Category: Daily Guide Network

Advans Ghana Savings and Loans has officially launched a new overdraft facility designed to provide Micro, Small And Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) with rapid access to short-term working capital.

The facility, unveiled at a ceremony in Accra, addresses the longstanding challenge of timely liquidity faced by thousands of small businesses across the country.

The overdraft pilot is running in four branches-Okaishie, Kaneshie, Koforidua, and Romanhill (Kumasi)-and is open to current clients, new customers, and businesses banking elsewhere who can provide verifiable financial documentation.

The initiative forms part of Advans Ghana’s broader strategy to expand flexible credit solutions that enable businesses to respond quickly to urgent operational demands, seasonal pressures, and emerging opportunities.

Speaking at the launch, Managing Director, Advans Ghana, Guillaume Valence, said the new facility was developed after extensive engagement with the company’s nationwide client base.

‘Our clients consistently told us that while long-term loans support expansion, they often face immediate cashflow needs that cannot wait. This overdraft is designed to give MSMEs the agility to act in the moment without eroding their working capital. Whether it is clearing a container, securing discounted stock, or meeting a sudden obligation, timely credit can make the difference between lost opportunity and business continuity,’ Mr. Valence said.

He added that Advans’ people-centred model, with more than 700 staff, including over 300 relationship officers, enables close understanding of client operations and the financial pressures that confront MSMEs daily.

‘We built this product responsibly. Overdrafts must be used wisely, which is why we have strong monitoring mechanisms and a clear return-to-zero policy to prevent long-term indebtedness. Responsible finance is central to what we do,’ he noted.

The new facility was developed in collaboration with GIZ, the German development agency, which has been working closely with Advans Ghana and other financial institutions since 2024 to design SME-focused financial solutions.

Component Manager at GIZ Ghana, Cynthia Odonkor, said the overdraft directly responds to one of the most critical challenges facing Ghanaian businesses.

‘Timely working capital is one of the biggest obstacles for MSMEs. A delayed payment or sudden expense can destabilise even a promising business,’ she said.

‘This overdraft offers flexible short-term liquidity and fast access to funds, but it also incorporates responsible lending practices that protect customers while supporting business continuity. Our partnership with Advans shows what is possible when development partners and financial institutions work together with a shared purpose,’ she added.

Chief Sales and Development Officer at Advans Ghana, Barbara Odei, highlighted the institution’s growing footprint and longstanding commitment to SME development.

‘Advans Ghana now serves more than 146,000 customers through 21 branches and digital channels, with a lending portfolio of over GHS540 million,’ she said.

She also noted, ‘Sixty-one percent of our loans go to women, and this overdraft will expand opportunities for even more entrepreneurs across Ghana. We see this as another step forward in our mission to be a reliable partner to small businesses.’

Ghanaian Afrobeat sensation, OliveTheBoy, has disclosed that his fanbase keeps increasing because of his good music productions.

According to him, before gaining opportunities to perform at big events after hitting the limelight, many of his fans had not seen him in person but had heard his songs, jamming to the vibes they exude.

‘People knew my songs before they even knew my face, and it showed me that when you put in the work, you don’t need to force anything,’ he told Prudent on EGuide show on Guide Radio.

OliveTheBoy, real name Joel Ofori Bonsu, made waves at Tidal Rave 2025 with his bold performance. He sang on a rotating bed with a scantily clad dancer, sparking a mix of shock, praise, and playful jokes on social media.

Many called it ‘wild energy,’ while others wondered if the rave turned into a ‘strippers’ party’. Either way, OliveTheBoy stole the show alongside other big names like Ayra Starr and Black Sherif.

OliveTheBoy shot to fame in May 2023 with his hit single ‘Goodsin’ from the Avana EP, which went viral on TikTok and became the most Shazamed song in Nigeria and Ghana.

OliveTheBoy is signed to Loop Music and has collaborated with big names like King Promise, Reekado Banks, and Sarkodie. His music blends Afrobeats, Afropop, Soul, and RandB, drawing comparisons to artistes like Wizkid and Fireboy DML.

THE ASANTEHENE, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has finally broken his silence over the ongoing Bawku mediation process, stating categorically that the two factions have made it known to him that they abhor war and bloodshed.

