Best of Ghana vol 2

BEST OF

GHANA V o l u m e

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G l o b a l V i l l a g e . w o r l d

Publisher’s Foreword

“Best of Ghana” Volume 2 is a renewal of confidence in the country’s great visions.

This showcase of Ghanaian opportunity delves into the best offerings across the sectors of business, industry and tourism - sharing it with the world on the Global Village platform.

A stable and peaceful nation, Ghana’s heritage is a legacy of ancient human will and determination.

This is most keenly noted in having overcome the atrocities of the slave trade. Compelling reminders are dotted around the picturesque coastline in the forms of colonial forts. Now a major part of the country’s tourist agenda, together with the adjoining picturesque beaches, this dark past has given way to a bright future.

Part of this future is the country’s vision for a Better Ghana. The Better Ghana Agenda is aligned with the Millennium Development Goals, which laid the foundation for Vision 2020. The Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda (GSGDA) works on a carefully crafted policy framework which focuses on desired social and economic development outcomes. The overall vision is for transformation of the lives of all Ghanaians.

As one of the fastest growing economies in Africa, Ghana is considered to be one of the continent’s most stable democracies. Its land has also produced yields enabling it to become one of the world’s top agricultural performers and the sector forms the base of the country’s recent upward growth trajectory.

From this, together with growth in the Oil and Gas sector due to new finds, Ghana has recorded impressive growth and record-breaking poverty

reduction over the last two decades. It is also proud to stand firm as a beacon for leadership in Africa.

The second edition of ‘Best of Ghana’ recaptures the spirit of Ghana. This compilation creates an overall profile of the face of Ghana – her land and its people. This visual celebration is a showcase of her success as a lasting legacy.

This yearly publication is part of the Global Village Partnership’s publishing model that now extends across over 60 countries. To complement the readership of our print model we are also present on www.GlobalVillage.world and the www.ProudlyAfrican.info portal where millions of international readers have access to a virtual copy of ‘Best of Ghana’ volume 2.

Our sincere thanks once again go to the participants who represent the best in their industries. These are the people, companies and organisations helping shape Ghana’s ever-bright future.

We hope that ‘Best of Ghana’ Volume 2 will renew interest in the country and illuminate the great strides being made.

Proudly African - Connecting Minds Building Communities

Magda Ideias – Ghana Publishing Partner 4

Best of Ghana

Contact details: In partnership with Global Village Partnerships: Email: info@GVPedia.com www.GlobalVillage.world | www.ProudlyAfrican.info Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in ‘Best of Ghana’ vol.2. Neither ‘Best of Ghana’ nor GVPedia Communications cc assume any responsibility for errors, omissions or submissions by participators.

The editor reserves the right to amend and alter copy and visual material as deemed necessary.

All rights reserved: No part of this publication shall be reproduced, copied, transmitted, adapted or modified in any form or by any means. This publication shall not be stored in whole or in part in any form in any retrieval system.

International Group Publisher Sven Boermeester Africa Group Publisher Thapelo Letsholo Ghana Publishing Partner Magda Ideias Project Manager & Production Gia Bischofberger - GVPedia Communications cc Managing Editor Rebecca Lovett Webmaster Werner ten Krooden Printing Wizardz Print & Design

Sales Team from left to right: Sofia Fragata, Elsa Lopes & Silvia Valverde

Thapelo Letsholo

Sven Boermeester

Gia Bischofberger

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“Our aim is to be the domestic market leader and acheive sustainable and profitable growth.�

United Steel Company Limited (USC) was formed on the 8th of July, 2004 to produce and sell quality assorted steel products after a search was conducted to ascertain the viability of the steel industry in Ghana. The search revealed that the steel market goes beyond the local environment and that; other West African countries are large consumers of steel products from Far East and some European countries.

Products: The iron and steel products that our company will continue to offer as it moves ahead toward a bright future include: Iron Rods; Wire Rods; Square Bars; Square Pipes; Rectangle; Pipes; etc.

United Steel Company LTD Tema Free Zones Enclave Aflao Road, SK 1070, Tema – Ghana Tel: +233 242 22 22 76 unitedsteelgh.net

PROUDLY AFRICAN BUILDING COMMUNITIES - CONNECTING MINDS

Proudly African is an initiative of GlobalVillage.world which is a AFRICA

www.ProudlyAfrican.info

Volume 5 • 2013 DIPLOMAT AFRICA

OHADA: Celebrating 20 Years In 2013 AFCCA: Connects Intra-African Construction

marketing and business platform geared towards showcasing and harmonising Africa’s development, trade and cultural diversity to a global audience.

BOTSWANA: Beyond Vision 2016 AFRICA WANTS: TRADE not AID

This is where the BEST OF AFRICA in business, government and non-

Volume 5 • 2013 • www.ProudlyAfrican.info

profit organisations unite, promoting their vision and best practice in order to find the right customers, partnerships and joint ventures.

PROMOTING ECONOMIC GROWTH AND SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH LEADERSHIP, DIPLOMACY AND TRADE

View all books online, more than 4 million readers worldwide 8

Best of Ghana

LEADERSHIP

VOLUME 2

TANZANIA

SHARING KNOWLEDGE, VISION & INSPIRATION

www.ProudlyAfrican.info

BASHI

GAETSALOE

leaders in aviation

LEADERS IN NATURAL RESOURCES ENERGY, MINING & CONSTRUCTION

“THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND TANZANIA’S ECONOMIC GROWTH”

africa

DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY AT THE HELM OF BDC

global village .world Connecting minds - building communities

PROUDLY AFRICAN

Boosting Inter-trade & Cultural Relations across the continent

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The initiative has an unstoppable magnetic presence with its ever growing country and sectoral window already in over 25 African states. We invite all leaders in business and government across Africa to showcase and integrate their visions and activities so as to promote inter-Africa trade, investment and skills transfer from around the globe.

We are an ever growing tribe of media entrepreneurs, colleagues and friends that publish the “Best of” the World and “Leaders” in Industry series of books both in print and online. In today’s worldwide market, every country, city and region must compete with others for a share of the world’s skilled work force, top entrepreneurs, tourists, exports, and investors.

Please join us in promoting your country as we make the Globe our Village.

Email: info@globalvillage.world

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ChapterS

Chapter 2

Chapter 1

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Hotels and Lodges

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Icons of Ghana

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Medical Healthcare

Chapter 4

Chapter 3

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Education

Insurance 54

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Banking and Finance SPEED

Chapter 5

SECURITY

Chapter 6

SERVICE

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Building and Architecture

Chapter 8

Chapter 7

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Real Estate

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Chapter 9 12

Mining and Minerals

Chapter 10

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Construction and Engineering

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Retail

Chapter 12

Chapter 11

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Automotive, Motoring and Logistics

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Farming and Agribusiness

Chapter 14

Chapter 13

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Industry and Manufacturing

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Oil and Gas

Chapter 16

Chapter 15

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Energy

Technology and Communications 54

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Computers, Electronics and Mobiles

Chapter 18

Chapter 17

AFRICA

Chapter 19

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Corporate Profiles

GHANA Best of Ghana

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Ghana at a Glance Full Name: Republic of Ghana Capital: Accra Motto: “Freedom and Justice” National Anthem: “God Bless our Homeland Ghana” President: John Dramani Mahama Independence Day: 6 March 1957 Type of Government: Constitutional Republic (Unitary State) Area: 239,460 sq. km Neighbours: A sub-Saharan, West African country on the Gulf of Guinea – Ghana shares borders with Burkina Faso in the north, Togo in the east, Cote d’Ivore in the west, and the Atlantic Ocean in the south.

Regions: Western, Central, Greater Accra, Volta, Eastern, Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Northern, Upper East, Upper West Population: 25.9 million (2013) Main Languages: English (primary), Akan (national) Main Religions: Christian (71%), Muslim (18%), Traditional (5%) Main Exports: Gold, cocoa beans, timber products, tuna, bauxite, aluminium, manganese ore, diamonds and horticulture.

Natural Resources: diamonds, cocoa

Petroleum,

natural

gas,

gold,

Monetary Unit: Ghanaian cedi GDP: US$48.14-billion (2013) Time Zone: UTC+0 Dialling Code: +233 Politics The British colonies Gold Coast and Togoland adopted the name Ghana, which means Warrior King, when merging their colonies to form a single country. Ghana was the first sub-Saharan country to gain its independence from Britain in 1957.

Ghana’s constitution is anchored in its democracy, which has maintained stability across the nation. Elections over the last two decades have been characterised by peaceful transitions of power. The numerous Ghanaian ethnic groups have managed to coexist without much tension.

In January 1993, military government gave way to the Fourth Republic after presidential and parliamentary elections in late 1992. The 1992 constitution divides powers

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among a president, parliament, cabinet, council of state, and an independent judiciary. The government is elected by universal suffrage.

In the 7 December 2008 elections, John Evans Atta Mills won the votes and was sworn-in as president in 2009.

President Atta Mills died on 24 July 2012 after serving three and half years of his four-year mandate, tragically becoming the first sitting president to have died while still serving.

According to the Constitution of Ghana, Vice President John Dramani Mahama was sworn in as the President of the Republic of Ghana. He served the remaining term of the Late President and was subsequently re-elected in the December 2012 polls.

President: John Dramani Mahama

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Political parties There are 20 political parties under the Fourth Republic. The main ones are: the National Democratic Congress (successor

to Jerry John Rawlings’ original ruling organ Provisional National Defence Council, which has been incumbent for 32 years between 1981 to the present); the New Patriotic Party (founded in 1992, which was incumbent for eight years, winning elections in 2000 and 2004); the People’s National Convention; and the Convention People’s Party (which was incumbent for 10 years, from declaration of independence in 1957 to 1966).

Legal system The legal system is based on British common law, customary (traditional) law, and the 1992 constitution. Court hierarchy consists of Supreme Court of Ghana (highest court), courts of appeal, and high courts of justice. Beneath these bodies are circuit, magisterial, and traditional courts.

Extrajudicial institutions include public tribunals.

Economy The economy of Ghana has a diverse and rich resource base, with manufacturing and export of digital technology, automotive, shipping, as well as hydrocarbons and industrial minerals, among others. Ghana attained one of the highest GDPs per capita in Africa and is one of the top-five fastest growing economies on the continent.

The Ghana Stock Exchange is the thirdlargest in Africa with a market capitalisation of GH¢ 57.2-billion in 2012.

GDP growth for 2014 was estimated at 5.1%. The industrial sector recorded the highest growth rate (8.1%), followed by agriculture (4.4%) and services (3.5%).

The main growth drivers were financial and insurance activities (up 36.0%); information and communication (16.9%); fishing (15.5%); public administration (15.1%) and mining and quarrying (up by 14.2%).

Decisions on how to spend the country’s increasing oil revenue, projected at several

billion US dollars (USD) over the next two decades, will be crucial to future economic transformation. Plans are strategically outlined in Ghana’s Vision 2020 as well as the Better Ghana Agenda.

Ghana has made significant progress towards attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of the eradication of extreme poverty, universal primary education, promotion of gender equality, empowerment of women, and combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. Ghana has been classified as a low-middle income country by the World Bank since 2010.

Geography The geographic coordinates 0°, 0°, is located just off the coast of Accra, essentially making Ghana the country closest to the centre of the Earth.

Ghana’s varied and picturesque landscape consists of plains, low hills,

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and rivers. Major features include Lake Volta (the world’s largest artificial lake), Dodi Island and Bobowasi Island on the South Atlantic Ocean coast of Ghana.

Ghana can be divided into four different geographical ecoregions: the low, sandy coastline flanked by plains and scrub, intersected by numerous rivers and streams; northern Ghana features high plains; Southwest and south-central Ghana is made up of a forested plateau - the Ashanti uplands and the Kwahu Plateau; and the eastern border features the hilly Akwapim-Togo ranges.

Climate varies across the country accordance with the change in landscape. The Volta Basin takes up most of south-central Ghana.

The climate is tropical and the eastern coastal belt is warm and comparatively dry. The south-west corner of Ghana is hot and humid, and the north of Ghana is hot and dry.

South Ghana has evergreen and semi-

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are one of Ghana’s major ethnic groups.

The Ashanti region is known as the centre of Ghana’s cocoa production as well as much of the country’s goldmining industry.

• Capital: Kumasi • Area: 24,889km² • Population: 4,780,380

deciduous forests with trees including mahogany, odum, ebony and much of Ghana’s oil palms and mangroves.

Northern Ghana has trees including Shea trees, baobabs and acacias. Two rainy seasons occur from April to July and September to November. In the north the rainy season begins in April and lasts until September. Annual rainfall can reach about 1,100mm in the north to about 2,100mm in the southeast.

The average annual temperature is about 26°C. The dry desert harmattan wind blows from the northeast from December to March, which lowers humidity with hot days and cool nights in the north. Highest temperatures occur in March with the lowest in August.

• BRONG AHAFO REGION - The Brong Ahafo Region was created on 4 April 1959 - consisting of the northern and the western part of the old Ashanti Region, and including the Prang and Yeji areas.

• Capital: Sunyani • Area: 39,557km² • Population: 2,310,983

The Ten Administrative Regions of Ghana • ASHANTI REGION - The Ashanti tribe

• CENTRAL REGION - With 168 kilometres of Atlantic Ocean coastline

to the South, part of the Gulf of Guinea, the Central Region occupies 4.1% of Ghana’s land area. It is the third smallest region in Ghana.

• Capital: Cape Coast • Area: 9,826km² • Population: 2,376,021 • EASTERN REGION - The Eastern Region occupies 8.1% of the total land area of Ghana and is the sixth largest region and the third most populous region.

• Capital: Koforidua • Area: 19,323km² • Population: 2,633,154 • GREATER ACCRA - The Greater Accra Region is the smallest of the 10 administrative regions in terms of area, but the second most populated region.

It is home of the seat of government in

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the capital city, Accra.

• Capital: Accra • Area: 3,245km² • Population: 4,010,054 • NORTHERN REGION - Ghana’s largest region in size, the Northern Region shares borders with two countries - the Republic of Togo in the East and Cote d’ Ivoire in the West.

• Capital: Tamale • Area: 70,384km² • Population: 2,479,461 • UPPER EAST - The Upper East Region borders Burkina Faso and Togo. The capital is often shortened to Bolga with other notable cities including Bawku and Navrongo.

• Capital: Bolgatanga • Area: 8,842km² • Population: 1,046,545 • UPPER WEST - The Upper West Region borders Burkina Faso and Cote d’Ivoire. Other notable towns include Nandom, Daffiema, Jirapa, Kaleo, Nadowli, Lawra and Tumu.

• Capital: Wa • Area: 18,476km² • Population: 702,110

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• VOLTA REGION - Volta Region lies between Lake Volta to the West, the Republic of Togo to the East, and the Atlantic Ocean to the South. It spans across all Ghana’s vegetation zones.

• Capital: Ho • Area: 20,570km² • Population: 2,118,252 • WESTERN REGION - Around 75% of the Region’s vegetation lies within the high forest zone and is the wettest part of Ghana. Cape Three Points is Ghana’s most southern point.

• Capital: Sekondi-Takoradi • Area: 23,921km² • Population: 2,376,021 Culture Ghana pulsates with a unique daily rhythm – from the bustle of life in downtown Accra, the atmosphere of the adobe villages in the north, the ancient Asante Kingdom, and the mediaeval buildings of Larabanga and Bole.

The country’s vast cultural diversity is both thrilling and fascinating.

There are over 100 ethnic groups living

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in Ghana. The majority of Ghanaian people live in southern Ghana. The largest are Akan, Moshi-Dagbani, Ewe, and Ga. The Ashanti tribe of the Akan are the largest tribe and one of the few societies in West Africa where lineage is traced through the mother and maternal ancestors. Once famous for the luxury and wealth of their rulers, they are now better known for their craftwork such as hand-carved stools, fertility dolls, and ‘kente’ cloth. Kente cloth is cotton woven in bright, narrow strips with complex patterns.

Major tribes or ethnic groups are: Akan (45.3%), MoleDagbon (15.2%), Ewe (11.7%), Ga-Dangme (7.3%), Guan (4%), Gurma (3.6%), Grusi (2.6%), Mande-Busanga (1%), other tribes (1.4%), and other non-tribal (7.8%). The main religions practised in Ghana include: Christian (68.8%), Muslim (15.9%), traditional (8.5%), other (0.7%), and none (6.1%).

Languages English is the official language of Ghana and the primary language for education. The indigenous Akan language is the national language and taught in school as a local language. Akan contains various dialects and is rich in proverbs - a sign of wisdom.

There are many different figures for the number of languages in Ghana due to different classifications of varieties as either languages or dialects. Nine languages have government status: Akan, Dagaare/Wale, Dagbane, Dangme, Ewe, Ga, Gonja, Kasem, and Nzema. Twi and Fante (dialects of Akan) are also widely-spoken in Ghana.

Hausa is used as a lingua franca by Muslims in Ghana.

Art and music Ghanaian craft includes Kente cloth, brass castings, stamped Adinkra funeral cloth, carved wood stools

and royal arts. They use drums in ceremonies with tone patterns matching the beats of the spoken messages, allowing the drums to “speak.”

There are three distinct types of Ghanaian music: traditional festival music, “highlife” music which blends traditional and ‘imported’ music, and choral music.

Food Traditional cuisine is comprised of a starchy portion, a sauce or soup, with fish, seafood, meat or mushrooms.

The south typically sees staples of cassava and plantain.

The north sees staples of millet and sorghum – with yam, maize, beans, sweet potatoes and cocoyam used across Ghana. Rice and wheat have increasingly been incorporated into Ghanaian cuisine.

Most Ghanaian dishes are served with a stew, soup or a spicy condiment made from raw red and green chilies, onions and tomatoes (pepper sauce). Flavours, spices and textures vary widely but can include exotic ingredients.

Vegetables such as palm nuts, groundnuts (peanuts), cocoyam leaves, ayoyo, spinach, wild mushroom, okra, garden eggs (eggplant), tomatoes and various types of pulses are the main ingredients in Ghanaian dishes.

Beef, pork, goat, sheep, chicken, and fish are common sources of protein in Ghanaian food. It is also common to find more exotic meat and seafood in Ghanaian dishes.

Breakfast staples include oats, rice porridge (locally called rice water) or kooko (fermented maize porridge) and koose/akara or maasa (rice, banana and maize meal fritters). Other breakfast foods include grits, tombrown (roasted maize porridge), and millet porridge.

Ghanaian bread is known for its good quality and is baked with wheat flour and sometimes cassava flour.

There are four types of bread in Ghana - tea bread (similar Best of Ghana

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to baguette), sugar bread (a sweet bread), brown (whole wheat) bread, and butter bread.

Street foods are very popular in Ghana both in the rural and urban areas. Some of these foods include staple foods such as kenkey, tubaani and waakye. Other savoury foods include kebab, boiled corn cob, bofrot and roasted plantain.

Festivals Ghanaian festivals are a colourful and vibrant part of the culture. Each year festivals and durbars are held in various parts of the country to celebrate the heritage of the people. A common feature of Ghanaian culture is a love of festivals. Common personal events such as funerals, name-giving ceremonies and weddings also tend to be imbued with a festival-like atmosphere.

The Panafest celebrates roots and heritage.

The Nyidwoo festival of the Esumegya people helps them learn more about their origin. The Homowo Festival reminds the people of GaAdangme how they came out of hunger by settling at their present-day area.

Tourism Ghana’s diverse tourism offerings range from natural attractions, historical heritage to vibrant culture. The country is renowned for its warm African hospitality. The best places to visit include the castles and forts used during the

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MONUSCO

slave trade, Accra, Kumasi, the Mole and Kakum National Parks, and Busua and Kokrobite beaches.

Ghana offers a string of coastal forts, such as Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle – which are lasting reminders of the slave trade.

Insights into the colonial period and the path to independence are offered by visiting the Nkrumah Mausoleum and the National Museum in Accra. This can be combined with a walk through colonial neighbourhoods and fishing communities of James and Usher town, as well as the Cultural Centre.

The traditional weaving villages of Kpotoe, Daboya or Bonwire or the pottery and art village of Sirigu and wood carving section in Aburi or Kpandu offer rich craft experiences.

Climbing to the top of Mount Afadjatoe, Mount Gemi or the Breast Mountains in Kyabobo Natural Park offer dramatic panoramic scenery from the highest peaks in the Volta Region.

Picturesque waterfalls include the Tagbo Falls, Wli Falls, and Ote Falls.

Mole National Park offers foot safaris to view elephants, crocodiles and antelopes. The Black Volta River offers an abundance of hippos, while canoeing on the Amansuri Lagoon offers a visit to the extraordinary stilt village of Nzulezo. The Xavi Bird Watching Sanctuary is ideal for bird-lovers.

Giant Baobab trees offer much-needed shade during hikes through the rock formations around the Bongo village. For adventure seekers, the sacred caves of Tano provide a thrilling climbing experience.

