Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has revealed that he directed the arrest of Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Ekumfi, former Board Chairman of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA), over alleged financial irregularities.
Prof. Ameyaw-Ekumfi was questioned regarding a $2 million payment made during his tenure for projects that were never executed.
Speaking to the media, Dr. Ayine stated,“We are still investigating the circumstances of the payment and those who were involved”.
On the morning of Sunday, March 2, 2025, the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) arrested Prof. Ameyaw-Ekumfi as part of a broader probe into financial transactions linked to his role as Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
However, he was released later that evening.
Meanwhile, his lawyer, Kenneth Korankye, has dismissed the allegations, maintaining that his client has done nothing wrong.
In a significant collaboration, Google has joined forces with Verve, Africa’s largest domestic card scheme, to enhance the digital transaction experience on the Google Play Store for Nigerians.
Effective immediately, Nigerians can utilize their Verve cards to conduct purchases on the Google Play Store, bolstering the digital ecosystem within the country.
Under this newly established partnership, Google will process Verve transactions within Nigeria, using the local currency, Nigerian Naira (NG). Consequently, these transactions will be treated as local by the country’s banking institutions.
This development ensures that any Nigerian with an Android device and a Verve card can now enjoy a seamless and streamlined method of making purchases on the Google Play Store.
Anthea Crawford, Head of Retail and Payment Partnerships, Google Play, said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Verve, expanding Google Play access for more Nigerians. The introduction of local payments with Verve cards is a significant milestone, enabling more Nigerians to participate in the app economy and access the apps they need.”
Speaking about this partnership, Vincent Ogbunude, Managing Director Verve International, stated that “the integration with Google Play is a significant stride towards achieving Verve’s vision of promoting financial inclusion. We are excited to bring digital content and services closer to Verve cardholders, hence bridging the digital divide.”
Verve’s growing recognition as Nigeria’s most popular payment card program fosters inclusion by bringing digital services to a wider range of the country’s citizens. Users may now add their Verve Cards to their Google Play Account and pay in Naira without hassle, maximizing this amazing prospect.
How to use your Verve card on Google Play is as follows: Open the Play Store, select the app you want to purchase, click “add credit or debit card” and, when prompted, input your Verve card information. Additionally, you can visit pay.google.com, sign in with your Gmail account, select “Add a payment method,” enter your Verve card information, and then save. After that, make your purchase by going back to the Playstore.
This new alliance helps create a more accessible digital environment for Nigerians while also streamlining the payment process for Google Play Store apps and services.
A satellite internet company invented by Elon Musk, Starlink, has been officially launched in the Kenyan market, intensifying competition with local players such as Safaricom, Jamii Telecommunications Limited, and Zuku.
The multinational firm, which is a subsidiary of Musk’s space technology company SpaceX, has appointed local internet provider Karibu Connect as its first authorized reseller in Kenya. Starlink promises to deliver impressive download speeds of up to 250 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 35 Mbps.
According to a notification displayed on Starlink’s website, Kenyan home users can purchase a terminal to enable connections at a cost of Ksh89,000 ($628), along with a shipping fee of Ksh3,100 ($21.88). The monthly subscription charge for residential use will be Ksh6,500 ($45.89).
For businesses, the hardware purchase comes at a cost of Ksh349,106 ($2,465) plus a shipping charge of Ksh7,500. The monthly subscription payment for business use has been set at Ksh13,572 ($95.81). With Starlink’s entry into the Kenyan market, users can look forward to improved internet connectivity and options.
“Starlink is currently available in your area using inter-satellite links. You can expect Starlink’s typical high-speed internet with brief periods of intermittent service and high latency,” states the firm in a web notification.
“Users will be able to engage in common internet activity like email, online shopping or streaming a movie, but they won’t be able to engage in activities like online gaming or video calls. Service will improve dramatically over the next year.”
A recent spot check by Business Daily reveals that Starlink’s pricing for internet services falls in the middle range compared to other providers in the market.
For home use, Safaricom, the market leader, offers a bronze fibre package with a speed of 8 Mbps for Ksh2,999 ($21.17) per month, while the silver bundle with speeds of 20 Mbps is priced at Ksh4,100 ($28.94).
Safaricom’s office-use packages include the gold package with a speed of 40 Mbps, priced at Ksh6,299 ($44.47), and the diamond package with a speed of 100 Mbps, priced at Ksh12,499 ($88.24).
On the other hand, JTL offers packages with different speeds: 40 Mbps at Ksh5,250 ($37) per month, 65 Mbps at Ksh10,500 ($74.13), 90 Mbps at Ksh15,750 ($111.19), and 140 Mbps at Ksh21,000 ($148.25).
Starlink’s technology, however, supports services that traditional terrestrial communications solutions cannot provide, enabling unmodified smartphones to connect to satellites in areas with coverage gaps.
The Starlink services cater to both fixed and mobile applications, including vehicle-mounted solutions for on-the-go use and connectivity on boats and ships operating both inland and offshore.