According to him, both the Mamprusis and Kusasis, during the final meeting for the Bawku chieftaincy mediation process on Monday, assured him that they are one people so there was no need for them to be at each other’s throats.

‘The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere with both sides emphasising the fact that they are one people who have no reason to be at war with each other,’ the Asantehene openly declared with approval.

Otumfuo, who is the main mediator for restoring lasting peace in Bawku, made the statement in a press release, which was authored and released on the evening of Monday, December 1, 2025.

Significantly, the Asantehene has not made any public comment about the Bawku chieftaincy crisis since the peace talks started, but he eventually decided to finally speak as the mediation process has officially come to a close.

He highly lauded the two feuding factions for their commitment, maturity and willingness to work together for lasting peace to return to Bawku, which has been a scene of chieftaincy clashes for some time now.

According to him, it’s important that the determination and maturity that both parties have displayed during the mediation process so far, would be sustained even after the final verdict had been announced.

‘His Majesty thanked both sides for their civility and maturity and urged them to remember that whatever the outcome of the mediation, they would have to live together as brothers and sisters.

‘He urged the leaders to start preparing the minds of their supporters to be prepared to put an end permanently to violence and disorder in their communities,’ the release admonished.

It said Monday was the first time that the two feuding factions met face-to-face to state their cases since the peace talks started, noting that they both behaved extremely well to the admiration of Otumfuo.

Otumfuo Meets Mahama

Authored by Kofi Badu, the Chief of Staff at the Manhyia Palace, the report also said Otumfuo would submit his final report on returning peace to Bawku to President John Mahama soon.

‘His Majesty announced that he would submit his report with his proposals to His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama in the coming days,’ the statement announced.

The report said it’s the hope of Otumfuo that ‘the president would act expeditiously and convene a formal meeting of all interested parties to announce the outcome of the mediation mission.’

Meeting Attendants

Those who attended the last session of the peace talks in the Manhyia Palace included Chief Tarana John Wuni Grumah, Paramount Chief of Tarana Traditional Area and spokesperson of the Nayiri.

He led a 30-member delegation to represent His Majesty Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, the Nayiri and overlord of the Mamprugu and the Mamprusis.

Also present was Naba Tambis Baalug, Paramount Chief of Pusiga, who led a delegation to represent the Bawku Naaba Zugraan Asigri Abugrago Azoka II and the Kusasi People.

The report also said, ‘Hon. Cletus Avoka acted as the spokesperson for the Kusasi delegation, with Dr. Issah as spokesperson for the Nayiri and Mamprusis. Both delegations comprised of chiefs, lawyers, academics, opinion and youth leaders.’

Prophet Prince Osei, the former husband of celebrated Ghanaian gospel singer, Empress Gifty, has revealed the real reason behind the collapse of their marriage, attributing the split to a persistent breakdown in communication.

In a video shared on Instagram on December 2, 2025, the prophet reflected on the challenges that ultimately led to their separation, admitting that despite their efforts to make the marriage work, poor communication created an insurmountable divide.

According to him, he now recognises that the marriage might have survived had he understood the importance of communicating effectively with his then-wife.

‘I have come to realise that prayer alone cannot keep a marriage going. Communication is everything,’ he said.

‘If I had known how to communicate well with her at the time, maybe things would have turned out differently.’

Prophet Osei stressed that even faithfulness-though important-is not enough to hold a relationship together without open and honest dialogue.

‘Faithfulness by itself will not sustain a marriage. Even affection, attention, and intimacy all come down to how you communicate,’ he added.

The former couple’s relationship, he disclosed, started long before Empress Gifty became a household name.

‘When I met her, she was a designer. But I knew music would open many doors for her because she had a powerful voice,’ he recounted.

‘Her brother brought her to my church. She wasn’t even a member, but he encouraged her to come.’

Prophet Osei, who now focuses on personal development and improving communication in relationships, said the experience has reshaped his understanding of what it truly takes to sustain a marriage.

Two Ghanaian female political figures, Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo and Member of Parliament for Sekyere Afram Plains, Hajia Nasira Afrah have called for the creation of an avenue that would champion African women’s right to dignity, and equal opportunity.