Ghana is renowned for its beautiful exotic beaches. These are mostly found around Busua, Elmina and Ada. Favourite beaches include Ko-Sa Beach Resort, Green Turtle Lodge, and Ellis Hideout.

Lake Volta is a haven of serenity and one of its greatest but most simple experiences for visitors is sampling freshly caught grilled tilapia fish along the Lake’s shoreline. This can be done at Aloy’s Bay, Xofa village, and Rainbow Gardens at Lake Bosumtwi.

www.ghana.gov.gh www.ghanaweb.com www.ghanaembassy.org Best of Ghana 27 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghana www.afdb.org www.ghana.travel

Top 10 Attractions in Ghana 1. Cape Coast Castle This slave-trade castle is the most impressive of Ghana’s numerous old forts.

It was built in 1637 by the Dutch, expanded by the Swedes and then taken control of by the British in 1664 – becoming their colonial headquarters for 200 years. Now a museum, tours can be taken of the dungeons and the infamous “door of no return”.

2. Elmina and St George’s Castle Elmina is a picturesque fishing town along Ghana’s coast. It is home to St George’s Castle - one of Ghana’s biggest attractions.

It was built by the Portuguese in 1482. The Castle houses a small museum and guided tours are available. The stark exterior of the Castle’s white-washed walls contrasts with its dark slave history.

3. Accra, Ghana’s Capital Accra is one of Africa’s safer capitals. The central hub is around the Makola Market; just south of the market is the Atlantic ocean. The National Museum has wonderful displays about Ghana’s culture and history

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including the slave-trade and Ashanti Kingdom. Nice beaches include Labadi Beach, Coco Beach and Bojo Beach.

4. Kakum National Park This dense tropical rainforest in southern Ghana is home to over 40 species of larger mammals including forest elephants, forest buffalo, Mona-meerkats and civets. There are over 250 species of birds living in the forest. The highlight is the Canopy Walkway built 30m above ground which crosses several bridges and is over 350m long.

5. Mole National Park Ghana’s largest wildlife park, located in north western Ghana, Mole offers buffalo, antelope, elephants, warthogs, hyenas and the elusive leopard. Lions have recently been re-introduced. There are over 250 species of birds to view. The best viewing time is during the dry season from January to March, when wildlife congregates around water sources.

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6. Kokrobite Beach The most popular of Ghana’s lovely beaches are those around Kokrobite and Langma. Kokrobite is 30km from Accra. Its main attraction is the excellent Academy of African Music and Art (AAMA) founded by master drummer Mustapha Tettey Addy – attracting performers from around the world.

8. Busua Beach Busua is one of Ghana’s best beaches and offers the visitor a chance to relax, paddle around in the Atlantic and enjoy some lobster. There are several hotels along the beach front ranging from luxurious to simple. Princess Town a little further to the west along the coast offers a more secluded option.

7. Kumasi The former capital of the Ashanti Kingdom in southern-central Ghana, Kumasi is Ghana’s second largest city. The Ashanti are famous artisans, their gold jewellery and trinkets are famous throughout the world, as is their Kente cloth and wood-carved stools. Kumasi houses the National Culture Centre, Kejetia Market and Manhyia Palace Museum.

9. Nzulezo Nzulezo is a village built on stilts in the marshy Amansuri Lagoon. This is a unique little fishing community, far from the hustle and bustle of daily Ghanaian life and only reached by canoe, available from Beyin Village (two hours’ drive from Axim). The Ghana Wildlife Society can help you make arrangements.

10. Lake Volta Lake Volta is the largest man-made lake (reservoir) in the world. A passenger boat, the Yapei Queen runs the entire length of the lake extending from the Akosombo Dam in south-eastern Ghana to the town of Yapei, some 400km to the north. The lake generates electricity, provides inland transport, and is a potentially valuable resource for irrigation and fish farming.

www.ghana.gov.gh www.ghanaweb.com

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Top 10 reasons to invest in Ghana Ghana’s wealth of resources, democratic political system and dynamic economy, make it one of Africa’s frontrunners for investment.

The last few years have begun to see an inflow of new foreign direct investment into Ghana, after the nation has managed to gain the world’s confidence. Investors have been attracted by the country’s visibility, strategic positioning, peace and political stability.

In 2009, Ghana was ranked as the most preferred business destination in sub-Saharan Africa for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) business in the AT Kearney Global Services Location Index.

The ranking is based on a country’s ability to handle business in three areas - financial attractiveness, people skills and availability, and business environment.

The 2009 “Outsourcing to Africa Report” also recognised Ghana as ready

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and upcoming in infrastructure status for outsourcing.

With the attention of prominent international businesses investing in all sectors of Ghana’s economy, the country has a social, political and economic environment conducive for investment.

Another drawcard is that Ghana is ideal as a launchpad for businesses’ entrance into West African markets. Entry requirements into Ghana are conducive for business to thrive.

1. Welcoming spirit Ghana maintains its well-deserved reputation for unparalleled hospitality.

As soon as one lands at the airport in Accra they are greeted with the

words “Welcome Home”. This open-arm policy of the Ghanaian people extends into government and business – where investors are encouraged through easeof-access interventions.

The Ghanaian people are its greatest resource and their entrepreneurial spirit is arguably the greatest on the continent.

The country invests in its people, which is reason enough to invest in the country. Any problem needing to be solved in Ghana is met with a legion of ready entrepreneurs – which thankfully Ghana has a surplus of.

2. Doing business Ghana has recently embarked on an ambitious but achievable reform programme to improve the investment climate for both local and international investors. These efforts have earned Ghana the recognition by the World Bank Doing Business Report 2014 as the “Best Place for Doing Business in the ECOWAS Region”.

3. Booming economy After enormous economic growth of 14.5% in 2011, followed by a still impressive 7.9% in 2012, the last three years have seen sustained albeit slowing growth of 7.3% in 2013, 4.2% in 2014, and 3.9% in 2015. Ghana has continued to grow steadily year on year – even during the global economic downturn.

However, growth is expected to recover in 2016 with a projection of 6% due to oil and gas production, private sector investment, improved public infrastructure and political stability.

4. Oil boom Mineral deposits including gold and diamonds abound, and with the discovery of oil, Ghana’s famous black star has never shone brighter. Oil has been the major catalyst for investment, creating an export hub for much of Ghana’s resources in Takoradi city. New developments and

growth in infrastructure are burgeoning as a result. Building on significant natural resources, the Ghanaian Nation is committed to improving its physical infrastructure.

Ghana’s oil boom is a great addition to one of Africa’s most active small and medium enterprise (SME) economies.

5. Real Estate Rising real estate values come handin-hand with a burgeoning oil and gas markets, with relentless returns. This is evident in Ghana as areas around downtown Accra are seeing an influx in construction and development through foreign investment.

Improvements in consumer financing and mortgages in the banking sector have added to the opportunities for residential and commercial real estate.

6. Financial services The Banking Act in 2007 laid the foundation for great improvements in the financial services industry, such as the recent integration of banking ATMs among nine banks. With increasing demand from the energy, mining, oil & gas, and telecommunications sectors, corporate banking and finance units are an area for potential investment. International trade is thriving and capital investment is needed to maintain growth and meet the everincreasing needs of consumers.

7. Telecommunications After being liberalised and reformed, Ghana’s telecommunications sector is fast gaining ground through innovation and dynamism. It services some of the most diverse customers in the world. Recently, mobile penetration surpassed 100% with mobile phone ownership approaching 16 million, including multiple sim users. There is also ample opportunity for growing this market in Ghana.

The market continues to grow

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aggressively in all segments, particularly, in the telephony space. Over the last few years, the market uptake has been growing at a compound average growth rate of between 62% and 58%.

Ghana’s six cellular network operators are Scancom Ghana Limited (MTN), Vodafone Ghana Limited, Millicom Ghana Limited (Tigo), Airtel Communication, Expresso and Globacom Ghana Limited (Glo).

8. Industrial Ghana is an industrial leader in Africa and is more advanced than many other African countries – but still holds great potential for further growth. Pipeline manufacturing for the oil and gas sector needs to meet the demand - and efficiency, speed and precision quality will see great returns for investment.

New companies are working to manufacture agricultural inputs locally and there is great potential to become a car manufacturing country. At the centre of industry development in Ghana is the potential of gas liquefaction. With more capital, the potential of the overall industrial sector in Ghana is endless.

9. ICT Internet usage, particularly in the private sector, has grown rapidly in Ghana – indicating that the internet has become an important tool for business. ICT infrastructure in Ghana is progressing better than other low-income countries and above average for sub-Saharan Africa. Since February 2004, the Government of Ghana has implemented an ICT development policy with 14 priority areas.

The Kofi Annan ICT Centre of Excellence is a joint project between

Ghana and India and aims to produce the human resource capacity necessary for Ghana’s emerging ICT industry.

Various investments in ICT infrastructure by existing Internet Service Providers and telecommunication companies are improving communication service delivery.

The Government also recently signed an agreement with Microsoft Corporation to provide resources for improvement in Ghana’s ICT education.

A host of foreign companies have been attracted to Ghana, including Vodafone, Affiliated Computer Services, Data Management International Inc., Rising Data Solutions, Global Response, Busy Internet, AQ Solutions and Supra Telecom.

10. Tourism The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts is putting in place aggressive marketing strategies to promote the country’s tourism industry both locally and internationally. It has participated in international fairs which have yielded significant results.

The Ghana Tourism Authority has notably created the Ghana Cities Guide - a compact and handy pack containing print information, a video and a map of tourist attractions and investment opportunities in various regions of the country. The Guide is part of the new 15-year National Tourism Development Plan.

The Tourism Development Fund was set up in 2012 and is in operation. The Ministry is in a position to begin tackling its physical development and develop the sector sustainably.

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Accra Ghana’s bustling Capital City.

Accra is the administrative capital city of Ghana and it is the country’s seat of Government.

It is located along the coastal belt of Ghana and it is bordered to the North by the Ga West Municipal Assembly, to the South by the Gulf of Guinea, East by La Dade Kotonpon Municipal Assembly, and West

by Ga South Municipal Assembly.

The city of Accra in South-eastern Ghana has been the capital since 1877. It contains exemplary public buildings, which reflect its transition from colonial times to the modern metropolis it is today – now Ghana’s largest city.

History The area of Accra was first occupied by villages of the local Ga. The Dutch forced the Portuguese out in the 17th century and they formed the Ussher Town Trading Post.

The Danes and the English also founded rival trading posts at Christiansborg and James Town, respectively.

In the 19th century Britain purchased the Dutch and Danish rights in the area, making Christiansborg the capital of the Gold Coast

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Colony in 1876. The three separate towns grew and gradually joined - forming the city of Accra. Most of the modern layout was planned in the 1920s. Accra remained the capital city in 1957 when the Gold Coast Colony became the independent state of Ghana.

Industry It is an important commercial, manufacturing, and communications centre – and is the location of an international airport. As the centre of Ghana’s railroad system, Accra includes a link to nearby Tema, which is the city’s deep-water port. Industries include vehicle and appliance assembly, petroleum refining, and the manufacture of foodstuffs, textiles, metal and wood products, plastics, and pharmaceuticals.

Tourism Accra spans along the Atlantic coast and offers an endowment of luxury as well as great value hotels, excellent restaurants and night clubs. The Atlantic beaches are not only popular with locals, but also foreign visitors – such as La Pleasure and

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Kokrobite Beach. There are also numerous museums and public monuments, modern business and commercial areas, as well as busy markets.

The National Museum is a highlight and offers an impressive display of exhibits reflecting the heritage of Ghana. The National Theatre offers distinctive modern architecture. Other highlights include the National Cultural Centre, Independence Square, the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, the fishing port at James Town and Makola Market.

The University of Ghana at Legon is 14km north of Accra and its distinctive buildings are surrounded by tree-lined gardens. Accra presents multi-layers of modern, colonial, and traditional African architecture. A notable example is the 17th century Christiansborg Castle (residence of the chief of state).

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The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (A.M.A.) Accra as a local authority has been in existence since the colonial days. It was then known as the Accra City Council. However, in 1988 Accra became known as the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (A.M.A.).

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (A.M.A.) has 10 Sub-Metropolitan Councils: which are Osu Klottey, Ashiedu Keteke, Ablekuma South, Ablekuma North, Ablekuma Central, Okaikoi North, Okaikoi South, Ayawaso West,

Ayawaso East and Ayawaso Central. The A.M.A.’s mission is to improve the quality of life of the people of the city of Accra especially the poor, vulnerable and excluded by providing and maintaining basic services and facilities in the areas of education, health, sanitation and other social amenities, in the context of discipline, a sense of urgency and commitment to excellence. It envisions a New Accra; clean and environmentally sound.

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History of Ghana Since the first millennium BC, Ghana has been at the heart of sub-Saharan culture, such as metal-work, sculpting and agriculture.

For most of central sub-Saharan Africa, agricultural expansion marked the period before 500.

Before Independence on 6 March 1957, Ghana was called the Gold Coast. This was after the Portuguese, the earliest Europeans to arrive in the 15th century, discovered so much gold between the River Ankobra and the Volta, that they called it “da Mina”, which means “The Mine”. In 1482, the first castle was built in the Gold Coast by the Portuguese at Elmina.

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Pre Colonial Ghana Archaeological remains found in the coastal zone indicate that, the area has been inhabited since the Bronze Age (2000 BC).

Ancient Ghana was described as one of the three most organised states in the region. Its rulers were renowned for their wealth in gold, the opulence of their courts, and their warrior/ hunting skills.

The Republic of Ghana is named after the medieval West African Ghana Empire. The Empire broke up after a conquest in 1076.

The ancient Ghana Empire included territories in modern Senegal, Mauritania and Mali.

Modern Ghana was historically the core

of the Ashanti Empire - one of the most advanced states in sub-Sahara Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries, before colonial rule.

Colonial Ghana At the arrival of the Portuguese, many local inhabitants were compounding their newly acquired territories into a secure and settled environment.

The Portuguese rapidly became interested in trading gold, ivory and pepper. In 1482 the Portuguese built their first permanent trading post and fort on the western coast of Ghana SĂŁo Jorge da Mina (later Elmina Castle).

In 1598, the Dutch began trading on

the Gold Coast and they had built forts at Komenda and Kormantsi by 1612. Other European traders joined in by the mid-17th century - largely English, Danes, and Swedes.

The Gold Coast was the highest concentration of European military architecture away from Europe. Conflicts with local inhabitants often occurred.

The Dutch West India Company operated throughout most of the 18th century. The British African Company of Merchants was founded in 1750. The British took possession of all Dutch coastal forts by late 19th century - making them the dominant European power on the Gold Coast.

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British Gold Coast The 1806 Ashanti-Fante War resulted from nation-states creating various alliances with the colonial powers. This triggered an ongoing struggle by the Empire of Ashanti against the British, later resulting in the four Anglo-Asante Wars.

British rule was thereafter cemented with the eventual establishment of a Gold Coast colony in 1874.

Political History 1957 - Independence, Nkrumah of CPP is PM 1960 - Declared republic, one party system, presidential system 1966 - Military overthrow 1st republic 1969 - 2nd republic, Busia of PP is PM 1972 - Military overthrow 2nd republic 1978 - Palace coup to restructure military government 1979 - Junior officer uprising and military housecleaning 1979 - Ushered 3rd republic, Limann of PNP is President 1981 - Overthrow constitutional PNP by PNDC military junta 1983 - Attempted overthrow of PNDC by junior army men 1992 - Rawlings of NDC is elected as President 1996 - Rawlings of NDC is re-elected 2001 - Kuffour (NPP) is President 2005 - Kuffour begins second-term in office 2009 - John Evans Atta Mills (NDC) is President 2012 - John Dramani Mahama (NDC) sworn in as President after death of President Mills Independence Dr Kwame Nkrumah, a prominent leader of West African organisations in London, returned to Ghana as general secretary of the United Gold Coast Convention. In 1949 he broke away to form the Convention People’s Party with the slogan “Self-Government Now”.

In February 1951 the party was victorious at the polls and became leaders of Government business in the colony’s first African government. The Gold Coast had become the first British colony in Africa to achieve selfgovernment.

On 6 March 1957 Ghana achieved independence - the first British colony in Africa to do so - with Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah as its first Prime Minister. On 1 July 1960 it became a republic with Kwame Nkrumah as its first President.

Ghana spearheaded the political advancement of Africa and Dr Nkrumah laid the foundations for the unity.

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The Cultural Pulse of Ghana Ghanaian culture is deeply embedded in society and many aspects of community life are customarily celebrated. Customs and traditions span from centuries, often carrying historical significance.

A vast number of festivals occur annually or biannually, with different tribes and towns celebrating at different times throughout the year. These festivals often commemorate past events or certain groups and are often a way of seeking protection or blessing over the year ahead.

Festivals in Ghana are celebrated for many different reasons, such as to celebrate the farming season, for community spirit, to remember the gods and ancestors, or for religion.

Ghana is known worldwide for various traditional crafts. Just north of Kumasi, there is a string of villages, each specialising in a particular craft. Pankrono is known for pottery; Ahwiaa, woodcarving; Ntonso, adinkra cloth; and Bonwire, kente cloth.

Ghana is currently experiencing a surge of contemporary performing and visual arts.

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Different tribes within the ten regions of Ghana may vary slightly in their customs.

Traditional greetings may also vary among various ethnic groups.

Customs The family structure is very important in Ghanaian society and strong bonds are created between families. One’s family forms the central source of identity and loyalty, with a responsibility to uphold a family’s good name.

Ghanaian society is hierarchical and respect is given to age, experience, wealth, and position. Ghanaians are addressed by their academic, professional, or honorific title and surname.

Ghanaians are friendly people and often greet with a warm smile. Handshakes are the most common form of greeting and it is generally accepted to wait for a woman to extend her hand first. Elders and family heads should be greeted first.

Ghanaians enjoy entertaining in their homes and invitations are accepted as

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a sign of friendship. Ghanaians have relatively formal table manners. Eating only commences once the eldest male begins.

It is considered rude to rush a meeting and time should be taken to ask about one’s health, family and job. Eye contact should be maintained whilst greeting. A reserved yet polite demeanour should be maintained during meetings, although Ghanaians enjoy humour.

General Cultural Etiquette Rules • Greet from right to left. Always use your right hand for handshakes, to give and receive items, and to eat. • Ghanaians are welcoming and have a culture of sharing. On entering an area,

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•

• • •

•

always greet those there, as they will be waiting for you to do it first.

Never make derogatory remarks about religious, political or ethnic groups.

Ghana is tolerant and respectful of all its diverse tribes, religions and customs.

Everything has a value and should not be wasted. Offer anything to someone else who may need it.

Keep demeanour and dress proper.

If visiting a local chief in a rural village, remove your hat, keep hands out of pockets and do not cross your legs.

When invited to greet the chief, approach and bow slightly. Only shake hands if invited to do so. Be sure to bring a small gift, such as a bottle of schnapps.

Knowing a few words of the local Twi

language is suggested - ask how to say “Thank you” (may da say) and “How are you” (wo ho te sane).

Cultural attractions • Ahwiaa – A town specialising in wooden products such as stools, masks, fertility dolls etc. They portray Ghanaian culture, traditions, and beliefs.

• Asuofia - Asamang – Significant for the production of glass bead ornaments.

• Bonwire – Popular for Kente weaving, a colourful Ghanaian traditional fabric which is worn mostly on important occasions and celebrations.

• Foase Atwima – Specialises in wood carving of stools, masks, fertility dolls, and various sculptures.

• Ntonso – A settlement of Adinkra textiles printers, using traditional designs and symbols which are indicative of the religious, political and socio-cultural reasoning of the Asante’s.

• Odumase Krobo Bead Making Centres – Somanya and Odumase Krobo are recognised as bead making centres and there is a well-known bead market in Koforidua.

• Pankrono – Famous for its outstanding pottery, created without the use of the potter’s wheel.

• Traditional Cloth Making at Boama – 20km from Techiman, the village of Nsuta is famous for the production of Kyenkyen, a local folk weave cloth.

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CULTURAL FESTIVAL CALENDAR DATE 1 January

FESTIVAL

AREA/ ETHNIC GROUP/ REGION

MASQUERADING - Elaborate costumes, brass bands, CENTRAL WINNEBA large crowds, and a dance competition.

Last week PARAGBEILE - Thanksgiving harvest festivals. Farm TUMU – UPPER WEST January to first produce is displayed during music, dance and mirth. week February February

NYIGBLA – Commemoration of the Anlo-Ewe migration VOLTA - AFIFE, NEAR to this area. War dances, songs and bonfires with grand AKATSI procession of area chiefs.

6 March

INDEPENDENCE DAY – National Holiday THROUGHOUT GHANA commemorating independence of Ghana from the British Empire in 1957

March - April

KPLEDJOO - Ceremony to open Sakumo lagoon for TEMA/GREATER ACCRA fishing. Grand procession of chiefs.

