Sunday, April 29, 2012


GLO MOBILE GHANA LAUNCHED IN GHANA IN A GRAND STYLE
 
The long awaiting roll out services of the sixth telecom operator in Ghana GLO Mobile Ghana, has finally seen the break of dawn as it finally launched its commercial services in a grandest style in Ghana by parading a hosts of Ghanaian Icon or celebrities from the Music, movie and the media fraternity to grace the much anticipated launch of all times by a telecom operator in Ghana. So
The official launch of Glo Mobile services in Ghana which was held in the plush five star hotel in Ghana on Sunday was attended by the Executive Director of Glo Mobile Ghana Mr.Adewale Sangowawa, the chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC), Ambassador. Kabral Blay Amiheri, the President of the Ghana Journalist Association, Mr Ransford Tetteh and the CEO of Ovation Magazine, Chief Dele Momodu. Almost 1.5 million Ghanaian mobile subscribers on Monday,to will wake up to experience a brand new network with a prefix code 023 attached to their already seven digit numbers that is set to change the face of mobile telecom operation in Ghana.
In his address the Chief Operation Officer of Glo Mobile Ghana, Mr. George Andah express led his immense gratitude to the first the President of Ghana the Republic of H.E Prof. John Evans Attah Mills according to Mr. Andah “whose proclamation and help substantially removed some of the stumbling blocks we had encountered in the process of rolling this network”, and “the numerous vendors, suppliers, technical partners and our own staff for their commitment to our vision and dedication to work”.
He said even though Glo face daunting challenges, some of which were beyond its control, they were motivated by the physical and emotional encouragement of Ghanaians from the ordinary man on the street to the captain of industry and top Government official. “Whenever we encountered Ghanaians at the airports, on the streets, in taxis and at social circles, the question on everyone’s lips is “Glo, when will you launch?” The affection is glaring, so infectious and we were touched whenever we heard the personal experiences of people who had even bought handset they will use for their Glo’s SIM, well before we could supply them”

Mr. Andah who looked physically charged up for the occasion in his white Ghanaian smock attire with the official green Glo inscription embroided in it assured the Ghanaian subscribers a modern and reliable telecommunications service that they’ve been yearn for.
The Chief Operation Officer then called on all Ghanaians from all backgrounds and all walks of life to Stand Proud and joins the Glo network. He maintained that Glo is committed as ever to its vision to build the biggest and best telecommunication network in Africa and still determine to use the Globacom success story to make a powerful statement to the rest of the world.
Already about One million, Five hundred subscribers have reserved their lines on the Glo network, which has to handle over 10 million lines. With the launch, subscribers can start redeeming their reserved numbers now in every part of Ghana
Glo Mobile Ghana is also kicking off its service with an amazing product called Good Day Ghana which enables all Glo Subscribers to enjoy mouth-watering offerings such as Free Unconditional 20Gp airtime daily for 100 days: Free calls from Midnight to 5:00am: Bonus on In-Coming Calls: Up to 100% Bonus on Recharges; and Sweet Number which enables subscribers to call one special person at 2Gp per minute.

In an interview with BiztechAfrica at the launch, the Chairman of the National Media Commission and also a former ambassador to Ivory Coast, Mr. Kabral Blay-Amihere commended Glo for honoring its promise to Ghanaians, although it has kept many Ghanaian subscribers waiting Glo’s launch marks another mile stone in the history of Ghana’s telecom industry. He therefore called on Glo Mobile Ghana to roll out its services that are second to none in system, so that Ghanaians will feel their impact as anticipated.
He assured Glo of his Commissions support and that of the media fraternity at all time and wish the sixth telco the best in its endeavor.
Mr. Adewale Sangowawa who is the Executive Director of Glo Mobile Ghana told BiztechAfrica that the launch of Glo network services in Ghana is significant to the Ghanaians subscribers because Glo is going to offer services that would beat the rest on the market. He expressed confident in the Ghanaian subscribers, that they are going to massively going to embraces Glo Mobile not just because of emotions but the products and quality services that Glo Ghana will offer.