Speaking at the seventh edition of the Women’s Choice Awards Africa in Accra, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo stated that over the years, across the continent, women have spent generations pushing against social, cultural, political, and economic barriers.

She indicated that as the former Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, and ECOWAS Chair for West African Ministers of Gender and Social Development, she led reforms that strengthened human rights protection, advanced women’s empowerment, improved governance systems, and expanded inclusion for vulnerable groups across the sub-region.

Emphasising that African women are entitled to dignity, autonomy, and equal opportunity, she advised women in positions of influence to keep the doors open for the young ones.

‘We must continue the many mentorship programmes and sessions, but to ensure sustainability we should be able to teach these young ones how to become better and more impactful than our forebears. This is how to bridge the gap,’ she added.

Addressing the theme, ‘Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps, Building Legacies,’ Hajia Nasira Afrah said that progress in Africa – real, lasting, inclusive progress – has never been accidental.

According to her, ‘it has always been forged by courageous women like you and me, who stepped into spaces where doors had not yet been built, who rose against the odds and lifted others with them, and who understood that true influence is measured not only by personal success, but by the opportunities we create for many.’

Hajia Afrah urged women to remember that every barrier a woman breaks clears the path for another, saying, ‘Every gap we bridge strengthens the fabric of our societies. And every legacy built is a lighthouse – guiding our daughters, our nieces, our students, our communities – toward a future where they can rise even higher.’

The 41st National Farmers’ Day celebration officially opened on Monday at the Ho Sports Stadium with the launch of the 2025 National Agricultural Fair, drawing thousands of farmers, agripreneurs, policymakers, investors and exhibitors from across the country.

Held under the theme ‘Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future,’ the ceremony set the stage for a week-long showcase of innovation, technology and partnerships aimed at reinforcing Ghana’s food systems and agricultural resilience.

Council of State Representative for the Volta Region, Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah Atople, who was the keynote speaker, underscored the critical interdependence that holds Ghana’s agricultural value chain together, cautioning that the absence of even a single actor can trigger widespread disruption.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Atople emphasised that farming is not an isolated practice but a network of interconnected roles from producers and processors to traders and consumers. He noted that when any link within this system fails, the impact extends far beyond the farm gate.

Mr. Atople said the loss of one player, whether a farmer, a processor, or a market intermediary, can destabilise livelihoods, break supply chains, and ultimately affect food availability and economic stability.

He reiterated the need for stronger collaboration, support systems, and policies that protect all actors within the agricultural ecosystem, stressing that safeguarding each link is essential to sustaining national food security and rural prosperity.

‘Agriculture is not a competition, it is a collaboration that determines the wellbeing of our society,’ he stated. ‘Food security is national security. A nation that cannot feed itself risks instability and dependence.’

Mr. Atople lauded the Volta Region for its strategic contribution to national food production, pointing to the region’s fertile lands, expanding ecological zones and growing youth participation in agribusiness. He emphasised the region’s increasing influence in rice cultivation, and urged stronger investments in irrigation, mechanisation, improved seeds, storage and branding for locally produced rice.

He further called on government and stakeholders to confront persistent challenges including rising input costs, inadequate machinery, poor roads, post-harvest losses, climate variability and fluctuating market prices.

The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, commended the fair as a practical platform for learning, research exchange and agribusiness advancement. He applauded exhibitors for showcasing improved seed varieties, livestock breeds, mechanisation technologies, digital advisory tools and agro-processing equipment that support the modernisation of Ghana’s food ecosystem.

Representing the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Chief Director Miriam Kpakpa reaffirmed government’s commitment to sustainable fisheries and the expansion of aquaculture. She noted that the fisheries sector remains central to national nutrition, accounting for nearly 60 percent of Ghana’s animal protein intake and supporting the livelihoods of about three million citizens.

She outlined recent government interventions, including improved fisheries governance under the new Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, protection of artisanal fishing zones, expanded hatchery capacity and investment in modern landing sites across coastal and inland communities.