April

BOBUM, OR DIPO - Initiation of girls into womanhood DANGME SHAI/ KROBO/EASTERN with beautiful adornments.

April

KALIBI SANKANA - Commemorates victory over slave UPPER WEST raiders.

May

ABOAKYER - Widely popular festival, drumming and WINNEBA/CENTRAL dancing.

June

OHUMKAN - Anniversary of Akyem Nation and EASTERN AKYEM, KYEBI thanksgiving for the harvest.

July

EDINA BAKATUE - Opening of the Lagoon, elaborate CENTRAL ELMINA rituals and royal processions, at river bank and on palanquins on the lagoon.

July - August

ASAFOTU-FIAM - Commemorates victories of warriors GREATER ACCRA, with procession of chiefs, historic re-enactments and ADA musketry firing.

July - August

DAMBA FESTIVALS - Celebrations coinciding with the new farming season when new yam is harvested.

Includes pageantry and showmanship. Procession on horseback amidst drumming and dancing.

August

YAA ASANTEWAA - Procession of chiefs and people ASHANTI EJISU pay homage to Yaa Asantewaa, the Ashanti war heroine who defeated the British.

NORTHERN, UPPER EAST, UPPER WEST (THROUGHOUT THE NORTHERN REGIONS)

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August

PANAFEST/EMANCIPATION - Large biennial event CAPE COAST/ELMINA/ of African culture; Theatre, music, cinema, poetry ADDIN MANSO and lectures with traditional processions.

August

KENTE FESTIVAL - Thousands attend to see VOLTA AGOTIME Kente-weaving competition, the crowning of Miss TRADITIONAL AREA Agbamevor (Miss Kente), and procession of chiefs.

September

FETU AFAHYE - Oguaa tribe’s adorning of new CAPE COAST, clothes, or Carnival. Large night procession of CENTRAL traditional leaders. Bakatue ceremony and boat race at the Fosu lagoon.

October

VELUKUSI - Commemorates the escape of the VOLTA, VE-DEME Ewes under the cruel King Aghorkoli in Togo. Reenactment of the escape - pouring water on a wall to break through and then walk backwards to hide the route. Display of rich traditional cloths and beads and a grand durbar of chiefs.

Last Saturday in October

WLI FALLS - Celebrate the waterfalls with ceremony VOLTA, WLI FALLS and pageantry; attracting many tourists.

November

KLOYO SIKPLEMI - Expedition to top of mountain EASTERN SOMANYA, where Krobo people were evicted by the British. YILO KROBO Procession of chiefs.

December

KWAFIE - Purification ceremonies with large BRONG AHAFO bonfires, commemorating the Dormaa ancestors DORMAA, BEREKUM, NSOATRE who brought fire to Ghana.

First Friday in December

FARMER’S DAY – National Holiday to “celebrate the THROUGHOUT GHANA farmer who feeds Ghana”.

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Entrepreneurship in Ghana Amendments to Ghana’s 1985 Investment Code have opened a wide range of new business opportunities. The 1994 Ghana Investment Promotion Act guarantees the freedom for non-Ghanaians to establish and run enterprises in potentially lucrative areas such as natural gas, hydropower projects, fruit and vegetable farming, food processing including fish canning, production of agro-chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and information technology.

The government’s ongoing privatisation initiatives also open up a number of sectors for new business partnerships and investment, notably the banking and the state petroleum and telecommunications sectors.

Tourism is an especially strong area for new business projects. The Government of Ghana estimates that tourism will generate over US$270-million annually after 1996.

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The Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) Founded by Norwegian Software entrepreneur Jorn Lyseggen in 2007, MEST helps train young, intelligent Ghanaians to become software entrepreneurs. Since then, 139 students have graduated and 13 companies have been founded by these people. Collectively, these companies now employ over 70 people.

Every year, MEST calls for applications for young, intelligent Ghanaian university graduates who are interested in technology, entrepreneurship and business. Of almost 1000 applications, Lyseggen and his team select 20 exceptional applicants.

These ‘Entrepreneurs in Training’ go through a rigorous two-year entrepreneurial training program in software development in a fast-paced, start-up style environment.

The final examinations see the students present an investor pitch to a committee

of Lyseggen, renowned venture capitalists and entrepreneurs.

They stand to receive seed funding from $30,000-$200,000 from MEST’s incubator and gain instant access to a global network of advisors and mentors.

Ghanaian Entrepreneurs • David Osei, co-founder and CEO of Dropifi: Dropifi is a web messaging platform which was named Best IT Startup in the world in the Kauffman Foundation’s Global Start-up Open for 2012.

• Kosi Yankey, founder of Nuba Foods and Commodities: A Ghanaian-based business that sources commodities from local farmers and supplies them to industries in West Africa. The company processes and markets a range of speciality

foods and works with over 100 local women and farmers.

• Dominic Adu, co-founder and CEO of Ghana Home Loans: Ghana Home Loans focuses exclusively on the provision of mortgage products to Ghanaians.

It operates under the supervision of the Bank of Ghana as a non-bank financial institution.

• Derrydean Dadzie, co-founder and CEO of DreamOval Limited: DreamOval develops internet and mobile software solutions and provides a payment platform for banks and telecom providers.

• Tonyi Senayah, founder of Horseman Shoes: A manufacturing company

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makes quality and fashionable leather footwear in Ghana.

• Elikem Nutifafa Kuenyehia, founder of Oxford & Beaumont: A corporate and commercial law firm in Ghana with offices in Accra and London, which has advised clients such as Coca-Cola, Goldman Sachs, Shell International, Vodafone and Citibank.

• Kofi Dadzie, co-founder of Rancard: Rancard offers mobile content solutions.

Its application, Rendezvous, is a social recommendation engine that delivers targeted content from clients.

• Gerard Yitamkey, co-founder and CEO of Ahonya: A Ghanaian start-up providing an e-commerce platform for electronics and computers.

Ten Rising Start-up Businesses in Ghana: • Dropifi Dropifi offers an intelligent contact form - a smart widget that helps businesses and companies better analyse, visualise and respond to incoming messages. Dropifi became the first African start-up to be accepted into 500 Startups.

• Orgaroo Orgaroo is a web and mobile application that allows event planners and people who

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coordinate conferences, official meetings, trips and other related activities to seamlessly organise itineraries, manage activities, and keep attendees on track with real-time updates.

• Afriyage Afriyage is a new mobile app that offers first-time or regular travellers to Africa personalised travel suggestions based on a traveller’s preferences and interests.

• Claimsync Claimsync is an end-to-end claims processing software that enables hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities all over the world to automate patients’ medical records and to process records electronically.

• RetailTower RetailTower’s e-commerce marketing software allows online merchants to easily list their online stores across all major comparison shopping engines thereby increasing exposure, driving traffic and improving sales.

• Trokxi Trokxi is a mobile and web-based application that provides estimated fares

for public transportation and destinations around the world, allowing you to adequately budget for your trip, as well as save money and time.

for Africa’s blue collar recruitment sector. mPawa provides companies and individuals with access to a pool of blue collar workers.

• FreelancePro.Me FreelancePro.Me is a website that allows freelance writers, programmers and designers to create a professional reputation profile by aggregating their testimonials on multiple freelance sites like odesk, freelancer, elance and LinkedIn on one singular platform.

• Saya Mobile Saya has developed a free group messaging application that works on feature phones with internet access. The app connects users with their phone contacts and Facebook friends.

• mPawa mPawa is a mobile application developed

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Ghana’s Iconic Figures

Kwame Nkrumah The lead authority on PanAfricanism who dedicated his life to unity in Africa Kwame Nkrumah was a Ghanaian nationalist leader who led the Gold Coast’s drive for independence from Britain and saw the new nation of Ghana emerge. He headed the country from independence in 1957 until he was overthrown by a coup in 1966.

Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, also known as Osagyefo, was born Francis Nwia-Kofi on 21 September 1909 in Nkroful, Western Region of Ghana. His father was Kofi Ngonloma of the Asona Clan and his mother was Elizabeth Nyanibah of the Anona Clan.

He attended Elementary School

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at Half Assini where his father worked as a goldsmith. The young Francis was mentored by Dr. Kwegyir Aggrey from the then Prince of Wales’ College at Achimota, where he obtained his Teacher’s Certificate.

Between 1931 and 1932, he was a teacher in various posts before attending Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, USA in 1935 - where he obtained two Bachelor of Arts and his Ph. D in 1943 and became a part-time lecturer. During this period, he helped to found the African Studies Association and the African Students Association of America and Canada. In 1945 he was voted Most Outstanding Professor-Of-The-Year by “The Lincolnian”.

In 1945, he moved to London to complete his thesis for a Doctorate but met George Padmore. As Co-Political

Secretaries, the two organised the Sixth Pan-African Congress in Manchester, England. After the Congress, Nkrumah continued work for de-colonisation of Africa and became Vice-President of West African Students Union.

In 1947, he wrote his first book, “Towards Colonial Freedom”. The same year he returned to Gold Coast and became General Secretary of United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC).

In 1949 he formed the Convention Peoples Party (CPP) with the Committee on Youth Organisation (CYO), a mass-based party that was committed to a program of self-government. In January 1950, Nkrumah initiated a campaign of “Positive Action,” involving nonviolent protests, strikes, and non-cooperation with the British colonial authorities.

After being arrested for riots in 1950, he won the first general election whilst still in prison in February 1951 with a vote of 22,780 from the 23,122 ballots cast, to take the Accra Central seat. He was released from prison to form the new Government.

In 1956, Nkrumah won the elections leading to independence, which was declared on 6 March 1957. As a driving force for independence across Africa, he held an All-African Peoples Conference in Accra in 1958, the first Pan-African conference to be held on African soil. He was married in the same year to Helena Ritz Fathia and together they had three children.

Ghana was declared a Republic in 1960. In May 1963, Nkrumah organised a conference of the 32 independent African States in Addis Ababa where the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) was formed.

Nkrumah’s popularity in the country rose, as new roads, schools, and health facilities were built and as the policy of “Africanization” created better career opportunities for Ghanaians. However, the more focused he became on Political Unity across Africa, the less involved he became in Ghanaian realities and the country began to slip into debt after years of prosperity.

After establishing a One Party State in 1964, Nkrumah was eventually overthrown in a Military Coup d’etat. He then lived in Conakry Guinea as Co-President. On 27 April 1972, Kwame Nkrumah died in Romania and was buried in Ghana.

Nkrumah authored over 20 books and publications.

He described himself as a “nondenominational Christian and a Marxist socialist.”

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Kofi Annan The 7th Secretary-General of the U.N. and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001.

Kofi A. Annan was born on 8 April 1938 in Kumasi, Ghana, as the grandson and nephew of three tribal chiefs. He studied international relations in the United States and Switzerland and started work as an international civil servant for the United Nations in 1962. He went on to become the U.N. SecretaryGeneral and later a special envoy to Syria.

In 1962, he worked as a budget officer for the World Health Organisation and has been an international civil servant ever since. He later also served with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, with the Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa, the UN Emergency Force (UNEF II) in Ismailia, and the United nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Geneva.

At UN Headquarters in New York, Mr. Annan held various senior positions, including human resources management (19871990), budget and finance (1990-1992), and peacekeeping (March 1992-December 1996). He also served as Director of Tourism in Ghana from 1974 to 1976.

Annan became UN Secretary General from January 1997 to December 2006, serving two terms. He was a constant advocate for human rights, the rule of law, the Millennium Development Goals and Africa In 2001, Annan was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize with the UN. He also received numerous honorary degrees, national and international prizes, medals and honours.

Annan founded the Kofi Annan Foundation in 2007 to promote better global governance. He is currently Chancellor of the University of Ghana. He is board member, patron and honorary member of a number of organisations.

In 2012, Annan published his widely acclaimed memoir, “Interventions: A Life in War and Peace�.

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Togbe Afede XIV Tribal King of Asogli State and Chairman of the World Trade Center Accra.

The Agbogbomefia Togbe Afede XIV was born at Ho in the Volta Region of Ghana on 23 April 1957 to the late Cpl. Patrick Akpo and Madam Rose Anyawoe, both from Ho Bankoe.

Afede earned his BSc in Administration (Accounting) from the University of Ghana, School of Administration, in Legon in 1979. He was awarded a substantial fellowship by Yale University and received his MBA from the Yale School of Management in May 1989.

Between 1979 and 1980, Afede did his national service at the bank for Housing and Construction. Afede lectured in Economics and Accounting at Sokoto State Polytechnic’s School

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of Management Studies in Nigeria from 1985 to 1987.

In 1989, Afede accepted an appointment as a lecturer at the School of Administration, University of Ghana until 1994 - while he co-founded Databank Financial Services, Ltd. and Strategic African Securities (SAS).

Afede is currently the CEO of Strategic Initiatives Ltd., a private equity and portfolio investment firm that he founded in 1999.

Afede has played a critical role in the development of Ghana’s capital markets - including the first stock market indices in 1991. The President appointed him to the board of the Bank of Ghana.

On 4 October 2003, the Kingmakers of Asogli State passed the mantle of King to Afede, as member of the Akpo Royal Family of Ho Bankoe. He provides the necessary inspiration and leadership for the development of Asogli State.

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Theodosia Salome Okoh The designer of Ghana’s national flag.

Theodosia Salome Okoh died at age 92 on 19 April 2015. She is a revered patriot and a national hero, best known for designing the national flag of Ghana at Independence in 1957. This design patterned the flags of many African countries as they also gained independence from colonial rule.

She is also famous in the world of Sports for her role as the first female chairman of the Ghana Hockey Association and later President of the Ghana Hockey Federation for more than 20 years, and it was during her tenure that Ghana first qualified for both the Hockey World Cup and the Olympic Games. It was also during this period that the national hockey pitch, now a modern Field Hockey Stadium, was acquired and built up. It was named after her in 2004. She was a patron of the Ghana Sports Writers’ Association of Ghana (SWAG) for several years.

Born on 13 June 1922 in the Asuogyaman District of Ghana’s Eastern Region, Okoh was a Ghanaian stateswoman, teacher and artist.

On Ghana’s Independence from Britain, the need for a new flag was advertised, and she submitted her design. It was then adopted as the national flag of Ghana by the country’s first president Kwame Nkrumah from 6 March 1957. She decided on the three colours of red, gold and green because of the geography of Ghana while the five-pointed lone star is a symbol of African emancipation and unity in the struggle against colonialism.

Theodosia Okoh was awarded the Grand Medal (GM) by the nation, and a number of awards from other institutions in the country. After her death, President John Dramani Mahama directed that all flags should fly at half-mast for three days, in her honour.

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www.ghanaweb.com www.poetryfoundationghana.org togbe-afede.com kofiannanfoundation.org www.un.org www.nobelprize.org www.biography.com

Azumah Nelson Former three-time world champion, Ghanaian Azumah Nelson is often described as Africa’s best boxer.

Born the year after Ghana’s independence in 1958, boxing legend Azumah Nelson played a major role in putting this new country on the world map.

Nelson’s glittering amateur career was studded with multiple titles, barring only an Olympic medal after Ghana boycotted the 1980 Games – the year he was a favourite to win. After turning professional in 1979, he took a last-minute bout for the world title with the great Salvador Sanchez - a fight that proved to be life-changing.

He went on to win the British Commonwealth’s Featherweight title that year.

His international renown was won in June 1982 with his fight with world Featherweight champion Salvador Sanchez at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Although he lost in the 15th round, his performance against such a formidable opponent impressed the international boxing scene.

In 1984, Nelson made history after beating Wilfredo Gomez to be crowned the World

Boxing Council Featherweight champion. He then cemented his reputation as boxing royalty when he won the world Super Featherweight/ Junior Lightweight title in 1988.

During the height of his career in the 1980s and 1990s, Nelson’s thudding jabs and powerful overhands earned him the nickname “The Professor,” after the lessons he taught his opponents.

His bright career saw a record of 39 wins, five losses and two draws, with 28 knockout victories. Azumah Nelson officially launched his biography titled “The Professor - the life of Azumah Nelson” in Ghana on 29 October 2014 at Alisa Hotel, North Ridge in Accra.

The event was attended by Ghana’s top dignitaries and sports personalities. Former President Jerry John Rawlings paid tribute to the man who helped lift a nation’s spirits in his speech at the event.

Azumah Nelson Foundation The Azumah Nelson Foundation was founded in 2008 as a not-for-profit organisation in Ghana. It aims to provide social services to the poor and needy through the use of sports and education. Additionally, it provides vocational training to the disadvantaged in society, while also serving as a youth leadership training centre.

The foundation has the full support of the Ghanaian government, and together they have initiated steps to construct a sports complex for sporting disciplines such as boxing, volleyball, table tennis, and badminton in various parts of the country. This is part of efforts to identify and groom talents in those sporting fields – in the hopes of winning Ghana’s elusive Olympic medal.

In 2004, this national hero became the first African to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

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Ghana’s Football Icons

Abedi Pele Born Abedi Ayew on 5 November 1964 in Kibi, Eastern Region, Ghana’s Pele captained Ghana’s national team from 1992 to 1998 and is considered by many to be Africa’s greatest footballer of all time.

Abedi Pele is considered one of the pioneers of African football in Europe after playing for teams in Switzerland, Germany, Italy and most notably France. There he was very instrumental in Marseille’s prominence in the European Champions League during the early 1990s.

Amongst his international accolades, he was often included in FIFA “All-Star” selections and captained the African AllStars in their victory over their European

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counterparts in the Meridian Cup of 1997.

He left Ghana after the 1982 African Cup of Nations to join Al Sadd in Qatar. Abedi Pele went on to sign a two-year contract with Al Ain Club and was nominated one of the best foreign players to play in the UAE league.

He is considered to be Africa’s most decorated footballer, winning the France Football Magazine African Player of the Year Award three times. He was the inaugural winner of the BBC African Sports Star of the Year in 1992, and won the corresponding Confederation of African Football award twice. He was also awarded the Golden Ball award for Best Player at the 1992 African Cup of Nations.

Abedi Pele is one Africa’s most respected ambassadors and in appreciation of his services to Ghana, he was awarded the Order of the Volta - the first sportsman

to receive the country’s highest honour.

Abedi holds the record for most appearances at the Nations Cup Finals, after he made his first appearance at the 13th Nations Cup Finals in Libya in 1982.

For the next 16 years he continued to feature at the tournament.

Pele’s performance in the 1992 African Cup of Nations is often remembered as one of the most outstanding football displays by any player in a single tournament - earning him the nickname “The African Maradona”.

Now retired, his name and image still carry icon status in Africa – especially among the Francophone nations.

As Ghana’s greatest player, Abedi Pele played for his nation 73 times. He was Ghana’s top goal scorer with 33 until 7 June 2013 when Asamoah Gyan surpassed his record.

Asamoah Gyan Footballing great Asamoah Gyan was born on 22 November 1985 in Accra and currently plays for Al Ain of the UAE ProLeague as a striker.

Gyan made his international debut for Ghana against Somalia at the age of 17 and scored in the 90th minute - the youngest player ever to score for Ghana. He has played for the Ghanaian national side since 2003 with 90 appearances and 48 goals and currently captains the team. He was also notably a key player for Sunderland in the English Premier League.

Gyan’s career began in 2003 with Ghanaian Premier League club Liberty Professionals - netting 10 goals in 16 matches.

At the 2006 World Cup, Gyan scored the fastest goal of the tournament after only 68 seconds of play. He also appeared for the Black Stars at the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups. In South Africa in 2010 he scored three goals – just missing a crucial penalty kick in the last minute of extra-time in a quarter-final defeat at the hands of Uruguay.

In Brazil in 2014, Gyan became the top African goalscorer in the history of the World Cup. As the all-time leading goalscorer of the Black Stars, Gyan has represented Ghana at the 2004 Summer Olympics and in five Africa Cup of Nations (2006, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2013), with a third-place finish in 2008 and runner-up in 2010.

On 31 August 2010, Gyan signed for Premier League club Sunderland on a four-year deal for a record £13-million - breaking the club’s transfer record and scoring on 10 occasions in 34 Premier League matches over two seasons. On 10 September 2011, it was confirmed that Gyan would leave on a season-long loan to club Al Ain FC. Gyan signed a five-year contract with Al Ain on 6 July 2012 worth over £6-million per season.

He was the top goalscorer in the UAE league in the 2013 season and helped his team retain the league title. On 24 July 2014, Gyan announced on his personal website that he had signed a contract extension at Al-Ain, receiving an improved deal and tying him to the club until 2018.

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Wiyaala Ghanaian singer, songwriter, designer, actress and model.

Also known as “the young lioness of Africa”, Wiyaala is the personification of a modern African woman - exuding creativity, courage, strength, and beauty. Wiyaala sings both in English and her native Sisaala and writes her own songs. She is renowned for her bold, strong voice and energy.

Her music style has been described as Afro-pop or Afro-rock with elements of tribal folk music.

One of four sisters, Noella Wiyaala was born in Wa, Upper West Ghana on 22 December 1986 and was raised in Tumu. Her mother was a choir singer and taught Noella to sing from an early age – performing since she was five-years’ old.