 
Nana Appiah Acquaye

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

NCA BLAMES TELCO AGENTS FOR THE INVALIDATION OF SUBSCRIBERS SIM CARDS


As time fast approaches for 3RD March, 2012 closing date for the registration of Subscribers Identification Module (SIM) card by the National Communication Authority in Ghana, many subscribers stands a great chance of loosing their cards since their numbers have not been validated by their various telecom operators. About 60% of subscribers have been notified by their operators to re-register their SIM cards for fear of perpetual deactivating of their SIM cards. Mr. Mawuko Zomerlo from the National Communication Authority (NCA) explains that these problems exist because most telecom has given the registration to agents who don’t really care about making sure the right thing is done. In a monitored interviewed BY BiztechAfrica, Mr. Zomelo noted that about 4 million subscribers have had their SIM card registration not valid and for that matter need to see an agent for re-registration.
He blamed the telco’s for leaving such a crucial responsibility to agents and further disclosed that he had had numerous calls from friends and love ones about how some agents are going about selling unregistered SIM cards to prospective subscribers. “I have had friends and family members calling me to informed me that they’ve been sold unregistered SIM cards unknowingly and so they wanted to check from me whether they can still use it, it’s unfortunate for these developments to take place”
One frustrated subscriber Margret Amene Danquah who resides in Dansoman, a suburb of Accra told BiztechAfrica that she just received a text message from her Vodafone Operator that she will be losing her numbers if she fails to register it. But according to her, Vodafone agent bearing Vodafone ID cards came to her home to register her SIM, so she finds it difficult to understand why such a text message has been sent to her phone.
Another MTN Subscribers by name Lambert Wilson disclosed to BiztechAfrica in an interview that he also received a text message warning him of loosing his SIM card, because his card wasn’t registered. He said upon checks at the MTN office, it was revealed to him that his card has been registered and that the message he received was an error from MTN.
On February 1, 2012, Ghana’s parliament adopted the SIM Regulation, 2011(L.I 2006) to give backing to SIM card registration in the country. The legislation provides that from March 3, 2012, no SIM card can be used if it is not registered. Consequently, no mobile network operator shall be able to activate a SIM card for a new customer without it having registered.
Also existing subscribers who have either not registered their SIM cards or whose earlier registration is invalid are required to re-register, failure to do so will amount to the deactivation of ones SIM card without any prior notice.


Nana Appiah Acquaye

LIMITED TECHNOLOGICAL KNOW HOW HINDERS GHANA’S BIOMETRIC EXERCISE


The first phase of the National Biometric Voters exercise which got under way a week ago has not only witnessed a high level of patronage from voters, but serious technological challenges slowing the whole exercise nationwide.
Despite assertion by the principal public relations of the Electoral Commission, Ms Sylvai Annor that officials of the EC has been given the adequate logistical training to operate the equipments, there has been loads of complaints across country of poor handling of equipments, limited technical knowhow and lack of service training by alleged trained officials of EC. Malfunctions of printers, automated thumb print machines, digital cameras and laptop computers have been in the news from over 6,000 registration centers.
A visit by BiztechAfrica to some of the registration centers at the Ablekuma Central Constituency revealed the frustration some trained officials of the EC have to go through with even the fixing and operating these digital machines at their disposal.
With the regular occurrence of these unfortunate developments, it is feared by majority of Ghanaian especially political groups in the country that the biometric registration exercise might end up been a fiasco.
A consultant on biometric applications, Dr. Ahmed Gedel told journalists reasons why the registration is marred by these technical irregularities. He attributes it to the current climatic in the country and the inadequate training of officials conducting the exercise. “Because the kit operators were not “well trained” there are some lapses in their work.

Dr. Gedel further observed that some kit operators keep piling pressure on the printers used for the registration exercise thus leading to their malfunctioning. “Some of them (kit operators) instead of issuing one command for printing, some of them go to issue two, three, four and eventually the printer gets locked up because of too much information sent”
But in spite of all these difficulties the program is under going through, the chairman of the Electoral Commission, Dr. Kwadwo Afari Djan believes strongly that the first phase of the exercise will end successfully.

Nana Appiah Acquaye

TIGO GIVES CHILDREN A REASON TO SMILE DURING EASTER


Tigo Ghana extended its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to some orphanage and under privileged homes in Accra during the Easter festive season, where it treated over 200 kids from Osu Children’s Home, Street Academy and AbaCode to an exciting two- hour show at the first ever Circus in Ghana.
It was amazing to watch the delight and excitement on the faces of these kids as they made their way into the circus grounds to watch amazing motor bikes stunts, fantastic acrobats and breath-taking animal entertainment. The applause and shouts from the kids as the show went on was enough testimony of the good time they were having.
Mr. Tenu Awoonor, Head of Marketing Services for Tigo Ghana told BiztechAfrica Tigo is proud to associate itself with the Italian National Circus to put smiles on the faces of these children.“Tigo is proud to be associated with the Italian National Circus’ first ever visit to Ghana and as part of Tigo’s efforts to make this experience a lasting one on Ghanaians, we are happy to give these children the Easter experience they otherwise would not have had. Inspiring the lives of children and putting smiles on their faces on such a day is an honor for Tigo.”
Mr. Awoonor further added that Supporting Communities and Improving Lives is still a major key in all Tigo’s CSR projects with uplifting children being the main focus.
Each child went home with a Tigo gift pack after all the fun and excitement at the circus. It was a memorable day for the children who hardly enjoy such moments.
Marie-Eve Lemeux, the Head of AbaCode Ghana, Ataa Lartey Head of the Street Academy and the leadership of the Osu Children’s Home expressed their gratitude to Tigo for granting these children an Easter treat since they rarely get such opportunities. They jointly urged other corporate organizations to emulate Tigo’s example.Tigo has once again succeeded in putting smiles on the faces of these children and given them yet another unforgettable day in their lives.


Nana Appiah Acquaye