The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, emphasised the region’s continued readiness to contribute substantially to Ghana’s food security agenda. He highlighted significant progress in rice production, cassava processing, aquaculture, vegetable farming and livestock development, and praised President John Dramani Mahama for selecting the Volta Region as host of the national celebration.

‘Our farmers, fishers and processors remain the backbone of our economy, and the Volta Region salutes every one of them,’ he stated, urging participants to embrace innovation, forge partnerships and explore market opportunities available at the fair.

The opening ceremony brought together traditional leaders, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), development partners, agribusinesses, university researchers, youth farmers, and students from tertiary and second-cycle institutions.

This year’s week-long Farmers’ Day observance will feature exhibitions, business networking, market linkages and expert-led knowledge-sharing sessions. The celebrations will climax with a grand national awards ceremony to honour outstanding farmers and fishers for their exceptional contributions to Ghana’s food security and socio-economic development.

A TOTAL of 1,443,918,868 beneficiary shareholders of Scancom PLC (MTN Ghana) has, by a majority vote of 99.95%, approved the merger of Mobile Money Limited (MML) and Mobile Money Fintech Limited.

Additionally, a total of 88,092 were against the merger, while 4,445 of the shareholders abstained from either approving or disapproving the merger.

This indicates that shareholders have agreed for all businesses, assets, liabilities of MML be transferred to the newly incorporated company, Mobile Money Fintech Limited.

Also, 1,203,029,241 beneficiary shareholders totaling to 99.95% have approved the waiver of a fairness report, a document which typically contains the assessment of the fairness of a merger.

The move which was done during the extraordinary general meeting in Accra forms part of MTN’s efforts to comply with Bank of Ghana’s directive requiring dedicated electronic money issuers to maintain at least 30 percent Ghanaian ownership in line with the Payment Systems and Services Act of 2019 (Act 987).

The CEO of Mobile Money Limited (MoMo), Shaibu Haruna, said following the approval by beneficiaries during the voting period, Money FinTech Limited will merge with Mobile Money.

‘And obviously, Mobile Money Fintech Limited will become the surviving entity. For that reason, what this means is that it’s a structural change with no real customer impact in terms of the name-Momo from MTN will still remain, and our customers will continue to enjoy the great services that we have,’ he said.

He added that the new development allows the company to be more innovative highlighting the collaboration with the bank of Ghana, saying, ‘we will be actively supporting bank of Ghana’s initiative to drive financial inclusion and ensure that every single Ghanaian has access to digital spend.’

According to Mr. Haruna following the authorisation and approval from shareholders, said, ‘obviously no objection to this arrangement, and there is also a court process that will bring finality to this process. So we, by the virtue of this approval that we have, we are strengthening to go the next level in terms of making sure that all the regulatory steps are taken to ensure that our business is fully compliant with all the laws of Ghana.’

Chairperson of MobileMoney Fintech Limited, Victoria Bright, speaking with journalist explained that the companies seek to focus on completing a digital transformation and achieving operational independence from Scancom PLC while emphasising that the company would focus on enhancing governance and leadership structures in preparation for the eventual listing.

MTN Ghana has launched the 2025 edition of its 16 Days of Gender-Based Activism, with a renewed call to end digital violence against women and children.

Speaking at the launch, held in partnership with the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU), the Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer of MTN Ghana, Adwoa Wiafe, highlighted the urgent need to protect vulnerable groups in an increasingly digital world.

She explained that this year’s campaign focuses on the theme: ‘Uniting to End Digital Violence Against Women and Children.’

She noted that as society shifts much of its interactions online, new forms of abuse-such as cyberbullying, online harassment, impersonation, and the sharing of harmful content-have become widespread and harmful, particularly to women and minors.

‘We know about gender-based violence in its physical form, but today, as our lives move online, violence has followed us there. Cyberbullying and various online attacks are impacting women and children every day, and it is important that we speak about it openly,’ she said.

She added that this year’s campaign, which places a strong emphasis on education and early prevention, will bring together both boys and girls to learn about online behaviour, cyber hygiene, and the legal implications of harmful digital conduct. Madam Wiafe noted that MTN will roll out similar awareness programmes across the country over the 16-day period, working closely with DOVVSU to intensify reporting, support victims, and promote safer online engagement.