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Wiyaala continued to perform at school and was often a session singer at Echo Soundz recording studio in Wa. In 2009, Wiyaala used her small savings to create her first album “Tuma” which became very popular in the Upper West of Ghana.

In 2011, she auditioned for Ghana’s TV competition “Stars of the Future” and reached the finals, winning two Golden Moments Awards. Wiyaala then won the 2012 Vodafone ICONS Mixed Edition competition as part of her band, Black N Peach.

She left Black N Peach in April 2013 to pursue a solo career with Djimba World Records. Her first release was the single “Make Me Dance”. The song was remixed in Los Angeles by Bill Delia for the international market and released internationally on 7 October 2013 on iTunes.

Her two hit video singles, “Make Me Dance” and “Rock My Body” were nominated for awards in the “Best Discovery” and the “Best Reggae/Dancehall” categories in Ghana’s 4Syte TV Music Video Awards for 2013.

In October 2013, Wiyaala landed an international distribution and publishing deal with JTV Digital in Paris. She also made her TV acting debut in late 2013 in the Viasat 1 hit comedy series MultiKoloured.

A sympathiser of feminism, Wiyaala is a vocal advocate for women’s rights and education for women. She was nominated “Female Personality of the Year” at Ghana’s 2014 Fashion Icon Awards, wearing a dress

which she designed. Well known for her androgynous image, she designs her own stage dresses and jewellery to reflect her home culture.

On 28 February 2014, Wiyaala released a new single, “You Got The Power”. The single “Go Go Black Stars...Goal!” was released in April 2014 and became the unofficial anthem of Ghana’s national football team for the 2014 World Cup. In October 2014, Wiyaala became the most nominated Ghanaian at The All Africa Music Awards (Afrima) after receiving nominations in four categories, including: Revelation of The African Continent; Best West African Female Artiste; Best African Reggae, Ragga, Dancehall Song for Rock My Body; and Most Promising Artiste on the African Continent.

Her self-titled album, “Wiyaala”, was launched in November 2014 at the Alliance Française in Accra. At the All Africa Music Awards in December 2014 in Lagos, Wiyaala won two of the coveted gold-plated trophies for “The Most Promising Artist in Africa” and “The Revelation of the African Continent”.

She has been commended by Vodafone for her achievements and hailed as a youth icon and an inspiration for young Ghanaians to strive for success. Wiyaala is a brand ambassador for PepsiCo in West Africa and the Converse All Stars ambassador for Ghana.

wiyaala.com

Bhagwan R. Khubchandani Chairman of Melcom Group of Companies In 1989 Bhagwan established Melcom with his sons-in-law, Mahesh Melwani and Ramesh Sadhwani, and together they have built Ghana’s largest chain of retail stores. Today, 32 Melcom stores are in operation across the length and breadth of Ghana.

Bhagwan R. Khubchandani was born on 30 October 1937 in Hyderabad in the Sindh region of India (now in Pakistan). He left Hyderabad for good after India’s partition in 1947.

Despite his unfortunate setbacks in formal education due to the circumstances beyond his family’s control, Bhagwan did not allow his enterprising career to get eclipsed by the impropriety of educational pursuit.

Bhagwan’s education was badly disrupted during his childhood as he attended six schools in seven years. After completing schooling in 1954, Bhagwan worked in Hong Kong and Japan before coming to Ghana in 1960.

It was Bhagwan’s father, Ramchand Khubchandani, who had first come to Ghana in 1929, when Ghana was known as the Gold Coast. He immediately fell in love with the country and its people upon his arrival and

decided to settle here. After working tirelessly for 17 years as a shop manager, he saved enough to start his own business and made the decision to do so with his younger brother.

In 1946 they ventured into a retail partnership, establishing the first GLAMOUR store in the heart of what was then Accra’s modestly-size CBD. Hard work and perseverance allowed them to open three more branches in quick succession. After approximately two years of successful retail trading, The Christiansborg Crossroads Shooting of 1948 wiped out their hard work in an instant.

In 1955, the brothers diversified into manufacturing by opening Ghana’s first garment factory. Success in that venture prompted them to backward integrate into producing textiles. Having developed an appetite for total

business, the brothers decided to diversify even further, this time into hospitality, in the form of Ghana’s first Indian restaurant, Maharaja.

Under the military regime of Colonel I. K. Acheampong, Operation Feed Yourself launched in 1979, leading to the establishment of agricultural operations and thus GLAMOUR poultry farms came into being, which still exists today.

Bhagwan, joined and eventually took over from his father, enjoying the privilege of owning 50% of the GLAMOUR group.

Bhagwan’s passion for retail is well known, he eventually decided to part ways with his partners in order to focus his effort. In 1989 Bhagwan established Melcom with his sons-inlaw, Mahesh Melwani and Ramesh Sadhwani, and together they have built Ghana’s largest chain of retail stores.

Today, 32 Melcom stores are in operation across the length and breadth of Ghana. Over the years, The Chartered Institute of Marketing has named Melcom as the winner of “Best Retail Outlet” for 12 consecutive years.

Gradually Melcom Group of Companies diversified into other businesses including manufacturing of domestic household plastic ware (Century Industries Limited), as well as assembly and servicing of household electronic appliances (Crownstar Electronics), a fullyfledged, IATA certified travel agency (Melcom Travel & Tours) and most recently a bakery and coffee shop (Melcom Hospitality).

As Melcom continues to grow their commercial footprint, they are simultaneously committed to giving back to the communities that have given them so much. Melcom Group of Companies’ philanthropic arm, Melcom Care Foundation, has for a number of years been actively involved in all the communities that Melcom operates in.

Numerous scholarships have been given out, as Bhagwan is a strong believer in the power of education. Melcom kick-started their 25th Anniversary Celebrations by building and inaugurating a brand new block of classrooms for the St. Peter & Paul Primary School in Bolgatanga and donating an ambulance worth US$33,000 to the Military Hospital.

Like his father, Bhagwan has adopted Ghana as his home. He says “I am eternally grateful to the people of Ghana who have, for all the years, extended their unconditional love and hospitality. We are forever indebted to our customers, without whom none of this would have been possible. We can also never forget the 2,100+ staff members whose hard work and dedication have turned dreams into realities.”

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Women lead the way in Ghana Modern-day Ghana is being celebrated for having more women in higher positions within public service than ever before – and as such is streaks ahead of many African nations. This new-norm has also extended into society through popular culture and catapulted prominent women into the public sphere.

Ghana’s Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs mandated that the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day on March 8th should be commemorated with the Ghana Women of Excellence Awards Scheme which saw the First Lady, Her Excellency Ernestina Naadu Mills, as the Guest of Honour.

The Awards’ theme was “Empowering the Ghanaian Woman for National Development”

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which in essence was to motivate Ghanaian women to strive for excellence in their various walks of life and to take their rightful places in the national development process.

The scheme was the First Awards ceremony which was held at the Accra International Conference Centre on 8 March 2011.

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Joyce Adeline Bamford-Addo Previous Speaker of Parliament Joyce Adeline Bamford-Addo (born 26 March 1937) was the Speaker of the 5th Session of the Parliament of Ghana from 7 January 2009 to 6 January 2013. The Speaker’s position is 3rd in the Order of precedence in Ghana and comes after the President and Vice President of the Republic. She is also a retired Supreme Court Judge. She was the first female Speaker in such a position in the West African sub-region.

After school, Joyce Bamford-Addo proceeded to the United Kingdom for further studies. She joined the Inner Temple for her law studies and was called to the English Bar in 1961.

She was called to the Ghana Bar in 1962 and worked as a State Attorney from 1963, rising to become Chief State Attorney in 1973. She was appointed as the Director of Public Prosecutions in 1976, holding this position for 10 years. She was also appointed by Jerry Rawlings as a Supreme Court Judge in 1991. She retired from the Supreme Court in October 2004.

Following the 2008 presidential and parliamentary elections, she was elected unopposed as the Speaker of the Fifth Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana.

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Her Ladyship Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood The Chief Justice of Ghana Georgina Theodora Wood (born 8 June 1947) is a judge and also a former police prosecution officer. She is the Chief Justice of Ghana and the first woman to occupy that position.

After school, Georgina Wood proceeded to the University of Ghana, Legon, where she was awarded an LL.B. in 1970. She then attended the Ghana Law School after which she was called to the bar. She also did the Post-Graduate Officers Training Course at the Ghana Police College.

She worked with the Ghana Police Service as a deputy superintendent and public prosecutor for three years, later joining the Judicial Service as a District Magistrate in 1974. She rose through the Circuit and High

Courts to become the presiding judge of the Appeal Court in 1991.

She was appointed to the Supreme Court

by President John Kufuor on 12 November 2002.

She was nominated for the position of Chief Justice of Ghana in May 2007. On 1 June 2007, the Parliament of Ghana approved her nomination as the new Chief Justice of Ghana by consensus. This made her the first woman in Ghana’s history to head the Judiciary, simultaneously becoming the highest ranked female in Ghana’s political history. She assumed office on 15 June 2007.

Since taking office, she has sworn-in three Presidents and on 7 July 2007, Georgina Wood was decorated with the Order of the Star of Ghana, the nation’s highest honour, by President John Kufuor.

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Honourable Betty Mould-Iddrisu Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Hon. Betty Mould-Iddrisu was born on 22 March 1953 in Accra, Ghana. She is an accomplished lawyer and versatile scholar with a graduate degree in law (L.L.M) from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), University of London in 1978 and a B.L from the Ghana School of Law. She worked at Ghana’s Ministry of Justice from 1978 until 2003 in several capacities, rising to the rank of Chief State Attorney.

Betty Mould-Iddrisu has a vast experience with the Ghanaian Ministry of Justice, mostly in administering various facets of intellectual property law, international law, human rights and gender in Ghana and the rest of Africa.

Among several previous appointments, she was Chief State Attorney and head of the International Law Division of the Ghanaian Ministry of Justice. She has delivered numerous papers globally and published several articles in the area of intellectual property law.

She chaired both the Ghanaian and African Regional groupings of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) in the 1990s and co-founded the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) in 1999 and chaired it until 2003.

Hon. Mrs. Betty Mould-Iddrisu has written several articles and acted as a resource person, chair and expert at numerous national, regional and global fora on a wide array of legal and human rights issues.

In 2003, she was appointed the Director of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat, an inter-governmental organisation comprising 53 member states based in London.

She was sworn-in in February 2009 as the Minister of Justice and Attorney General by H.E. Prof. J.E.A. Mills, President of the Republic of Ghana.

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Yvonne Nelson Renowned Nollywood Actress Model and actress Yvonne Nelson is from Cape Coast but was born in Accra. She completed her tertiary education at Central University College, with a degree in Human Resource Management.

Her career in Ghana began when she won Best Talent and Miss Photogenic at the Miss Ghana 2005 Beauty Pageant. She was then awarded a two-year contract as the face of Maxim Cosmetics. Her acting career began when she landed a role in the TV series, Fortune Island.

Yvonne’s first lead role was when she played the title character in the movie, Princess Tyra. She filmed five more movies in Ghana before going to Nigeria in 2007 to shoot her first collaboration with Genevieve Nnaji - launching her extensive career in Nollywood. Since then, she has appeared in nearly 100 movies in Nigeria, Ghana, and Ivory Coast among others.

In 2010, she founded the Yvonne Nelson Glaucoma Foundation to help create awareness about the disease. With support from other Ghanaian celebrities, she recorded an all-star charity single and shot a video to help educate people.

Yvonne produced her first movie The Price in 2011, followed by Single And Married in 2012, which won two awards (Best Picture at the Ghana Movie Awards and Best Ghanaian Movie in Nigeria at the City People Awards 2013). She has been awarded numerous other awards for her work.

Yvonne also has a number of businesses in Accra including a fashion shop called YN’s Closet, YN Productions and YN Hairline - which introduced lace wigs and human hair collections into Ghana’s market.

Other Notable Women in Ghana

• Elizabeth Mills-Robertson: First female Inspector-General of Police.

• Dorothy Gordon: Director of Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT. • Elizabeth Adjei: First female Director of Ghana Immigration Service appointed in 2002.

• Professor Abena P.A. Busia: Rutgers University – uniquely blending feminist activism with creativity and academia.

• Professor Ama Ata Aidoo: Author/Mbaasem (Women’s Words) Production of outstanding African feminist literature.

• Angela Dwamena-Aboagye: Ark Foundation – operating the only shelter for survivors of Domestic Violence in Ghana.

• Boakyewaa Glover: Writer/Blogger – contributed to a renaissance of African women’s writing.

• Dr Rose Mensah Kutin: Abantu for Development – demonstrated

stalwart leadership on women’s issues.

• Lucy Mensah: Women United Against Aids in Ghana (WUAAG) – established the first HIV & AIDS women only support group.

• Professor Takyiwaah Manuh: Institute of African Studies (University of Ghana) – dynamic social activism and contributions to academia especially around women’s rights.

• Estelle Akofio-Sowah: Team Lead, Google Ghana - leading a team of Technologists from Google Africa to shape the future of ICT, Internet Policy Formulation and Mobile internet in Ghana and Africa as a whole.

articles.ghananation.com parliament.gh bettymould.wordpress.com macjordangh.wordpress.com Best of Ghana

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Hotels & Lodges 76

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CHAPTER 2 Best of Ghana

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La Villa Boutique Hotel La Villa Boutique Hotel is a true haven for those who appreciate the finer things in life. Surrounded by lush green trees, our hotel is an oasis of calm and serenity, just minutes away from the thriving urban streets of Accra and the perfect retreat for a spontaneous romantic getaway, a relaxing city break or a business stopover.

The hotel is built on the premises of the former Russian embassy, it is situated in one of Accra’s wealthiest and most exclustive suburb, Osu Ringway Estate, about 10 minutes’ drive away from both the Kotoka International Airport and Accra’s most exotic beach, the La Pleasure Breach.

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Rooms Sleek, contemporary and comfortable each room is as unique as you are. Our hotel has 38 unique rooms and two one-bedroom apartments especially designed for your comfort. With individual colour scheme, elegant furnishings and inviting Queen sized beds, our luxurious boutique hotel rooms are designed to appeal to every personal taste and every budget. We offer our guests four types of rooms:

• 34 Standard Rooms • 1 Junior Suites • 3 Executive Suite • 2 Apartments Each room is en-suite and fitted with everything you need for work and leisure, including a 32inch flat screen TV, minibar, writing desk, electronic safe, DSTV, telephone with IDD facility and luggage stand. There is 24hr Wi-Fi internet connectivity throughout our entire premises with high speed and reliability.

Cuisine & Entertianment

Fine dining in a relaxed and inviting atomosphere is the essence of the boutique hotel experience. Our intimate poolside retaurant. The Soprano restaurant specialises in generous portions of contemporary European food, lovingly prepared and beautifully presented by our skillful in-house chefs. The professional but laid-backatmosphere of the Soprano restaurant makes it the perfect setting for relaxed breakfasts, private and corporate lunches as well as romantic dinners. Our restaurants stock a wide range of fine italian and French wines to perfectly complement our menus. Our bar staff take pride in introducing you to the most exotic alcholic and non-alcholic cocktails.

Safety & Security

• 24hrs manned security • Electronic safes in all rooms • Qualified first aid personnel on-site • All staff trained on fire, safety and security procedures Events & Meetings

We pride ourselves in hosting successful busniess meetings and social functions of various sizes. We offer a seamless service to corporate clients who wish to run small or large meetings on our premises, networking events, conferences and exhibitions, and we would be happy to provide you with a free quote for your next company event.

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La Villa Boutique Hotel F56/1/13th Lane, Osu Ringway Accra – Ghana

Tel: +233 302 730 333-6 Fax: +233 302 730 332 Email: info@lavillaghana.com

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Golden Bean Hotel The Golden Bean Hotel is located in the serene environment of Kumasi Nhyiaeso, No.19 Harper Road, close proximity to the Kumasi Golf Club and Nhyiaeso Roundabout.

Golden Bean Hotel is a newly custombuilt hotel, altogether peaceful, exciting and rejuvenating; an excellent haven for stress management and deep-thinking and relaxation.

The comfortable environment makes our Hotel an ideal venue for Executive Meetings, Conferences, Workshops, Leisure and Recreations, among others. It serves as a ‘hide-out’ for strategic planning events as well as retreats. Also, we offer complimentary shuttle service to and from the Kumasi Airport to our guests on request.

The lush Golden Total Bean Hotel in made up of 51 Rooms comprising of 2Executive Suites, Deluxe, Superior (Include universal access and family), Standard and Aide Rooms.

These elegantly appointed guestrooms are decorated in an inviting turn-of-the-century style, with dark wood furnishings, white crown moldings, stylish light fixtures, muted color schemes, and authentic artwork by

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noted Ghanaian artists.

Our highly motivated and trained team waits to deliver quality service to you for a truly relaxing experience worth repeating.

We have incredible discounts on our rooms and conference rates to meet every corporate and individual need.

Guestroom Amenities • Tiled bathrooms with bathtubs • Standing showers.

• Shaving sockets • Full length mirror • Lavish bath amenities • Ultra Plush, luxurious terry towels • Plush bathrobes • Feather-top duvet-beds with 400-threadcount bed linens • Sitting couch • In room tea/coffee facility • Multi – telephone lines • Electronic safe

• 32-inch colour LCD flat panel televisions • Mini bar • Wireless Internet Other Facilities • Swimming Pool • Gym • Shop • Business Centre • Conference Facilities • Dinning • Dome Guest Services • Secretarial • Concierge

• • • • • •

Airport shuttle Turndown service 24-hour in-room dining Daily laundry/valet service Dry-cleaning service Buffet : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Reservation Policy • Check in Time – 3pm • Check out Time – 12noon • All rooms are non – smoking • Acceptable forms of payments are cash, credit card, bank transfers, company cheque or bank draft.

• Room rates inclusive bed and breakfast.

No. 19 Harper Road, Nhyiaeso – Kumasi Accra - Ghana Phone: +233 322086000 Reservations: +233 322086010 Fax: +233 322086001 www.goldenbeanHotel.com Best of Ghana

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THE OAK PLAZA GROUP OF HOTELS Acclaimed as some of the finest 3-star hotels in Ghana, The Oak Plaza Group of Hotels are distinguished by their exceptional services and impeccable facilities offering comfort, convenience and relaxation. To complement awesome locations, the teams go to vast lengths to leave indelible marks in the hearts of all their guests. Guests enjoy a degree of uniqueness and individuality that is unparalleled. Each member of the team committed to providing every guest with uplifting and unforgettable encounters of Africa.

OAK PLAZA EAST AIRPORT

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ak Plaza Hotel East Airport - with 83 luxurious rooms dedicated to professional business and leisure travellers. Being in the “New Heart of the city� only 4 km from Kotoka International Airport and surrounded by major financial institutions the location makes the hotel ideal for business travellers with demanding schedules.

Facilities include conference and incentive venues specially tailored for activities ranging from board meetings to product launches and presentations for up to 200 persons. The Hotel has free high-speed internet in all rooms and public areas, complementary airport shuttle service, a wellness centre with a swimming pool and fully-equipped gym with a personal trainer to help you unwind. In the core of the luxurious and serene environment of the Hotel stands the Oak Gardens, well suited for weddings and functions of up to 500 guests Dining in West Africa has always been an experience in itself especially at oak Plaza Hotel. The renowned Boma - Nyama Choma evening, is a "must do" meal experience that bombards the senses with tastes, sounds and smells of Africa. The Lucida, a fine dining restaurant offers a wide variety of internationally styled cuisine, with a hint of exquisite traditional Ghanaian dishes with the Executive Chef blending the different cuisines with a dash of drama.

Telephone: +233 (0) 3021 0630-59 Website: www.oakplazahotel.com Address: P.O CT 5248, Accra-Ghana

OAK PLAZA HOTEL EAST LEGON A boutique hotel with 12 rooms furnished in a themed stylish manner dedicated to executive business travellers, honeymooners together with travellers looking for an intimate, luxurious or quirky hotel environment. This “design hotel� with modern facilities including Wi-Fi internet, honesty bar, and daily laundry, has rooms tastefully decorated to evoke the romance of true African hospitality. We pride ourselves in serving only the finest cuisine passionately created by our inspirational chefs. A quiet environment with unsurpassed standards of hospitality and attention to detail for your stay in Accra - the city that never sleeps.

Telephone: +233 (0) 3029 35054 Website: www.oakplazahotel.com Address: P.O CT 5248, Accra-Ghana

BEST WESTERN PLUS Atlantic Hotel International Brand Hotel Opens in Takoradi “Oil City�, Western Region, Ghana 2014.

BEST WESTERN PLUS Atlantic Hotel is a modern 100-bedroom hotel that is located in the prestigious Beach Road area of Takoradi.

This newly opened property is perfect for the business and leisure-traveller alike.

