never feel like you have to cut your arm again, just upload all your documents to Dropbox, and voila!

    Google Keep

    If you didn’t know, ideas are wealth in crude form. It is estimated that your mind processes over 16,000 thoughts per day. Imagine the wealth you have lost because you lost some thoughts.

    Google Keeps allows you to quickly capture what’s on your mind and get a reminder later at the right place or time. Keep custom-made notes and voice memos of incredulous ideas in a fun way, and one of them could make you a billion dollars!
    Best wishes there, but remember me.

    MoneyWise

    If you constantly wonder where all your wallet cash sipped into, then this app is definitely for you. MoneyWise is your budget checker on the go. It should be the first app you make space for on your device. Very important.

    See how money comes into your hands and discover which outlets are bigger or sizeable. You will develop a prudent spending habit and reduce your debts.

    It is free. The Pro version is however for a fee.

    Focus Booster

    You need to get a lot of things done on your smart device; however, you get distractions by Eden-Apple crafted notifications every other 20 seconds.

    This app applies a technique to keep you disciplined to stay to a task for an allotted time, followed by a break, then to another task, followed by another break…in that shuttle.

    The technique is used by some of the highly effective people like Elon Musk, Bill Gates and Warren Buffet. Focus Booster will definitely make you highly effective.

    Duolingo

    You definitely have an advantage when you understand another language. This app provides a fun way to learn a new language, at your own pace.

    Get it for free and start your adventure!

    Jumia/KiKUU/Alibaba

    I will get some critique for this. I don’t have a favourite though. Nonetheless, it is important you have an e-commerce app on your device this year. They come with a lot of convenience and perks…Black Friday…Cyber Monday…Christmas Discounts…Valentine Give-Aways.

    7 Minute Workout

    You made resolutions to keep fit and build some muscles. You started grand, and in the third week, you crashed. Your body still looks the same, but you are hoping that next year comes early so you can start ‘afresh’ again. I ‘beseech’ you to skip the gym and give 1/144th of your days’ time to this app. At mid-year, send me a picture of your ‘then’ and ‘now’.

    iSentry

    This is a free home security system. From your mobile smart device, you can detect motion inside your room, in your car or from anywhere you have positioned your computer’s webcam. You can live a little freely knowing that the back you left is covered with a ‘Russian-Style’ sensory device. You can alert the police before all your properties are burgled.
    This is free for iOS only.

    Personality Development App

    In turning a new leaf, you need to change some behaviours. Your external skin can give you the perfect app to help you with this app. Get those motivational quotes to invoke the sleeping will-power in your grey matter. Tips you can munch on all day and training courses are made available on the Personal Development App.
    Get this powerful app for free.

    Uber/Taxify

    Here we go again, I don’t fancy unwarranted battering with words from any discontented loyalist of either brand. However, I want to stress that it is important to have these as they come in handy. You might break down your motor or might need a swift intervention to get to an urgent rendezvous. These might be life or near-life savers.
    Get these apps for free on your stores. You will, however, pay for the services they render.

    So, there you have it, my list of 11 apps that will cover the important areas of your life in this year: from mental, to physical, to financial and to social. Note however that this list is not exhaustive; these are apps I have used and want to share with you.

    I guess it’s time to get rid of some white elephant apps and replace them with these 14 apps of effective living. Comment with apps I left out which have transformed your life.

    Stay positive!

  • Apply to the ADC’s Smart Incubator Programme for a chance to attend the AI for Global Good Summit in Geneva

    Apply to the ADC’s Smart Incubator Programme for a chance to attend the AI for Global Good Summit in Geneva

    The Accra Digital Centre invites applications from Ghanaian Tech Start-ups, especially in the areas of AI and Blockchain Technologies to an ITU Smart Incubator Program.

    Applications from other Tech and emerging ICT areas are welcome.

    Successful start-ups will benefit from early development support under the ITU Smart Incubator program and attend the AI for Global Good Summit in May 2019, at Geneva, Switzerland and the ITU Telecom World in September 2019 in Budapest, Hungary to pitch their ideas

    Kindly send a 5-10 slide pitch deck describing your solution/venture to [email protected]

    Deadline for submission of applications is 25th January 2019

  • Apply now: flab Accelerator seeking Ghanaian female-led tech startups

    Apply now: flab Accelerator seeking Ghanaian female-led tech startups

    Applications are open to the Innohub flab Accelerator, seeking female-led tech startups to join the six-month Ghana-based programme.

    The fLab programme seeks to promote innovative technology entrepreneurship among women, by providing female-owned tech startups with product development and business development support.

    The accelerator is currently seeking 20 entrepreneurs with innovative, high-growth, social impact ventures looking for support to refine their offering and scale.

    Participants will receive help from a team of mentors and coaches with product development and testing, as well as with refining their business and customers strategies. Co-working space complete with a tech lab to test ideas will also be available to the chosen entrepreneurs.

    To be eligible, startups must have a two or three-member female-led team; be aged between 20 and 30 years old; have an innovative technology solution in its idea or early stage with potential for growth, and be willing to commit the six-month intensive programme.

    Applications are open here, until January 15.