The Director of the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service, ACP Owusuaa Kyeremeh, emphasised that digital violence is real, pervasive, and capable of causing long-term psychological and emotional harm-particularly to women and children. ACP Kyeremeh noted that as society becomes more digitally connected, young people are increasingly exposed to harmful online behaviour, including cyberbullying, hacking, impersonation, the circulation of explicit content, and other forms of technology-facilitated abuse.

The Director of Education at the Ghana Police Service, DCOP Benjamin Osei Addae, noted that such programmes play a vital role in equipping young people with the knowledge needed to navigate digital platforms safely and responsibly. He commended MTN and DOVVSU for collaborating on an initiative that promotes digital literacy and child protection, adding that such engagements should occur more regularly, rather than just once every few months.

The University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) in Tarkwa in the Western Region has developed a technology that can clean river bodies polluted by illegal mining.

The Minerals Engineering Department of the university developed the technology.

The Vice Chancellor of UMaT, Prof. Richard Kwasi Amankwah, disclosed this in Tarkwa.

He said all that is needed is for government to give the university the chance to zoom into action to clean the river bodies from the high turbidity.

‘Some Geomantic Engineers have used satellite imagery to capture the quality of water in the rivers in some small scale mining communities.

‘They have been able to check the quality of water of the rivers,’ he added.

He said, ‘And I want to put it on record that UMaT has developed the technology and the know-how to clear all the polluted rivers in Ghana if given the opportunity.’

He noted that the Minerals Engineering Department keeps on taking samples from the polluted rivers and calculating how they could be purified.

Director of Enterprise and Wholesale at Telecel Ghana, Tawa Bolarin, has called for a continuous exchange partnership between telecom operators and research institutions in developing solutions to close the continent’s digital inclusion gap.

Speaking on a panel at the Future of Digital Countries (FDC) Africa Regional Summit in Accra on, ‘Bridging Research and Practice: Women Leading Africa’s Digital Transformation’ Ms. Bolarin argued that evidence-led innovation is hard to achieve without stronger collaboration between industry and academia.

‘Most research findings and reports sit on shelves in school libraries. To bridge the gap between research institutions and industry, we need a dynamic, two-way collaboration to inform each other. Telecom companies have lots of anonymised data that can shape insights of research and in turn, their research findings when shared with the tech industry can ensure digital inclusion solutions are more grounded in evidence and reality,’ she said.

She pointed to Telecel Foundation’s ‘Data for Good’ partnership, which provided anonymised mobility insights during national pandemics such as the COVID-19 and Akosombo dam spillage to inform public health guidelines.

On structural changes needed for women’s insights to influence national digital transformation, Ms. Bolarin argued that Ghana’s digital agenda must be designed with deliberate gender representation at the policy-making level.

‘There’s nothing to celebrate when it’s the first time a woman gets a position. It’s rather a call to action to open the door for other women. Until more women sit on policy boards, research councils, and strategy teams, our insights won’t shape national outcomes,’ she added.

Ms. Bolarin further outlined Telecel Ghana’s efforts to build a gender-inclusive digital workforce, citing policies and programmes that start at the basic education level to the workplace.

She also referenced that Telecel Foundation’s GrowGirlsinSTEM and DigiTech Academy initiatives in upper primary and Junior High Schools (JHS) ensure 70% female participation in robotics and coding programmes. At the tertiary level, the company’s Female Engineering Students Scholarship Programme (FESSP) has supported more than 100 female engineering students with financial aid, mentorship, and access to tech tools.

For entrepreneurs, Telecel introduced a Women in Business package last year, offering funding, insurance, training, networking, and market access to support female-led Small and Medium Enterprises.

Ms. Bolarin emphasised that the country’s digital gender gap cannot be solved by the private sector alone. ‘Telecel is ready to collaborate with key stakeholders to build digital systems that are more inclusive and more relevant to Ghana’s digital future.’

The panel included Dr. Azeb Tadesse, Deputy Director of Graduate School of Education and Information Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles; Dr. Olubunmi Ajayi, Chief Executive Officer of Maddison Pine and Dr. Maud Ashong Elliot, Lecturer, UPSA and President Internet Society Ghana Chapter.