With a choice of six different room types, there is enough to please anyone. All rooms have a perfect view of the Atlantic Ocean which is less than 1km away from the hotel.

Queen size beds, iPod docking stations, 39 inch LED TVs with 20 channels to choose from and free high-speed wireless and wired internet are standard in all rooms.

There are eight Suites including two Presidential suites that have been designed for the modern traveller. The large and ultramodern bathrooms come with both a Jacuzzi and shower. You can actually see the Atlantic Ocean, if you so choose, by activating the Smart Glass feature, while relaxing in your Jacuzzi.

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Three Penthouses located on the rooftop are out of this world and accessible via a private panoramic lift. The beautiful Atlantic Ocean mesmerizes you through the penthouse’s panoramic view. Each has its own balcony and a private terrace, where you will have total privacy. Long stay guests may choose to stay in any of our two-bedroom modern chalets furnished with a living area and kitchenette.

The Ocean View Restaurant and Bar offer you a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean as you wine and dine in the most spacious and relaxed atmosphere. Join us in any of our buffet offerings where over 40 different items are served, or take your pick from a number of menus that offer a choice of salads, sandwiches or main

meals to satisfy every palate. Step out to the terrace area which overlooks three swimming pools, a golf course, and the Atlantic Ocean’s deep blue waters and treat yourself to our coffee and dessert menu The Canoe Restaurant and Bar, located by the pool, offers a choice of local and West African meals and grills. Spend the day swimming in our leisure pool or enjoy some laps in our 25-metre infinity pool located between the hotel tower and the chalets. To add to the value of your stay, there is a well-equipped gym for your use. A spa, sauna, massage parlour, beauty salon and tennis court are available.

A nightclub, pub and casino will be added for your pleasure, in the very near future. As a business destination, the

hotel offers the largest conference facility outside the Capital of Accra. There are six conference rooms that seat a combined 1500 people and a vast pool area that can seat 1000 people. No matter how grand or small your functions are, the experienced and friendly staff will be delighted to host you.

For further information Tel: +233 31200 2700 +233 50 133 1881 or +233 50 133 1882 reservations@atlantichoteltakoradi.com bassem.toura@atlantichoteltakoradi.com www.atlantichoteltakoradi.com www.bestwestern.com Best of Ghana

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Holiday Inn Accra Airport Situated only one kilometre from Kotoka International Airport, and only seven kilometres from the city centre, Holiday Inn Accra Airport is ideally located for business or leisure.

Widely acknowledged as a premium hotel in Accra, Holiday Inn Accra Airport played host to the US first family during their visit to Ghana - the first by US President Obama to sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, Holiday Inn has hosted a number of other high profile personalities from the business sector, royalty, as well as famous personalities from film and music.

Leisure facilities at Holiday Inn Accra Airport are extensive.

They include a swimming pool, a fully-equipped gym, beauty salon, and a health centre. The seven-storey hotel has 98 Standard rooms, 48 Executive Rooms, 14 Deluxe rooms, six Executive Suites and two Presidential Suites. They are all luxuriously appointed and equipped with wireless high-speed internet access (Wi-Fi), satellite television, coffee and tea-making facilities, 24-hour room service, and in-room safe deposit boxes.

The hotel prides itself in offering the business traveller that home-away-from home experience. On arrival, our Guest Relations Team are available to assist you in a professional and efficient manner. Holiday 88

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Inn Accra Airport offers some of the best cuisine to be found in Accra. The main Wiase Restaurant, with its terrace overlooking the swimming pool, offers guests the choice of a delicious buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It also offers à la carte menu for lunch and dinner. For guests looking for a more laid-back experience, the La Cabana Pool Bar and Restaurant provides a varied menu in a relaxed environment. You may bask in the African sun around the pool in the daytime or under the stars at night. On weekends, a live band entertains patrons with traditional and western music.

For your conferencing needs, the Holiday Inn Accra Airport offers exceptional conferencing facilities, matched by the skills of the dedicated conferencing and banqueting team. Up to a total of 500 patrons can be served in our various conference and board rooms.

During your stay at the Holiday Inn, we recommend a cold beer or cocktail in the Safari Bar where ‘business meets leisure’. Its comfortable setting makes it a natural meeting place and while there, you may choose from an à la carte menu, ranging from finger style snacks to a fillet steak, all day long.

Last, but not least, Holiday Inn Accra Airport offers a wide range of services for the

business needs of today’s busy executive.

The business centre, which is equipped with the latest and best office equipment, is open all day and is able to assist you with any secretarial requirements you might have.

Maximise your time spent at the luxurious Holiday Inn and minimise your time in Accra traffic. We are only five minutes from the airport, and offer a free courtesy bus, upon demand.

Experience and enjoy our warm Ghanaian Hospitality and you will keep coming back.

HOLIDAY INN ACCRA AIRPORT PMB CT97 Cantonments Accra, Ghana Tel: +233 302 740 930 www.holiday-inn.com Best of Ghana

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B5 PLUS LTD B5 Plus Ltd is the largest and most advanced integrated steel company in Ghana.

President: John Dramani Mahama

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By means of leveraging comprehensive advantages such as good management, futuristic ideas and technology, B5 is also recognized as a leading steel company by the global steel market.

The company is popular for its expertise in producing high-tech and high value-added steel products. Meanwhile it has become the main steel supplier to all the development and construction programmes in Ghana.

The company’s product range includes; Steel Plates, Galvanized Pipes, Seamless Pipes, ERW Black Pipes, Equal Angles, UPN, IPEA-IPN, T-Bars, Galvanized Steel Plates, Chequered Plates, among others.

The company is also the leading manufacturer of Wire Nails from ¾” to 6”, Binding wire, Galvanized mesh & B.R.C mesh.

B5 Plus is the one stop shop for all steel products used across various industrial segments with more than 1,500 product identities and range. In Ghana, the Head office, manufacturing facility, central stock

yard is located in Kpone Industrial Area, Tema. However, it has multiple branches & dealers in Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, Tamale.

With its perpetual business philosophy, B5Plus was initiated to not merely survive but win in a marketplace noted by rapid changes.

Indeed, the company’s whopping success story has been carved essentially by its relentless quest for excellence by setting new standards, enhancing capabilities, enriching lives and ensuring that it maintains the quality which are the sine qua nons for its long lasting reputation.

Not surprisingly, the company has become very much prominent and poised to become the most trusted steel manufacturer in the country. The company adopts advanced quality management system in the world and its main products are recognized by the international authoritative institutions.

Governed by Mr Mukesh Thakwani, a visionary endowed with an enterprising spirit and the ability to discern future trends ,

the company has grown by leaps and bounds in a short span of time.

The organisation is wedded to ideals like novelty and technological leadership and is backed by a highly driven and dedicated workforce of about 1000people. B5Plus endeavours to strengthen West Africa’s industrial base by promoting infrastructural development. The resources are deployed from different parts of the world to improve the infrastructure and environment in the areas it operates in.

Our Standards • Excellent Service: We work round the clock for our valuable customers to satisfy their needs. We bring specialized products as per customer specification for Marine & Mining applications • Quality: We supply the material of quality as per customer requirement and stick to standards agreed • Availability: We are one of the largest stockists for Steel materials in West Africa.

You are invited to visit us to have an idea of our stock.

• Bonded Facility: We have the bonded warehouse for VAT & DUTY exempted supplies • Delivery: Our factory works 24 hrs, delivery time is 7 am to 5 pm, Monday to Saturday & on special request we can load / deliver even on Sundays or off hours.

B5 Plus Ltd Kpone Barrier, Aflao Rd Opp Kingdom Transport Kpone - Tema Tel: +233 244 331 635 244 342 600 / 244 333 511 +233 544 313 204 Email: b5plus@hotmail.com sales@b5plus.com www.b5plus.com Best of Ghana

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ACCESS BANK Building Ghana’s Most Respected Bank It was a sunny morning in the cosmopolitan city of Accra, the capital of Ghana. The skyline very blue and you could of course see the radiant sun rays reflect on some of the imposing skyscrapers located in the bustling business hub of a city with over 7.8 million dwellers.

The day was Monday March 12, 2012, and Dolapo Ogundimu, the man who is considered largely successful in banking due to his exploits in Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Ghana, had been appointed by Access Bank Plc, the parent company of Access Bank Ghana, to take over the reins at its subsidiary office. His task was a daunting one – barely two months before he took office the Bank had taken over the erstwhile Intercontinental Bank (IBG), a much larger bank than Access, and had initiated a process to merge both banks.

Mr. Ogundimu had the onerous responsibility of seeing the merger and integration through successfully - a task which had already been achieved in Nigeria. As he stared across his large office space overlooking the heart beat of Accra, he wondered how he was going to

President: John Dramani Mahama

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bring this mission to fruition. The Access and Intercontinental merger was a turning point in the history of the former. Access Bank Plc had opened a subsidiary office in Ghana in 2009, as it ventured out of Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, to establish its banking franchise in neighbouring countries within the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ).

This merger was the first to occur after the Central Bank of Ghana had increased the capital requirements of banks in the industry to GHs60-million to provide the much needed boost for the Ghanaian economy.

The new policy was also expected to result in consolidations that would help develop stronger and more robust banks with the required financial muscle to support big ticket transactions.

Besides being one of the first Banks to meet and also exceed this capital requirement, Access Bank was also the first to initiate a consolidation that was to birth a new and stronger financial institution. Access Bank was widely acclaimed for its exceptional expertise

Dolapo Ogundimu, MD of Access Bank welcomes Noble Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka to Ghana

in corporate banking while Intercontinental Bank had the scale and status required to give Access Bank that needed impetus to achieve its vision.

The vision of the Bank was clear; to become a catalyst for socio-economic growth in the countries within which it operates.

The commitment to spearhead Ghana’s development was easily recognisable given the key investments and social interventions it had made across critical sectors of the economy within the first three years of its existence. In the current year for instance, the Bank demonstrated its commitment in Arts & Culture when it hosted the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, in Ghana to inspire the country’s youth to develop their various talents. This is in addition to other committed resources in the areas of education, health, environment and sports.

It was also financing landmark projects in the oil and gas sector, manufacturing, telecommunications and agriculture among others.

So in its first year of joining the prestigious Ghana Banking Awards in 2010 – an industry award to reward best performing banks annually, Access Bank was adjudged the “Best Bank in Corporate Social Responsibility” and “Best Bank in Agric Financing”.

No doubt, this milestone sent clear signals that the Bank was one to watch. With only four locations in the country as at 2011 and staff strength just under 100, Access Bank was far from reaching the echelon of top banks in the

industry. But a lot was going to change! The merger provided opportunities for the Bank to seize its destiny, give it the needed momentum for its growth and expansion.

At the helm of affairs was Mr. Ogundimu, the man at the centre of this transformation.

In his own words, “The year 2012 was a tumultuous one. We managed to achieve the integration of both banks in record time and this process included our IT infrastructure, systems, products and services and most importantly our customers”.

Alluding to hard work, commitment and determination as key to the success of the merger, Mr. Ogundimu indicated that the Bank hit the ground running right from the beginning.

“We had already lost some time with the integration process and its attendant challenges so we quickly put in place sound risk management and governance structures to guide our operations. This was built on our sustainability principles”.

The Bank’s growth and financial performance in the industry was touted as one of the best and this was validated by the 2012 Ghana Banking awards which adjudged Access Bank as the “Best Growing Bank”. The following year, the Bank was also recognised as the “Top Emerging Brand” in the industry

by Premier Brands and was also admitted into

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the top 100 companies in Ghana known as the “Ghana Club 100”.

“We consolidated the gains of the merger in 2014 and have since built an enduring platform to spearhead the next phase of our growth. The next phase of our growth will be under-pinned by a strong retail banking franchise that is supported by best-in-class products and services, and our continuous desire to place the customer at the heart of our operations”, the Access Bank Managing Director stated.

In 2014, Access Bank re-tuned its corporate philosophy from ‘becoming a worldclass financial services provider’ to ‘be the world’s most respected African bank’. The new philosophy was to ensure that the Bank ranked amongst the top three in whatever market it chose to play.

To achieve this vision, a new 5–year corporate strategy was launched the past year to provide the required road map for the next phase in the Bank’s transformational agenda.

Consistent with this new strategy, the Bank realigned and repositioned its Retail Banking Division into Personal and Business Banking Groups for targeted reach of individuals and small to medium sized enterprises The market segmentation, allowed the Bank to place more emphasis on segments of the retail market that require special banking needs including children, students, women, pensioners, SMEs as well as the unbanked and under-served. In promoting financial inclusion, the Access Bank rolled out a bouquet of innovative products for these segments: Early Savers (kids account), Solo (for students), Golden Age (for pensioners).

The highlight of these many new initiatives was the launch of its women banking initiative, known as ‘W’. ‘W’ is Access Bank’s unique approach to banking women across all market segments and social strata. This initiative, which is the first of its kind in Ghana, caters for the special banking needs of young women professionals, women in business and women

with families. The MD of Access Bank looks to the future with optimism, “We plan to be a high performing Ghanaian bank with a diversified banking portfolio. In the coming years, we will invest heavily in expanding our Retail Banking Business, spanning branch expansion and alternative channels, operational infrastructure and robust technology backbone”.

And why not? The Bank he has managed for the past four years was recently awarded winner of the most sought after “Bank of the Year” award at the 13th Ghana Banking Awards in 2014. For the second time, Access Bank also won the “Best Bank in Corporate Social Responsibility” and also emerged 1st and 2nd runners-up respectively in the ‘Household Finance’ and ‘Enterprise Finance’ categories.

Industry watchers say Access Bank Ghana’s year-on-year performance has been phenomenal over the past six years. The Bank has undoubtedly been setting a trail blazing performance for others in the financial services sector with industry redefining initiatives and the application of sustainability principles in the conduct of its business.

Today, Access Bank is one of the largest banks operating in Ghana with over 44 office locations serving nearly the entire population.

The bank is a member of the Access Bank Group which has presence across eight African countries, China and the United Kingdom. Through its banking business, the Bank has become a role model in supporting the economy to prosper, enabling businesses to thrive and helping people to fulfill their hopes and financial aspirations.

TOLL FREE: 0800 004400 or +233 (0) 302 742699 E: contactcentregh@ghana.accessbankplc.com www.ghana.accessbankplc.com Follow AccessBankGhana on

* 2013 Bank of the Year, Ghana Banking Awards * 2013 Best in Corporate Social Responsibility, Ghana Banking Awards * 2012 Best Growing Bank, Ghana Banking Awards * 3rd Most Respected Bank - Ghana Club 100 Awards

eTranzact eTranzact is Africa’s leading provider of mobile banking and electronic payment services. The first fully operational multi-application and multichannel electronic transaction switching platform.

The Company has operations in Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, United Kingdom, Zimbabwe and South Africa. eTranzact first established operations in Nigeria in 2003, and is currently one of the leading companies in the electronic payments and switching space in Nigeria. eTranzact has partnered with local promoters so as to obtain a better understanding of local markets and enable the Company to better navigate the legal and regulatory terrain.

Our Vision eTranzact vision is to be the leading global provider of electronic transaction services leveraging on their award-winning mobile switching platform. To further strengthen this vision, eTranzact currently partners and has real-time connection with over 50 commercial banks and 350 microfinance Institutions across Africa. We are also a leading Third-Party Processor (TPP) for MasterCard in Africa.

President: John Dramani Mahama

The company is a major MTO hub in Africa, providing both secure, convenient and low cost local and International funds remittance program in the continent. Allowing Africans in the diaspora to remit money back home. eTranzact has direct integration with Western Union, MoneyGram, HomeSend, TransferWise and World Remit, among others.

OUR PRODUCTS CorporatePay CorporatePay incorporates a One-to-Many Payment and a Many-to-One payment scheme. In the One-to-Many scheme, the company is the one making the payment, the many is the list of people (Staff, contractors, suppliers etc) to pay. With the scheme, the company can automate payment to all staff at the click of a button; all payments are reconciled real-time into the appropriate staff accounts.

ATM CardlexCash eTranzact ATM CardlexCash is designed for the eTranzact global payment network; the solution allows a user to transfer funds from his mobile phone, and have funds collected by a third party at an ATM machine without the use of Cards. eRemit eRemit is an online international money transfer service. Using the eTranzact

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Group CEO Valentine Obi

payment gateway, eRemit gives customers the ability to remit money and have money wired for collection by a named beneficiary in any country where eTranzact has operations. Cash can be remitted directly to bank accounts, eTranzact Prepaid Card and Mobile Money Accounts.

Mobile Banking eTranzact Mobile banking solution aimed at delivering ‘convenience’ to retail banking clients by way of enabling payments out of a bank account in a secure and cost-effective manner. Our solution leverages our robust switching platform and combines cuttingedge innovation with service delivery in a costeffective and secure manner. Value Added Services available on the Mobile banking are: Fund Transfer (intra and interbank), Airtime Purchases, Bill Presentment and Payment, Account Enquiry etc ESA eTranzact Strong Authentication(ESA) is eTranzact’s patented, proprietary product that utilises security tokens to provide multi-factor authentication for payment transactions or online access on the eTranzact platform and any other network. It provides two-factor authentication for ATM, POS, Mobile and Web transactions. With ESA, a dynamic PIN as opposed to a static PIN is generated when transacting. Utilisation of static PIN as the

singular parameter for electronic transactions is increasingly becoming fraud-prone. Card cloning and PIN disclosure are major security threats to card transactions. eSA uses the subscriber’s cell phone to generate a onetime pass code.

MOBILE MONEY PocketMoni is the brand name of eTranzact mobile money service. It is a multi network capable mobile commerce application capable of interfacing seamlessly with third party payment schemes.

P.O.S. (Point of Sale) eTranzact POS solution is deployed to accept payment from cards holder from various points of sale. The solution is also enabled as a VAS (Value Added Services) payment solution for merchants who are willing to carry out transactions beyond purchase. eTranzact has partnered with GHIPSS in Ghana to enable its prepaid card accepted on all GHIPSS hybrid POSes deployed across major merchants in the country.

PayOutlet eTranzact PayOutlet allows merchants to collect payments from customers through the branches of eTranzact member banks. This product makes it possible for the merchant to take advantage of

the eTranzact network to consolidate collections into a single account from multiple banks.

WebConnect+ eTranzact WebConnect+ is a solution developed to accept and process payment on behalf of the merchant. The solution is integrated into the merchant website. The eTranzact WebConnect+ API is unique because of its capability to accept all cards issued locally and internationally including Visa and MasterCard.

AWARDS eTranzact Ghana recently won the 2015 Edition of Ghana Telecom Award as the Payment Solution Service Provider of the year.

Others are; • Achievement Award (Corporate Category)

by Intermac during Card Expo 2009 • AITEC Africa Award in May, 2008 during African Banking Technology • Award of Excellence as Best SMEEIS Enterpreneur under the Most Innovative Product (Services) Category of the year 2007 by Central Bank of Nigeria • Partnership award during Card Expo 2006, West Africa by Intermarc • Partnership award during Smart Card Expo and ATM World in 2004

Heritage Tower, Near Cedi House, Ambassadorial Enclave, off Liberia Road, Ridge, Accra Tel: 0302 671 694/ 0243690042 Email: info-gh@etranzact.com www.etranzact.com Best of Ghana

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KEK Insurance Group Ghana’s No.1 Broker Since 1992

Charles F. Oduro, Managing Director

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Thank you for taking the time to learn more about KEK Insurance Brokers Ltd. If you are considering insurance services, we have the resources to deliver the best-in-house insurance broking services.

Our vision for the next five years is to be the leading and most admired insurance and reinsurance broking firm in West Africa.

We aspire to achieve this through a combination of excellent, quality and timely delivery of broking services to our cherished clients.

Our strength as a company is rooted in our quality human resource base and a dedicated management team with several years of proven experience in developing successful insurance programmes.

Our commitment is to deliver world-class services to our clients whilst constantly looking for ways to improve these services.

To deliver on this, we currently operate from an ultra-modern head office complex located at No. 40/41 Senchi Street at

Airport Residential Area. Most brokers talk about service, but are unable to deliver on their promises. We walk our talk each and every day; in fact, we conduct customer satisfaction surveys on our clients every year and use the valuable feedback to constantly fine tune our services from product offerings to technology innovations to marketing support.

I look forward to speaking with you about how we can bring the KEK experience to your credit.

INSURANCE GROUP GHANA’S NO.1 BROKER SINCE 1992

Service with Expertise & Integrity

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WACHILD COMPANY LTD. Business of dealing with prime lands at the first-class zones for residential and commercial properties

WACHILD HOMES – High-Quality Yet Affordable Homes INTRODUCTION President: John Dramani Mahama Wachild Company Limited is a Real Estate company which is into Residential / Commercial Estate Development. The company has specialised in finding and

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acquiring prime locations on behalf of investors.

We have membership with Ghana Real Estate Developers Association (GREDA) and American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM).

Wachild was founded by Charles Okyere Agyebeng Yebuah, who is the CEO, in the year 1997.