Safaricom has also planned to offer satellite internet services in partnership with Starlink’s Texas-based competitor, AST SpaceMobile. This move could potentially revolutionize traditional telecoms services, especially in areas where infrastructure has left many regions without internet coverage, particularly in rural parts of the country.
Zoomlion – Private Services Limited, a prominent waste management company in Sub-Saharan Africa, has introduced a cutting-edge digital payment platform to streamline business transactions with its customers, eliminating the need for cash transactions.
The implementation of these digital payment options is strategically designed to enhance convenience for customers while harnessing the power of technology to deliver improved services tailored to the specific needs of clients across the country.
Furthermore, the platform’s primary focus is to promote responsible waste management practices within communities in Ghana.
The launch event commenced in Accra, starting at Madina Zongo Junction and proceeding through Atomic Junction, Legon, Okponglo, Shiashie Dzorwulu Junction, Apenkwa, Tesano, Abeka Junction, and eventually reaching Kwame Nkrumah Circle before culminating at Accra Central (AMA office). This initiative marks a significant step forward for Zoomlion in embracing innovation and advancing waste management practices in the region.
“To meet the digital drive and agenda, Zoomlion, has therefore, introduced an innovative suite of digital payment solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of modern businesses, whilst addressing the needs of the average customer across the nation”.
“We do this through a bouquet of digital solutions available via, USSD code *857#, Zoomlion Application and Borla Taxi App found on Apple IOS and Google play Store,” he stated.
Mr. Amoako said the new App will bring ease, convenience and peace of mind to clients and customers who hitherto, had limited avenues for payment.
“For the next few months, both new and existing clients of Zoomlion who use any of our digital platforms to pay for their residential and corporate waste management services in advance will enjoy many benefits including discounts and other added value services (T&Cs Apply)”.
He urged Ghanaians to look out for more alliances with other payment portals and services all in the bid to serve clients better.
As a result of this digitalization drive, new and existing clients of Zoomlion will now enjoy real-time data analytics to track and monitor payments and back, multiple platforms to make payments (Smart Phone, analog, IOS or Android), on-demand waste management services (Terms and conditions apply) and easy and instant access to Zoomlion for complaints, requests, suggestions and feedback.
The launch of this digital payment services reaffirms Zoomlion’s position as a leader in the end to end integrated environmental sanitation space, committed to providing exceptional services to its clients.
“We will continue the relentless pursuit of innovation, combined with our vast experience in waste management in the country to build a better and cleaner Ghana for our generation and the ones after us,” he maintained.
He said Zoomlion will continue to improve people’s lives and their environment at all cost through the use of environmentally sustainable means.
The Mayor of Accra, Elizabeth Sackey lauded Zoomlion for the initiative and said that Ghana will be a better place if we all welcome the new digital platform form dubbed “twea na yenfa wo borla.”
I’m here today to applaud this exercise by Zoomlion because borla is destroying our society.
This is in line with the ongoing digital agenda,” she stated.
Mrs. Sackey said when she took over as a mayor, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly started an initiative to stop Ghanaians from dumping garbage into drains ‘so pay for us to pick your borla is a laudable idea’.
The Education Department said on Friday that the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden will forgive $39 billion in student loans for more than 804,000 students.
The department attributed the relief to a “fix” to income-driven repayment (IDR) plans.
According to the agency, borrowers will be qualified for forgiveness after 20 or 25 years of consistent IDR payments.
Lower-income borrowers’ monthly payments are capped under the IDR scheme, and after a certain period of time, the remaining sum is forgiven.
The general public has been advised by the Cybersecurity Authority to use caution and due vigilance when engaging in online activities.
“Easter is a major Christian festival that celebrates the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Malicious actors are likely to take advantage of the season to perpetrate online fraud or scams.”
The Cybersecurity Authority in a statement said “Malicious actors create fake online shops or impersonate existing businesses on social media pages, offering heavily discounted goods. Victims are enticed to send money for these deals but never receive the items.”
“Malicious actors trick unsuspecting victims into sharing their mobile money wallet PIN. The scammers then proceed to make unauthorised payments or transfers from the victim’s wallet. Malicious actors impersonate workers of a legitimate courier service and lure unsuspecting victims to believe they have a package that needs to be delivered for a certain fee. No delivery is made after the victims make the payment.” Recommendations
Be cautious of unsolicited emails or messages offering exciting or “too good to be true” deals connected to the Easter celebration.
Do not share your personal information such as your credit/debit card information or bank account details with anyone, especially if you do not know them well.
Use only reputable online marketplaces or retailers when purchasing items or gifts. Look for reviews and customer feedback and always insist on payment AFTER delivery. Do not pay any delivery fees for goods you did not order.
The CSA has a 24-hour Cybersecurity/Cybercrime Incident Reporting Points of Contact (PoC) for reporting cybercrimes and for seeking guidance and assistance on online activities. Call or Text-292, WhatsApp-050 160 3111 or Email -report@csa.qov.gh.