OUR VISION To develop and provide affordable housing to our esteemed clients using advanced building systems technology with the aim of satisfying our cherished clientele, with a fulfilled staff and a high sense of social responsibility with the ultimate goal of contributing our quota to national development.

WACHILD ESTATES The Giant Of Realtor

We also aim to satisfy clients whose interests are in acquiring commercial and residential properties at the prime areas in Ghana.

OUR FOCUS Wachild Company Limited focuses on the provision of high-quality yet affordable housing to our clients, by offering state-ofthe-art living conditions reflective of the rapid advancement in technology and growing need for quality housing.

Our company is dedicated to providing prime lands/properties for residential/ commercial projects at the first-class zones in Ghana.

OUR COMMITMENT The ultimate satisfaction of our clients is our goal, whilst maintaining sustainable working relationships with our clients whereby exhibiting the highest level of responsibility towards the delivery of high-quality service.

DEVELOPMENT OF REAL ESTATE COMMUNITIES The company designs and develops estates within communities for housing purposes with First-Class Service.

SALES AND PURCHASE OF PRIME LANDS AT FIRST-CLASS ZONES The company acquires prime lands at the first-class zones for development and sells the same to prospective investors / buyers.

HIGH-QUALITY YET AFFORDABLE HOMES Our prices are not just competitive but unbeatable while maintaining the highest level of quality, we also endeavour to follow market pricing trends in order to maintain a competitive advantage in the industry.

P.O. Box OS 934 Osu, Accra Tel: +233 302-983178 Mobile: +233 244-632911 +233 208-111166 Email: wachildestates@yahoo.com wachild999@yahoo.com www.wachildestate.com Best of Ghana

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USC

United Steel Company

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United Fabrication Limited With over 25 years of experience and 3000 projects around the region, United Fabrication has securely established itself as a big company that fabricates steel construction.

Our engineers daily resolve difficult challenges in designing and installing complex structures. Whether you are building a shopping mall, a bridge, silos, machines, trailer or dumper, caravans or tents - United Fabrication can meet all your structural steel needs. Our safety-stringent construction solutions take into account all possible loads, using the American code, one of the most recognised of international codes.

Our Products: • Steel structure & warehouses; • Space frame & multi-story buildings; • Grain silos; • Farm tanks (mild steel/ stainless steel); • Caravans, labour camps, cold rooms & sandwich panels; • Mechanical fabrications & machines; • Production lines & plate works (pipes, roof sheets, purlins); • Scaffolding, props & wheel barrows; • Storing shelves/ racks; • Cable trays & punching plates;

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• Trailers, dumpers & fuel tankers; • Freezer, fridge, industrial & commercial kitchens; • Canopy, movable roofs & sliding doors.

Meeting your need for affordable versatile steel structures is our priority. We achieve this through a stringent quality system, attention to detail, and value-engineered products.

List of Customer Accra • American Tower Company • Netis Ltd • Helios Tower Ghana Ltd • Zahkem Construction • Mendanha & Sousa Construction • Bereket Ghana Ltd (Turquaz) • Berock Ventures limited

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Finatrade Group/Daven port Construtora queiroz Galvao BBS Engineering Ltd Wood Industries Ltd Cape 3 Services Ltd Invest Plus Ltd Harlequin International Ghana Ltd Nunu Construction Ltd Energoprojekt Ghana Ltd

Tema • Zoomlion Ghana Limited • Avnash Industry Ghana Ltd • Construtora OAS S.A. • Finicia Construction works Ltd • Vehrad Ltd • Delta Agro Ltd • Scania • Nassah Logistic Ltd • Mansell Ltd • Sethi Brother Ltd

• Penta Build Ltd • CIGL Cosmot Industrial Gh. Ltd • Olam Project Industrial Gh. Ltd Since our inception, UFC has been committed to providing the best quality services with highest professionalism.

We have done a great deal of work the last two years to implement and achieve our vision and maintain top quality. Our continuing pursuit of excellence is our primary focus.

United Fabrication LTD Free Zone enclave, Tema, Ghana Email: info@unitedfabricationgh.com www.unitedfabricationgh.com

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United Steel Company United Steel Company Limited (USC) was formed on 8 July 2004 to produce and sell quality assorted steel products after a search was conducted to ascertain the viability of the steel industry in Ghana.

President: John Dramani Mahama

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The search revealed that the steel market goes beyond the local environment and that other West African countries are large consumers of steel products from the Far East and some European countries.

The current Directors who formerly imported these products later realised that it was more prudent to produce and sell in Ghana finished products for retailing.

More so, the expert knowledge of the Directors in the steel industry for over 15 years of operating the same factories in KSA, Jordan and Sudan was enough proof to match any competitor. This informed decision was quickly translated into reality, leading to the commencement of the company’s actual operations in July 2005.

Ever since then, United Steel Company has been growing day by day.

New machinery is installed on a regular basis for more production, better quality, and faster customer service.

Shareholders • 1. Abdul Majid Mikati – 50% • 2. Sameer Qaraman – 50% Mission Our mission is to produce and sell the best steel products by employing efficient and effective means of organising and utilising resources to the attainment of our stated goal; and meeting the needs of all stakeholders.

Goal To mobilise and manage resources to achieving goal maximisation in the steel industry.

Objectives • To employ the best resources of production in terms of modern technology, desired expertise, capacity building, funding etc. to achieve results.

• To manufacture customer-tailored products or adapt the demands of the environment.

• To create employment and contribute towards the growth of the national economy.

• To partner with other corporate entities to achieve results; and to fulfil our social responsibilities as well.

Human Resource We have a competent and experienced work team that is capable of steering the affairs of the company to achieve its goals and objectives.

Production The company uses state-of-the-art manufacturing machines and equipment that produce quality products with a negligible margin of error, hence little or no wastage.

The regular servicing and maintenance of machines always keep them at their optimum

level of operation. We currently use about 90% of the available production capacity and this will be increased to full capacity in the next 2-5 years.

Quality Our products are of high quality that meets international standards in terms of length, size, thickness, texture etc. These features have made our products more unique and special, but affordable in the market.

Market Share/ Sales We have 65% market share in Ghana and hope to increase it. We also export 25% of our products to West African countries, especially Liberia, Burkina Faso, Niger, Togo, Nigeria and Gambia due to easy accessibility.

Our expected turnover for the 2015 financial year will be GHC270,000,000. This projection is based on the assumption that more sales points (wholesale depots) will be opened in all the regional capitals of Ghana.

It is also our plan to penetrate the market in other parts of Africa.

Research is being conducted into the introduction of new products and additional capacity installed at the new factory in Tema ready to start operating in June 2015, increasing production by 60%. The company also makes it a policy to have at least 20% growth of annual turnover for the next five years.

Pricing The prices of our products are highly competitive making it difficult for our competitors to match. This happens as a result of cost-effective policy adopted by the company to reduce total production.

United Steel Company LTD Tema Free Zones Enclave Aflao Road, SK 1070 Tema – Ghana Tel: +233 242 22 22 76

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Wilkins Engineering Limited Wilkins Engineering Limited is an electrical construction firm in the electric power infrastructure sector in Ghana.

Ing. Omane Frimpong - CEO

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Having over 20 years of quality experience in managing projects, thus making us the preferred partners for multinational firms.

We have completed successful projects in the electric power sector value chain, that is, electricity transmission, electricity distribution and service location.

Ing. Omane Frimpong formed Wilkins in May 1993, after several years of working with Electricity Company of Ghana, Volta River Authority and Ministry of Energy, as it was. It was set up as a sole proprietorship business.

Wilkins was formed because the entrepreneur saw an opportunity when the Government of Ghana, at that time, decided to increase the rate of access to electricity in the country, which at that time was less than 15%. He resigned from his position at Ministry of Energy and started Wilkins Engineering.

However, Government delayed the start of the project and the first contract Wilkins had was a solar project for rural electrification. In 2006 Wilkins became a company limited by shares.

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Wilkins Engineering Limited has six departments: Engineering Construction & Design, Finance, Human Resource & Administration, Marketing, Projects, and Transport. These departments work closely in order to achieve excellence in the industry.

Since we work at numerous scattered project sites across Ghana, we have over 67 sub-contractors that work under the project department to achieve monthly timelines. To ensure that all actual works done on the ground reflect what the client wants, the engineering department supervises these sub-contractors.

Reports on progress of work on the site are submitted to the head office weekly; this helps the marketing officers communicate to the clients effectively. Meetings are held monthly between the marketing, projects, engineering and accounts departments to identify if there will have to be slight adaptations to the scope of works, which will bring a change in our budget for each project, and delays if any.

These are all necessary for us to track project expenses and completion dates. Currently,

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we have operations in over 30 districts in Ghana. We have plans to open an office in Liberia by close of 2015.

Since we are electrical contractors focused on electric power infrastructure, we provide EPC for the following: • Solar power plants; • Sub transmission networks; • Power Distribution networks; • Service connections; • Substations; • LV panels and feeder pillars; • Street lighting.

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We also offer homeowners, businesses, and institutions an opportunity to save on electricity costs. This is achieved by providing solar systems that reduce their reliance on the grid; they generate their own electricity, which has a long-term impact.

The vision of the company is to be Number One in the electrical engineering industry. To achieve this vision, Wilkins culture has been natured to drive performance leveraging our six core values.

The values are EXCELLENCE, PRECISION, HIGH BUSINESS INTERGRITY, CUSTOMER

FOCUS, CREATIVITY and TEAMWORK, which carry the acronym EPIC2T. We have used this to transform our behaviors, shape the company’s culture and express our inspiration in our daily execution of work.

Our target market are the emerging markets in Africa, since there are over 600 million persons living in Africa without electricity. This shows that there will be huge investments in this sector, to procure infrastructure to mitigate this problem in Africa. The access rates to electricity in most African markets are below 30%, using

our experience of working in some of the most remote places in Ghana and Liberia, Wilkins can work with Governments, multinational EPC firms, agencies and NGOs to help increase the electricity access rates in Africa, which will bring about a boost in economic growth.

Currently, Wilkins has a staff strength of 76 employees, made up of electrical and civil engineers, technicians, administrative staff (accountants, marketers, human resource personnel, transport officers) and drivers.

B135/22 Obonu Crescent North Kaneshie P.O.Box 9314, Airport, Accra Ghana Tel: +233 302 235 671 +233 289 555 385 www.wilkinsengineering.com Best of Ghana

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CONSAR LTD

CONSAR LTD.

Consar LTD, founded in 1983, is a Ghanaian-based Construction Services Company and is a leading builder in various and several market segments.

The company has earned recognition for undertaking large, complex projects with the utmost efficiency and build quality. With our headquarters located in Kumasi and branch offices located in Tamale and Accra, we have the capacity to go where our client requires.

Our success story begun when we secured our first major contract for the construction of the SSNIT flats in Kumasi.

Now, with over 1,500 employees and 30 years of experience, we offer clients the accessibility and support of a local firm with the stability and resources of a nationwide organisation.

Core Values Mission: To be the contractor of choice for our clients, the employer of choice for our people, to exceed benchmark standards

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Vision: To be the partner of choice in the construction market throughout West Africa.

Our Commitment Quality Consar’s mission on quality is quite simple: meet or exceed our clients’ expectations by building right the first time.

Building with Integrity: We respect our colleagues and business partners. We take responsibility of our actions and conduct ourselves with the utmost stewardship and honesty.

Eliminate rework: Consar’s supervisors and tradesmen are continuously on site and will report if there are any quality discrepancies that might affect the project in order to ensure that it does not happen again.

People: We value our people as the most important aspect of our business. We hire the best and brightest minded individuals in the industry and from the offset, our people are trained and focused to guarantee a projects success.

Continuous quality improvement: By focusing on quality and by listening to our clients, we continuously try to improve ourselves and encourage ideas to enhance our performance.

in quality and safety and to achieve a fair balance of citizenship and profitability.

Excellence: At Consar, there is no bar set too high. We strive to achieve more and more on a daily basis without forgetting who we are. We build right the first time and commit to excellence in everything we do. We will surpass industry standards by excelling in quality, safety and development.

Client Satisfaction: Mutual trust, confidence and peace of mind have built our enduring legacy. Everything we do and every project we undertake boils down to exceeding our clients’ expectations.

Meeting requirements: We do not deviate from the specifications. We ensure that the client is happy with our product through detailed method statements and shop drawings prior to its construction.

Innovation: We invest in forward thinking people and embrace new technology and ideas.

Safety Our mission is to conduct our projects in the safest possible manner. Safety trainings and safety inductions are mandatory for all

personnel prior to working on a site. The goal is to create a safe haven on a job that is typically dangerous in order that everyone gets home safely.

CONSAR LTD. Building and Civil Engineering Contractor Accra Branch Private Mail Bag 25 Cantoment Post Ofiice – Accra Ghana Tel: +233 30 2813453 Fax: +223 30 2813454 Email: info.accra@consarltd.com www.consarltd.com Best of Ghana

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Italtec Ghana Ltd Italtec Ghana Ltd is a wholly Ghanaian registered operating company under the Company’s Registration Act. Its primary business is the purchase and export of gold.

Italtec Ghana Ltd. started from a humble beginning in 1993 having been registered as an Import and Export business. The Company’s original director and current 100% shareholder is Kwame Anas Ofei.

Italtec had a thriving Import and Export business selling electrical hardware mostly imported from Italy. With time the challenges of foreign exchange currency in the late 1990s and early 2000s made the Company adapt to strategies to expand and it strategically chose to venture into the gold trade.

As with every enterprise there were some early challenges, however the craftiness and entrepreneurial spirit of its CEO Mr. Kwame Ofei turned those challenges into advantages.

Italtec employs the concept of buying centres to guarantee a steady stream of gold supplies for purchases on a daily basis. The company currently operates 14 wholly established gold buying centres.

The purchasing locations are scattered across the mining belt mostly in the western region and the Tarkwa/ Prestea mining belt. One of our methods of business is the service technique

President: John Dramani Mahama

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program which employs the distribution and servicing of mining equipment and power generating sets. The program assures the delivery of such mining equipment to the various miners/ workers under our trade rule by supplying them with sluice boxes and washing tables, including standby power generating sets to guarantee them operating equipment, as well as deep-well water pumps.

All these are done and leveraged against the continuous supply of gold.

This method guarantees us the right of purchase and protection from all the participating mines who work in our service and support program.

Field test Gold is assayed in all of our purchasing centres, we supply smelting furnaces made of gas and electric blowers with smelting crucibles weighing up to eight kilograms per smelting pot. The smelted gold is weighed in the Mettler Toledo specific gravity weighing scales. This method of assaying gold has a relative accuracy of +/- 0.005% which makes

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it the best field testing method.

The gold is smelted from several forms such as alluvial dust and small ingots into one kilogram weight dore bars with a purity of between 91.66% minimum to 95% purity.

Number of Employees • Administrative Personnel (Accra Office): 10 • Field Personnel (Various Mining Villages): 40 The Company operates 17 Buying Centres fully-equipped with state-of-the-art water density specific gravity Swiss weighing scales.

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Countries which receive gold shipment from Italtec: • UAE (principally Dubai) • Italy • Australia • Turkey • India • USA Export markets Italtec primarily ships gold to the UAE - the hub of the Arabian Gulf region covering the Arab world which is close to India, the largest gold consumer in the world.

Shipment is made weekly on the Emirates flight departing Accra International Airport at 5.00pm local time, arriving in the morning

Bolga

in Dubai at 6.00am. Dubai is four hours ahead of GMT. The gold departs our office in Accra under escort to the airport. It is then sealed by customs security officers after inspection and flown on the next departing Emirates flight. Other markets include the European Union, Turkey and recently the USA. All of these continental flights are made by KLM Airline of the Dutch Netherlands.

Currently the Company runs very efficient mining support services and provides substantial support to many small and medium mining companies.

Italtec Ghana Ltd. was registered on 25 March 1993 as a General Trading Business. It is now a Licensed Gold Exporter.

Terms of contract Our terms of contract are very simple - we supply gold on an annual renewable contract revolving. Please see our website for details on www. italtecgold.com.

Fenteta

Offinso

10 ANUM YEMOH LOOP East Legon Accra Direction: Follow sign post Opposite the Mensvic Grand Hotel, off Lagos Ave Office: +233 302544094 Cell: +233 244 418922 SKPE: ANAS641 www.italtecgold.com

Kibi

Apenamang Kobriso

Bogosu

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BARBEX TECHNICAL SERVICES LIMITED Barbex Technical Services Limited is a mining support services company established in 1990 and committed to providing a first-class service to its clients through a network of strategically placed offices throughout Ghana and West Africa.

Message from the Managing Director Twenty-five years have come and gone very quickly. We have acquired extensive experience in the delivery of services to our customers.

In this new season of our growth as a corporate organisation, and together with our partners, we have directed our attention to solving client problems, addressing issues and meeting the needs of clients, industries and communities we operate in.

Barbex is Proud to Offer: • Materials Supply • Liaison with Regulatory Agencies • An International Standard of Health and Safety and Sustainability Performance • Professional and Approachable Delivery Teams • A Regional Business Structure and Local Employment

Managing Director - Henry Tabi

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Materials Supplies & Inventory Management Barbex currently distributes both hazardous and non-hazardous mining chemicals to various mines in and around Ghana. We have a working relationship with Goldfields Ghana Limited, Newmont Ghana Gold Limited, Anglogold Ahanti (Iduapriem), Golden Star Resources, Perseus Mining, Newcrest Mining Limited in Cote

d’Ivoire, Cluff’s Kalsaka Mine in Burkina Faso etc.

We have experience in handling the following list of chemicals: • • • • • • •

Sodium Cyanide Calcium Oxide Hydrogen Peroxide Activated Carbon Caustic Soda Hydrochloric Acid Sulphuric Acid

Liaison with Regulatory Services Understanding regulatory agencies can be challenging, let Barbex navigate through the red tape, as our 25 years of experience in West Africa has taught us how to.

We, at Barbex, act as a Customs House Agent. We clear all materials contracted to us by our principals and Mining Companies on consignment stock or supply agreement on Delivered Duties Paid or Unpaid Basis (DDU or DDP) Basis.

We provide specialised logistics to the mining industry including liaising with the following relevant agencies: • Minerals Commission • Customs, Excise & Preventive Service • Environmental Protection Agency

• Inspection Companies.

• Chamber of Mines Health and Safety • Safety is our number one priority and we are committed to ensuring that the international standards are never compromised.

• Our well-trained heavy-duty drivers ensure safe delivery of products to customer sites.

• Our Safety, Health and Environmental officers also provide a safe working environment for workers and consumers.

• We ensure that we are compliant with all EPA and Minerals Commission rules as well as that of the international bodies we are associated with.

• We also maintain working relationships with companies who themselves comply with safety standards.

Local Employment and Sustainability Barbex, a wholly Ghanaian-owned company, recognises the significant influence and impact that mining has upon the economic, environmental and social wellbeing of the communities in which we operate.

Our goals include: • Operating as a regional contractor, employing locally and using a sustainable local supply chain to benefit the communities in which our workforce lives.

• Employing staff and workforce locally under equal opportunity conditions and committing to training within the workplace.

• Minimising waste sent to landfills/tailings dam. etc.

Barbex: Creating Value Along The Way. For more information, email us at contact@barbexonline.com barbexaccra@gmail.com Our head office is located at #3, St. John’s Methodist Church Street Tantra Hills Accra P.O.Box GP 308, Accra Tel: +233 302 420050 www.barbexonline.com Best of Ghana

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Orica Ghana Limited Blasting mines into the future above and underground.

Orica Ghana has established itself as a leader in mining explosives, ground support systems and gold extraction chemicals. With global headquarters in Melbourne, Australia, it has extensive presence in the rest of Africa.

ORICA Specialises in three areas: 1. Commercial Explosives and Blasting Systems 2. Ground Support 3. Mining Chemicals Our Vision Clever Resourceful Solution Orica’s vision is to provide clever resourceful solutions to its customers around the world.

This vision is delivered by an organisation focused on customer needs and collaboration, operational excellence, innovation and the creation of value for customers and shareholders alike.

President: John Dramani Mahama

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Our Values No accidents today Orica staff are committed to the safety of each other, its customers and the community. Its aspiration is no harm and zero accidents of any kind – personal, plant or environmental. Our question is: “How can we have no accidents today?”

If we have no accidents today and tomorrow, we can do it forever.

Succeed Thorough Collaboration Orica works together as one business across many geographies and embraces the diversity of its team. It respects and values the participation of everyone.

“Trusted partnerships are built with stakeholders and success is only achieved if they fell as though they have succeeded with us.”

Find valuable solutions Orica looks for solutions that add value to its business and customers.

“We are committed to continually improve, innovate and find better ways of doing things. We listen to our customers’ needs and invest in research and technology to develop new ideas”.

It’s our business Orica acts with integrity and honesty. “We

are accountable for our actions and make decisions in line with our economic, social and environmental responsibilities. We set goals and deliver results. We communicate our strategy so we can all participate and find opportunities to grow our business.

The Strategy With a firm footprint in Ghana, Orica has a strategy that will see it quickly expand throughout the rest of the continent as the mining industry expands through new project development across the region.

Africa is recognised as one of the company’s greatest opportunities for

growth and this is reflected in its focus and investment.

That said, Orica Ghana has positioned itself to gain maximum exposure from the African mining sector.

Orica already runs operations in Senegal, Tanzania, The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mozambique, Zambia and South Africa – its strategy to spread its services and products across the world’s largest untapped continent is already well aligned and its aspirations easier to achieve.

Impressively, Orica already employs 700 staff across Africa.

This is planned to grow. Internationally, it employs 14,000 people with customers in more than 100 countries.

Orica Ghana Limited PMB CT 472 Cantonments Accra, Ghana #5, Fifth Street Off Senchi Street Airport Residential Area Tel: +233 302 775100 Mobile: +233 244 461779 www.orica.com Best of Ghana

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ATLAS COPCO GHANA LIMITED

Simulator Room

Sami Niiranen

HISTORY Atlas Copco Ghana Limited was established in 1992 to serve the country’s mining industry (both in underground and surface operations).

It is one of the customer centres of the Atlas Copco Group. The company is currently a leading supplier of mining equipment, compressors, and road construction equipment. The company also provides aftermarket services in the country and has branches in Accra, Obuasi, and Tema. Atlas Copco Ghana has regional responsibility over Liberia, Cameroun and Sierre Leone.

VISION To become and remain First in Mind – First in Choice for customers and other stakeholders.

PRODUCT & SERVICES Atlas Copco Ghana operates through a number of divisions within three main business areas; Mining and Rock Excavation Technique (MR), Compressor Technique (CT) and Construction Technique (CR).

Mining and Rock Excavation Technique President: John markets Dramani Mahama business area and services underground drilling rigs for tunneling and mining applications, surface drilling rigs, loading equipment, exploration drilling equipment as well as the related after market and drilling consumables, all designed to

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help achieve high productivity with moderate maintenance costs.

The Green Leaders Wall Project amongst others.

The Compressor Technique business area provides industrial compressors, gas and process compressors and expanders, air and gas treatment equipment and air management systems. Compressor Technique innovates for sustainable productivity in the manufacturing, oil and gas, and process industries.

LEADERSHIP The Company in September, 2014 hired its new General Manager from Sweden in the person of Mr. Sami Niiranen. With his rich expertise in the industry coupled with his experience with the Atlas Copco Group, the Company is strategically positioned to soar to greater heights.

The Construction Technique business area provides construction and demolition tools, portable compressors, pumps and generators, lighting towers, and equipment for road construction, compaction & paving.

It offers service through a global network.

Construction Technique innovates for sustainable productivity in infrastructure, civil works and road construction projects.

We aim to serve our customers more efficiently and effectively to enable their business grow in a sustainable way.

After Market Services The Company can also boast of a well-defined aftermarket (service) team which offers expert service and training to customers to increase their production capacities.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY The company continuously strives to be a good corporate citizen and as part of its corporate social responsibilities, provides support within the community within which it operates in the areas of Education, Community Engagement and Health. Some of the activities that the company has undertaken include support for St. Nicholas Charity Foundation, The Pamela Bridgewater Kayayei Project, Connecting Kids Education Foundation, Obuasi Municipal Assembly,

We remain committed to Sustainable Productivity.

Head Office #19 Akosombo Street Airport Residential Area P.O. Box AN 10071, Accra-North Tel: +233 302 774512 Fax: +233 302 776147 Email: info.ghana@gh.atlascopco.com www.atlascopco.com Obuasi Branch Dankwa Estate Anyinam Road P.O. Box 119 Tel: +233 3225 40297 Fax: +233 3225 40385 Tema Branch Light Industrial Area Comm. 12 - Tema PT 11/12 Tel: +233 303 308162/72 Fax: +233 303 308180

COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTIVITY We stand by our responsibilities towards our customers, towards the environment and the people around us. We make performance stand the test of time. This is what we call Sustainable Productivity.

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Allied Home Store Ltd Allied Home Store Ltd, is a Member of “The Allied Group”, which includes Alliance Automotive Product & Services Ltd, Allied Estates Ltd and Kumho Kwikfit Service Centre Ltd. Incorporated in Ghana on 22nd January 1987, business commenced on the 17th of March 1987, in the Automobile Industry (Automotive Tyres and Automotive Batteries) with a strong presence throughout the country. Allied Home Stores Ltd prides itself with a strong sense of Mission, Dedicated Professionals combining Modern Expertise and Traditional Values to achieve results for Clients, Shareholders and Stakeholders.

VISION To be the Market Leader in the Automotive Tyre, Battery, Tyre Repair Patch, Garage Equipment and Welding Electrode Industry in Ghana by delivering Quality Products and Commitment to total Customer Satisfaction.

MISSION Allied Home Stores Limited is committed to building a strong customer-oriented company, run by knowledgeable and well motivated staff and providing quality products (Automotive Tyre, Battery, Tyre Repair Patch, Garage Equipment and Welding Electrode) to meet the requirements and satisfaction of clients.

OPERATIONS The company operates in Greater Accra, the Western Region, Ashanti, Brong Ahafo and the Northern region through a Dedicated Network of Distributors. We also export our products to countries within the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African Countries) Region.

PRODUCT RANGE • BKT Brand of Tyres (Construction - OTR - Agricultural - Industrial - Made in India) • KUMHO Brand of Tyres (Pcr - 4x4 - Lcv Radial - Truck Radial - Made in Korea) • ROADSTONE Brand of Tyres (Pcr - 4x4 Lcv Radial - Made in Korea) • MAXAM Brand of Tyres (Construction and OTR – Made in Luxemburg) • GRECKSTER Brand (Industrial, forklift & solid resilient tyres and LCV - Made in India) • Sumo Frenza Brand of Tyres (Truck Radial - Made in China) • OMNI Brand (Tyre Patches and Tyre Bead Lube-Made in India and USA) • ALLIED Brand- Inner Tubes and Flaps Made in Korea • HYUNDAI ENERCELL- Brand of Batteries - Made in Korea) • D&H Secheron Welding Electrodes & Accessories (Made in India) • Benpack-Tyre-service/Garage equipment / Compressors for Garages (Made in USA) With the range of products, we are able to supply all your Tires, Battery and Industrial requirements, for your fleet of Vehicles, Workshops and Factories.

WORKFORCE The company has a workforce of 50 excluding the chairman and the Directors.

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Award in 2012 – PS71(KU39)

Award in 2013 – ES51(KH27)

The first company in the field to receive 2nd consecutive award

ORGANISATIONAL CHART

Chairman Gp. Financial Director

Country HeadOTR Tyres Warehouse Manager

Allied Home Stores Ltd has its head office located at North Industrial Area, sharing a wall with the Accra Metropolitan Authority Assemble Building and Opposite Sappy Snappy Snack Company.

Chief Accountant Accounts Officers

Export Officers

Warehouse Officers

Gp. Marketing Director Regional Manager

Tire Field Service Manager

Marketing Officers

Marketing Officers

Head Office: Plot No. 52, Otublohum Street Accra North Industrial Area Tel: +233 302 226354, 231973, 7011316 Fax: +233 302 252354 Email: info@alliedgp.com Group Director-Finance: Mr Raj N. Mukhi Mob: +233 244 320 839 Email: raj@alliedgp.com Group Director-Marketing: Mr. K.N. Mukhi Mob: +233 244 319220 Email: knm@alliedgp.com Country Head – OTR Tyres: Mr. Manoranjan Dash Mob: +233 244 336535 Email: manoranjandash@rediffmail.com Tire Field Service Engineer: Mr Sudhakar Mishra Mob: +233 244-544316192 Email: sudhakarmishra@alliedgp.com

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OVERSEAS UNION LTD. Accra-Ghana Honda Overseas Union Ltd. Was established in Ghana in 1988 as a Family Concern dealing in General Commerce and Foreign Trade and Power Products Division of the Honda Motor Company Ltd. In

-

Honda Water Pumps Honda Lawn Mowers Honda Genuine Spare Parts and

ACTIVITY Distributor for the motorcycles and power products division of the -

Honda Motorcycles

XR 250 TORNADO

Get Performance, Value and Style ST 1300 PAF P

AFS 110 (Dream)

Work or Play,

HONDA 4 – Stroke leads the way,

ECONOMICAL

RELIABLE

NC 750PI

CLEAN! No oil burned as fuel means less annoying smoke emissions, less exhaust smell, and no oil build in the exhaust system.

LOW MAINTENANCE Fewer messy oil top-up chores and no oil added to the fuel mixture less sparkplug fouling

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Powerful 125cc Engine Outstanding Fuel Economy

Ace (CB125-D)

-

Outstanding Power

-

Excellent value for money

-

Modern stylish design

CTX 200 CGL 125

XR 150L

XR 125L

Ace (CB 125)

Honda motorcycles are regularly selected agencies and other groups in more than 70 countries around the world.

ACCRA TEMA

OVERSEAS UNION LTD.

Autocycle Centre, 1 Dzorshie Street, Awudome Roundabout, North Kaneshie

Shop No. 10, Community 25 Mall, Tema-Dawhenya Road

PMB, Accra-North, Ghana

Tel: +233 (0)332 095 501 / +233 (0)332 095 523

Tel: +233 (0)302 220 216 / 302 221768 Fax: +233 302 226131

E-mail: service@hondagh.com

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Retail

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es fit

Melcom Group of Companies The Melcom Group of Companies consists of six separate entities: Melcom Limited, Century Industries Limited, Crownstar Electronic Industries Limited, Melcom Travel & Tours Limited, Melcom Hospitality Limited and Melcom Care Foundation, the philanthropic arm that participates in all CSR Activities.

Mission Statement We will provide branded products and services of the highest value and superior quality, which will improve the lives of the Ghanaian community.

Vision Statement We are proud to be a family business.

However, we don’t expect everyone to be alike. Variance such as where we grew up and under what circumstances; how we live; and what we are passionate about can help the synergy in MGC and make us strong, energised and constantly revitalised. Our diversity and inclusive vision supports this belief.

At MGC we perceive to facilitate: The best people of all walks of life, working to their

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optimum capacity, assisted by a culture of fair standards and acceptance to channel innovation, quality and excellent results.

Awards & Credentials • Ranked 2nd Most Valuable Business Brand for the Year 2014 • Winner of Samsung Best Retail Coverage CE Partner Award 2014 • Winner of CIMG Best Retail Outlet for 12 Consecutive Years • Winner of the Ashanti Business Award for 9 Consecutive Years • Awarded Superbrands 2012 Melcom Limited From its humble beginnings in 1989, there has been no stopping the retail chain’s growth. Melcom now has 32 retail outlets

and is proud to have opened what is the single largest shop in the nation (Melcom Plus - Kaneshie covers an area of over 90,000 square feet). The Group is continuing to grow at an increasing rate to meet the changing needs of the country’s customers.

Known for offering the largest variety of goods under one roof (at last count over 40,000 items procured locally as well as from around the globe), Melcom has indeed

become a household name in Ghana, where anything and everything required to furnish and run a home, school or business is readily available.

By sourcing products from all over the world, Melcom is able to offer shoppers a huge range of extremely affordable goods, leaving customers spoilt for choice.

With affordability, variety, uniform pricing and a shop in every major city in Ghana, we

have captured the hearts of Ghanaians to become the place “Where Ghana Shops”.

The Chartered Institute of Marketing of Ghana (CIMG) has also recognised the zeal of the company’s employees and management by awarding Melcom “Best Retail Outlet of the Year” for five consecutive years and eventually inducting the Group into the CIMG’s “Hall of Fame” for a further seven consecutive years.

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President: John Dramani Mahama

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Crown Star Electronic Industry Limited The company was established in 1992 and embarked upon major expansion in 1997. From its beginnings in electronics assembly, the Company now operates a fully-fledged after-sales Service Centre, fully equipped with state-of-the-art machinery and tools.

Every customer who purchases an electronic product from Melcom Limited automatically gets a 12-month manufacturer’s warranty supported

by Crown Star. Services includes free transport of the damaged item to Head Office in Accra, from any Melcom shop in the country. After completion of the service, the item is sent back to the shop in question – again, free of charge.

Crown Star is the authorised Service Centre for the following brands: Sharp, Sony, Panasonic, Akai, Casio, Frigidaire, Yamaha, Nikon, Pioneer, Moulinex,

Tefal, Philips, Kenwood, Indesit, Ariston, Wahl, Hitachi, Black & Decker, Samsung, Optima, Voltplus, Masterchef, and Sukam.

Century Industries Limited This is a plastic (injection moulding) manufacturing industry, producing insulated products and domestic household plasticware. The Company was incorporated into the Melcom Group in the year 2000, with the objective of producing high-quality plastic products at affordable prices for the people of Ghana and their neighbouring countries.

Extensive research was undertaken prior to the implementation of our first production facility, which uses the latest technology in injection moulding machinery to produce products of the highest quality. We have always strived to fulfil the needs of the increasingly demanding market through continuous improvement of our range and quality.

This, along with a hard-working and dynamic management team, has led to the growth of Century Industries from a manufacturer of only 15 items to over 200 diverse products today, including basins, buckets, store containers, thermoware and more. Injection moulding, polyurethane foaming, ultrasonic welding, shrink packaging, custom screen printing and pad printing are the main drivers of production at Century Industries, which operates for 24 hours, six days a week and employs 255 skilled technicians and workers.

Melcom Travel and Tours This is the travel agency of the Melcom Group of Companies; its mission is to bring convenient and affordable travel to their customers’ doorstep. With IATA accredited Melcom Travel and Tours is an authorised agent for all major airlines operating out of Ghana.

Melcom Travel and Tours differentiates itself from its competitors by giving personalised attention to each customer.

The speedy and efficient service has enabled us to work with clientele including multinational companies, embassy personnel and dignitaries.

We specialised in adventure tourism and travel and also provide customised travel arrangements and packages. We place high value on quality and attention to detail, and we strive to exceed our clients’ expectations by continually keeping up to date with the latest trends, hot spots and developments in the travel industry. At Melcom Travel & Tours, we seek to make the globe easily accessible while also giving our clients the ultimate travel experience.

Melcom Hospitality This is the new addition to Melcom Group of Companies. The company has already

established a coffee shop and a bakery.

Baker’s Basket produces cookies and different types of breads, which are sold at Melcom stores nationwide. MCafe is the first coffee shop, which serves pastries, pizza, chicken, rice, fresh juices, popcorn and much more. There is currently one location in Melcom Plus in Industrial Area and a MCafe-To-Go in East Legon. An economical range of hotels for comfort and convenience is already in the pipeline.

Melcom Group Of Companies Office: +233 302 251784-88 / Fax: +233 302 251783 2nd Palace Link Road Off Dadeban Road North Industrial Area P. O. Box 3920, Accra, Ghana www.melcomgroup.com

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CHAPTER 13

Industry & Manufacturing

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ellence in xc

E

ellence in xc

ality Qu

Quality Improved

ality Qu

E

info@everpack.net www.everpack.net

Tel: 0302 229804 / 227992

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Olam Ghana First established in 1994, Olam’s Ghana operations have grown to become one of the leading agribusinesses in the country, with over 680 employees and more than 750 further seasonal workers.

With investments to date reaching nearly 110 million GHC, Olam has won the enviable distinction of being among the largest private Licensed Buying Companies (LBC) in Ghana’s cocoa sector, the country’s leading cashew exporter and one of its largest importers of rice. In 2012, a new state-of-the-art wheat flour mill was opened in Tema, making Olam one of the country’s leading millers. In addition, Olam Ghana operates a biscuit manufacturing facility and a tomato paste processing and canning facility, which has one of the largest installed capacities in West Africa and is one of the few in the world with can-making and canning under one roof. These manufacturing facilities produce a portfolio of international quality, strong, recognised brands, making Olam one of Ghana’s top branded Packaged Food Companies as well.

When it comes to sourcing and buying crops, Olam Ghana has an indirect network of nearly 300,000 smallholders. We support many with finance, infrastructure and input supply, training on Good Agricultural Practices, good social practices, good environmental practices and also offering additional livelihood support. To formalise these initiatives, Olam

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International, the parent company of Olam Ghana Limited headquartered in Singapore, launched the global Olam Livelihood Charter (OLC) in 2010 as a practical and measurable framework with focus on creating economic prosperity among farming communities, improving social welfare and safeguarding the environment. In Ghana, 28,000 cashew and cocoa farmers are embraced by the OLC. In cocoa, the OLC project covers four QCC districts (Asawinso, Nsawora, Wiawso and Twifo Praso), 92 communities and 5,797 farmers. The company provides the farmers with interest-free loans and pre-finance for crop purchase. As part of this initiative, Olam Ghana has constructed 50 chemical storage facilities, made available 400 sets of Personal Protective Equipment for spraying gangs, and provided good water sources for farmers by building bore-holes for some communities.

In addition to providing free fertiliser, 74,000 hybrid cocoa seedlings were distributed amongst 500 cocoa farmers, as well as 76,000 tree seedlings provided as shade trees and for fallow land projects. In Bia Juabeso, Olam has been working with 2,125 farmers and Rainforest Alliance to produce the world’s first

‘climate smart’ cocoa where farmers learn climate change mitigation and adaptation techniques.

Olam Ghana’s cashew project - ‘Raising Cashew Farmer Livelihoods in Ghana’ has registered almost 22,000 cashew farmers and organised them into 191 farmer associations.

Almost 19,000 of the farmers, over 50% of whom are female, have been trained on how to establish new cashew farms. Olam Ghana has also trained a total of about 11,000 farmers in sanitation, farm maintenance, harvest and post-harvest techniques. Under this project, 85,000 cashew seedlings have been distributed for free to 519 farmers in the Techiman zone and 143 farmers in the Sampa zone. The quality of Raw Cashew Nuts (RCN) has also improved significantly, especially in the Techiman zone where the average RCN increased from 46lbs in 2013 to 48lbs in 2014 in areas where the programme was carried out.

Most of these farmers and their families are now benefitting from better livelihoods as a result of the improved income from their businesses, and food security is thereby enhanced. They are motivated to grow more quality cashew and cocoa – and this in turn will help to create more employment as we strengthen the position of the Ghanaian farmers in sustainable global supply chains.

Olam Ghana remains as committed as ever to investing in communities to build a future of shared prosperity.

Committed to a future of shared prosperity Olam Ghana: supporting thriving rural communities For over 20 years, Olam Ghana has set the standard and gone beyond business as usual to reinvest and give back to the communities we operate in. By providing financial aid, free input supply and infrastructure, as well as training on agricultural and social best practices to over 30,000 farmers, Olam Ghana has helped increase harvest yields, created employment and improve the lives of thousands across the country.

Olam Ghana Limited, 17 Dadeban Road, North Industrial Area, PO Box GP 1847, Accra Tel: (+233) 302 222 200 / 302 228 461, www.olamgroup.com

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Ghana Electrometer (GEM) Ghana Electrometer (GEM) was established in 2003 in response to the increasing demand for quality electricity meters in Ghana. The company has since grown into a dedicated, fully integrated, electricity metering solutions provider and utilities management organisation.

The company, which supplies ISO/ IEC certified credit and prepayment meters to government through the Ministry of Power and electricity distribution companies, was the first to set up an assembly plant in Ghana.

Through the company’s strategic partnership with the Electrometer Group (EMG) of Egypt, Ghana Electrometer has gained the technology, skill and capacity to offer the Ghanaian and West African Markets electronic meters with modern technologies.

We are an organisation with a global ambition and we are savvy in realising our objectives. Our Vision is to be the preferred metering solutions provider in West Africa.

Our Mission is to provide customers with metering systems that meet and exceed expectations of quality and performance, on time, every time and at the best time.

President: John Dramani Mahama

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Values • Respect: Understanding and Honesty • Transparency: Proper Appreciation and Excellence • Sense of Urgency: Punctuality • Safety

Corporate Goals and Strategic Objectives We create and own an internationally recognised strong metering system within the West African sub region.

We accomplish this by: taking into consideration the specific requirements of our clients; facilitating the maximisation of revenue collection efforts by utilities who use our products, while at the same time, ensuring satisfied end users; creating value for all stakeholders including employees and shareholders.

Scope and Direction GEM has so far produced for deployment approximately one million prepayment and credit meters in many cities in Ghana through the Ministry of Power and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). The organisation continues to expand to other regions of Ghana as well as to other West African countries.

So far, the meters deployed by GEM in Ghana are working satisfactorily.

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Health and Safety We have integrated premium health and safety procedures at all levels within our operations from Admin to core metering solutions. These procedures provide for both routine and emergency situations.

Continuous education on compliance with safety standards is mandatory on all our installations.

We strive to lower the possible impact of our company activities on the environment by constantly using the right ecological materials, improving production processes as well as lowering waste production. We do this by using the following approaches: • Exchange of Information; • Compliance with Legislation; • Increase Awareness Creation among Employees; • Regular Assessment of Environmental Policy.

Our meters have been certified by worldrenowned quality laboratories including KEMA-Netherlands and SGS-UK. We also have lifetime certification from OFGEM-UK.

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Locally, our products have been approved by the Ghana Standards Authority.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Our commitment to the communities in which we operate is embedded in our vision: To be the preferred metering solutions provider in West Africa.

Therefore, the exercise of responsibility to our customers and the environment features prominently in our activities. Our CSR initiatives promote development and long-lasting relationships with the communities. As a community-oriented organisation which subscribes fully to experiential learning, GEM constantly collaborates with our stakeholders to engage in useful and educative programmes. Our senior officials and operatives have engagements with key stakeholders and community leaders within the areas we operate; this has enabled us to maintain excellent working relationships within our communities. GEM believes in corporate social investments which benefit the community directly.

We have supported orphanages and the

underprivileged. We recently restored street lighting to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi. Ghana Electro Meter (GEM) currently employs about 150 staff; over 50 contractors and temporary staff also work directly on the company’s projects on an ad hoc basis. GEM upholds and promotes fundamental human rights by consistently demonstrating itself to be a responsible corporate citizen in Ghana and around the world. We view our key stakeholders as partners. Stakeholder groups with whom we interact include the Ministry of Power, the Electricity Company of Ghana, Association of Ghana Industries, the media and the general public.

Customer Service We match our services to the precise needs of our clients to create the outcomes they want. Our continuous exposure to an evolving industry ensures that our clients have access to the latest technology.

At GEM, our customers are the first priority. That is why our services start with the customer. Our customer needs assessment service includes the following:

• • • • • • •

Analysis of customer challenge; Analysis of customer resources; Analysis of current customer systems; Consumer survey; Solution feasible study; Solution design; Project finance.

Pre Installation Services Our trained and certified technicians also support customers with the following services: • Site surveys; • Training of personnel; • Consumer awareness campaigns.

Installation The following services are carried out at the project’s implementation stage: • Meter installation; • Management of smart card software for prepayment system; • Interfacing with existing systems; • Supply of smart card for prepayment system; • Supply of disposable cards for recharging vending stations.

After Sales Service Because our customers matter a lot to us, we support them with the after-sale services below: • Software/ Database Upgrades • Meter Firmware Upgrades • Meter Hardware Upgrades • Training of Specialists • Communication Network Upgrades Products We currently supply a range of credit and prepaid meters to the Electricity Company of Ghana. Our electromechanical and electronic (post and prepaid) meters are of high quality and standard specifications. Our certified meters have the following features: • • • • • • • • •

Measure of Electricity Consumption High Accuracy Tamper Proof Multi-Tariff Meter Data Collection Revenue Collection Network Losses Measurement Upgradable Meter Hardware Peak Demand Monitoring

• Load Limit Control • Auto Billing Process • On-line Control Proudly Ghanaian As a Ghanaian company, GEM exists to support Ghana’s energy sector and to assist government in attaining its vision of a resilient economy. It does so by providing meters which facilitate revenue generation, collection and protection. Therefore, GEM meets the need for government institutions to give first-hand consideration to local service providers to ensure that the revenue accrued from these partnerships is reinvested into the economy for expansion and growth of the local industry.

#62 Miamona Close, Ring Road South Industrial Area P.O. Box OS784, Accra-Ghana.

Tel: +233-302-661615 +233-302-678984 Fax: +233-302-689977 Email: info@electrometer.com.gh www.electrometer.com.gh Best of Ghana

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All Afra Electric Company limited All Afra Electric Company limited is a renowned Electric Company Founded by the late Mr. Carlos Scott Allston, a Machinist from California U.S.A in October 1965.

President: John Dramani Mahama

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All Afra Electric Co. Ltd

We are a group of Electrical Engineers and Contractors with close to 50 years of experience in the field who work with both government and private entities.

Some of our activities include System Design, Construction and Maintenance for Power Projects, Street lighting, Security lighting and Sports lighting. Some of the projects we have worked on include: 1. Job 600 – power supply/ Sub station 2. Osu castle – Seat of government, installation and maintenance of area lighting 3. Police headquarters – Wiring 4. Rural electrification schemes, extension of overhead 33KV and 11KV lines 5. Electricity substation network

6. Substation network construction work for E.C.G 7. Street light installation and maintenance of ceremonial road in Accra 8. Wiring of both commercial and private properties including apartments and office buildings We also Design, Procure and Install all forms of Renewable Energy Projects for Efficient Power Generation, Distribution and Maintenance of such Systems.

All Afra (AA) Electric Ltd P.O. Box 5766 Accra Ring Rd. North Ind. Tel: 030 2-222952 Best of Ghana

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AGAPET LIMITED Agapet Ltd was set up in 2002 and commenced operations in June 2003. It emerged during a period of indigenisation of the petroleum downstream sector in Ghana during which a number of indigenous companies were licensed to operate in the sector.

President: John Dramani Mahama

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The indigenous Oil Marketing Companies emerged to fill a gap left by the established companies especially, the multinationals that only tended to operate in geographical locations that offered them a certain minimum Return on their investments. Thus the indigenous companies managed to turn locations previously considered unprofitable by the multinationals into successful and profitable retail outlets.

Agapet has grown tremendously since its inception. From a humble beginning of three retail outlets the company now operates a total of 45 modern fuel service and filling stations. The company is represented in 8 out of the 10 administrative regions in Ghana.

It has its head office in Tema and regional offices in Kumasi and Takoradi.

Agapet distributes and retails most of the petroleum products on the Ghanaian market including gasoline, gas oil, premix fuel, LPG, RFO and MGO. It also deals in high-grade motor and industrial lubricants and is an authorised dealer of GAZPROMNEFT range of lubricants and greases. Most of its retail

outlets also operate modern convenience shopping facilities, vulcanising and tyre centres and car wash facilities. It also operates its own fuel haulage trucks and presently has a fleet size of 10 of such trucks which are used to carry the company’s own products only.

The company is presently in the middle of a five-year strategic plan to develop more retail outlets across the country. It has acquired about 15 land banks that are being developed systematically to ensure it is able to keep pace with competition and ensure market share retention.

Agapet currently employs about 80 direct employees and 300 indirect employees at the retail outlets.

Corporate Vision The vision of Agapet Limited is to become a strong and viable private sector energy supply company managed according to the highest standards of professionalism, efficiency and respect for people and the environment.

Mission Statement To make a positive contribution to the Ghanaian society through the provision of reliable and efficient energy resources in such a manner as to exceed the expectations of our stakeholders.

Core Values Our Core Values are: • Leadership • Integrity • Professionalism • Efficiency • Social Responsibility

1st Floor, Agapet House New Dawhenya (Off Tema-Aflao Road) P.O. Box CS 8989, Tema-Ghana Tel: +233-24-464-6113 +233-24-344-1595 Email: info@agapetlimited.com www.agapetlimited.com Best of Ghana

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COMPU-GHANA Ghana seems to be on track to becoming Africa’s next hotspot for retailers, according to new research

by Euromonitor International.

Compu-Ghana offers quality products with exceptional reliability and competitive pricing so customers get the best value for their money.

Special promotional offers are occasionally rolled out as well.

HISTORY Compu-Ghana started operations in the year 2006 with only two people.

The very first office was located inside the Busy Internet building situated on the prominent Ring Road in Accra.

Over the years, Compu-Ghana continued to build its firm reputation with quality product offerings and exceptional customer service. In the year 2007, Compu-Ghana opened its flagship store on Oxford Street in Osu, Accra.

THE MARKET Ghana has been identified as a country with a positive business environment in which foreign retailers can invest. According to Euromonitor, Ghana is considered by many as the gateway to West Africa and its 250 million consumers largely because of its vibrant retail environment. It acts as an exit point for landlocked nations (such as Niger) and, as an English-speaking nation, has close ties with US and British businesses.

The majority of modern retail space has been developed in Accra (Ghana’s capital), due to better infrastructure and access to a large population. The Euromonitor research notes that Ghana’s retail industry achieved 14% value growth between 2006 and 2011, which reflects the strength of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies in the country.

Compu Ghana is one of the biggest Ghanaian retailers and has a huge presence in Ghana’s major cities– specialising in IT office equipment, electronics and IT solutions. According to the report, Compu Ghana has a clear advantage over most international competitors.”

The Compu-Ghana brand has an enormous product range that caters to all market segments with competitive pricing and quality products that offer value. For the top-end of the market the company offers its range of premium IT products and Home appliances with the latest specifications, features and variants to choose from. For the bottom end of the market,

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In the following year, the flagship store was renovated and extended to cover an area of 700m and offered an ever-increasing range of IT products, Home Appliances, Tablet devices and various software for Windows, Mac and Linux platforms.

Further, a fully equipped service centre to cater to the repair and maintenance aspect was also inaugurated adjacent to the Oxford street store. The service centre undertakes networking projects, SLAs (Service Level Agreements), warranty repairs/spares, turnkey projects and offers genuine replacement spare-parts.

A new service centre along-with a dedicated solutions division has been introduced in 2010 to serve our corporate clients. After official opening it has been considered to be the largest service centre in Ghana with highly trained technical personnel and solutions consultants.

As a part of continuing expansion, another outlet was opened in the year 2009 in Adabraka, a suburb of Accra followed by additional branch offices/stores on Spintex Road in Accra, another branches at Danosman, Marina Mall, Osu Mall and also in Takoradi and Kumasi. Further expansion is in the pipeline to make Compu-Ghana the largest preferred IT products

and solutions company. As of today Compu-Ghana has a network of 9 Branches in major cities of Ghana.

THE PRODUCT Various IT products have their own distinctive market and consumers.

Compu-Ghana’s motto is to offer genuine products at “genuine” prices and offer after sales and customer service that is second to none. This motto is further reinforced through our partnerships with top-notch technology vendors who are market leaders in their respective categories.

In addition to the final products, Compu-Ghana also specializes in CCTV, Access Control and POS Solutions. From A to Z, CompuGhana provides you the biggest team of IT experts in Ghana to help you deploying the newest solutions in the market. (Sales, deployment and support).

All Compu-Ghana stores have a consistent layout and display areas so our customers can feel at ease to browse through the multitude of products we offer at all our stores.

Subtle Indirect lighting is also utilized to enhance the display areas according to the type of item displayed. Most of the products are segregated according to various brand names for easy identification and well trained sales floor personnel are available to assist customers with their purchases.

BRAND VALUES The Compu Ghana brand is one which is gradually acquiring top of mind awareness in Ghana’s ever growing IT industry not only because of the advertising messages it churns out on the various media platforms but also because the company has become synonymous with quality and retailing of original products. And on a market which is daily invaded by cheap imitations of brand name products, being known for selling only original products is a good approach to grow a brand. The company also prides itself on delighting the customer at each touch point. So customer service is given high priority. Compu Ghana’s brand is an iconic and unique one, separating them from almost all the retailers of high end electronic and IT equipment. The Letters “CG” and the “miniature map of Ghana” in our corporate logo reflect the consistency in all our qualities.

Our stores all over Ghana offer the same great service that CompuGhana is known for.

THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT COMPU GHANA 1. Compu-Ghana started operations in the year 2006 with only two people.

2. The very first office was located inside the Busy Internet building.

3. Incorporated in the Compu Ghana logo is a miniature map of Ghana emphasizing the company’s Ghanaian roots.

4. Regular product availability and fast delivery are key elements.

5. Our delivery times are the shortest!

Email: info@compughana.com Tel: +233 30 7070701 +233 30 7070702 +233 30 7070703 +233 30 7070704 www.compughana.com Best of Ghana

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SOCCABET As a Leader in its firm, SOCCABET is a focused online sports-betting business spreading all around Ghana.

Soccabet cover offline, online, mobile and telephone betting operations.

As one of the Ghana’s leading betting companies, it pride itself in offering its customers the widest range of betting and gaming products and opportunities.

Soccabet ensures its customers have consistent product experience across all channels. The latest offering from Soccabet is its mobile betting platform which allows its customers to place bets on their favorite sporting event whether they are at home, out and about or even at the event itself. It promises to provide its customers with the best possible service wherever they are.

Soccabet headquarters is located in Accra, OSU. However, 60 shops distributed all around Ghana to provide its customers the best service and support wherever they are located.

Our vision – to turn innovation into value The world is changing fast and technology is constantly moving forward.

We are committed to bringing the best of these innovations to our clients and converting these innovations into value using the newest tools and

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methods and providing them by the easiest and safest way ever.

The key to success!

Our vision is based on the commitment to building long-term relationships with our clients and business partners by offering innovative and competitive services and solutions. However, our commitment to the sports industry goes far beyond just being a profitable organization: we stand for integrity and fair play. Alongside partnerships with market leading companies in the sports betting and media industries, Soccabet is leading in its firm providing its clients with the best service ever in Ghana. In order to ensure and further improve the unrivalled quality of our product portfolio, we invest in the most motivated and skilled employees, new technologies, and the best support available worldwide. By looking forward, understanding the trends and forces that will shape the future of our industry, and acting quickly to prepare for what lies ahead we ensure our business continues to thrive.

Over 10,000 clients, all around Ghana provinces use SOCCABET as their only reference in online sports betting services. We are proud of our achievements and work hard to deliver on our promise of being a great place to work where people are inspired to be the best they can be. Powerful emotions such as passion, winning, anticipation, optimism and fun link the emotional world of sports and the commercialization of rational sports data. SOCCABET confidently balances both – its team of over 1,000 professional and highly motivated employees have one thing

does not accept clients under 18 years old.

• Access to Customer History A full history of transactions, withdrawals and deposits can be viewed by customers in the profile section when logged in. Customers can also view their current balance in their profile. This information is always displayed in the account section for each user for reference.

in common: a passion for precision and accuracy.

WHY SOCCABET BEST ODDS, BEST SPORTS BETTING VARIETIES,BEST BONUS SYSTEM,BEST BETTING SYSTEM,BEST ONLINE PRODUCTS, BEST SHOP PRODUCTS,BEST & FASTEST PAYMENT GATEWAYS,BEST WEEKLY PRIZES,BEST WEEKLY DEALS,BEST CUSTOMER SUPPORT.

• Keeping Control Our customers are the most important part of our business. We understand that while the majority plays well within their limits, for some users keeping control of their bankroll might come as a challenge. To help them stay in control of their gambling habits, we strongly urge our customers to remember the following rules: • Gambling is a form of entertainment and should not be seen as a way of making money • Chasing losses is a dangerous way to play • You should only play with money that you can afford to live without • Keep track of the time and the amount of money you spend when gambling

For all your requests, kindly contact us using the information below: E-mail: support@soccabet.com Call us: 0307 085 888 www.soccabet.com

Why Soccabet? 10 reasons above are more than enough to make SOCCABET the only, but the best reference for any client looking for a reliable, trustful and leading sports betting company.

GAMBLING RESPONSIBLY • Play Responsibly At SOCCABET, we aim to provide our customers with a safe and fun environment for wagering on their favorite sports teams, players and games. In order to achieve this goal we provide players with a wide range of options to ensure that they gamble responsibly.

• Underage Gambling SOCCABET takes the issue of underage gambling very seriously and understands the responsibility it carries regarding this matter.

SOCCABET rules and regulations clearly state that the company

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CHAPTER 18

AFRICA

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AFRICA

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Compudist Ghana Limited Compudist is an international group, leader in the distribution of Information Technology products and communication (ICT) as well as IT and office solutions to businesses through an extensive network of resellers and partners.

Founded in 2002, Compudist started business in printing and consumable systems. Thanks to its innovative vision, Compudist has become a major player in Africa in the IT distribution. Compudist differs from others because of its business model and its aftersales service. Our growth due to the loyalty of our customers and suppliers has enabled the introduction of Compudist in new markets across Africa. Compudist now has branches in Senegal, Mali, Ghana, and Burkina Faso.

We offer products of new technologies, the most innovative of the leading manufacturers of ICT products: servers, desktops, laptops, netbooks, monitors, hard drives, connectivity, multimedia, photos, videos, accessories and consumable cartridges for inkjet printers, laser, multifunction, Antivirus, electrical protection and extended warranty.

Today Compudist Group has become one of the leading distributors and partners of the largest IT brands: Fujitsu, Acer, Lexmark, Canon, Brother, Infosec, CyberPower, Verbatim, Bit Defender, Port, Olympus, Genius, Edimax, Dacomex, and Promate amongst others.

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Mailbox 100x10 Advanced MFP

Power Solutions / Solar Energy: In Partnership with Infosec and CyberPower, we offer power backup ranging up to 300KVA, for SMB and industrial businesses.

Our success in this field has led us to enter the Solar Energy business with Opti-Solar. We offer solar solutions for different types: from ATM machines, to street lights, to residential.

Projects have taken place in collaboration with Ministry of Education in several African countries, giving 24h lights for more than 1,000 schools. This step made Compudist a true big player in the region.

Printing solutions In partnership with Lexmark, we offer our customers several printing solutions, whether it is a hardware of software solution. From a multi-purpose machine that you can build, to easy ready applications that you can just install on the machine, to platform software allowing you to monitor all printing devices and activities, tracking, accounting, reporting and helping you by managing and reducing document costs, increase the security of confidential documents, maximise the user

Output 650 sheets

Smart Stapler

Solar Power ATM Machine

GO

Make a Smart Choice.

WAY BEYOND PRINTING

With Lexmark Embedded Solutions, your device is more than just a hardware; It is a Solution Device: -

Lexmark Mobile Printing (Android or Apple) Lexmark Print-Release (Confidential Printing: Pin or Swipe Card) Lexmark Accounting (User /Device Report ; Excel Format) Lexmark Markvision (Monitoring Network Devices) Scan to Network (To multiple destination) Scan to E-mail (Up to 500 mails) Remote-Copy (Copy from/to another device) Eco-Copy (Save Papers & ink) SharePoint (For Archiving) DocuWare (For Archiving)

-

& More than 50 other applications available

productivity, as well as ensure disbursement billing.

Certifications: All our brands and solutions are certified and compatible to be adapted and sold in African Countries and have technologies conforming to ISO and CE and for that matter EU conditions and specifications.

Our Strength: Our Strength in Sales/Support is based on fast response and efficiency. Our logistics and technical service team undertakes to ensure customer satisfaction; therefore, confidence testified for over 10 years by more than 600 dealers and 20 manufacturers and partners allows us to have at your disposal a team of over 50 employees and to open soon in other countries on the African continent. Compudist is one of the fastest growing companies in

No Need for Any Server *** Apps are installed directly on the Lexmark machine.

E-Task required (Touch Screen) X4, X5, X6, X7, X8 & X9 series Icons are shown on the screen.

So easy to use.

Touch screen of 4,3”, 7”, 9” or 11”

West Africa, we have seen growth taking our company portfolio from one company in 2002 to today four companies, having at the same time other affiliated companies under Internet Service providers in Mali (Arc Informatique), Food and Beverage in Senegal and Mali (Distrimarca), CCTV Security Camera and Medical Supplies in Senegal and Ghana (Medisys Ltd).

Asset-light, we now specialise in managing people and intangible assets, helping companies save time, save power, reduce hidden costs (installation, support & Help Desk, Network & Update, Users Training, Inventory) and provide solutions, to redirect investments into human resource management efficiency.

Our vision is to become the leading IT Providers in West Africa and to be recognised for our innovative, dynamic business model and our Slogan “Your True IT Partner”.

Compudist Ghana N°7 Ndenaninge Sithole Road, Labone P.O.Box GP 2866, Accra, Ghana Tel: + 233 302 78 65 50 Cell: + 233 244 31 22 21 Fax: + 233 302 78 65 49 Email: info-ghana@compudist.com _____________________________ Compudist Mali Quinzambougou Rue 542 (Porte 429) BP E1417, Bamako, Mali Tel: + 223 202 18 945 Cell: + 233 76 40 21 64 Fax: + 223 20 21 33 41 Email: info-mali@compudist.com _____________________________ Compudist Sénégal Avenue Cheikh Anta DIOP x Rue A Impasse face Oilibya, Point E, 11927 Dakar, Sénégal Tel: + 221 338 69 11 80 Cell: + 221 776 39 66 61 Fax: + 221 338 69 11 81 Email: info-senegal@compudist.com _____________________________ Compudist Burkina Faso Ouaga 2000, Ouagadougou 01 1151 Burkina Faso Tel: + 226 74 17 99 99 Cell: + 226 74 17 98 98 Email: info-burkina@compudist.com _____________________________ Compudist International Offshore Ghosta - Rue Principale, Imm. Chbeir, 1°Etage, Lebanon Tel: + 961 9 262 402 Fax: + 961 9 262 402 Email: logisitic.international@compudist.com

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Hiperdist Ghana Ltd Hiperdist Ghana Ltd. is part of a group of companies operating in the Middle-Eastern and African markets, specialising in the distribution of high-technology products.

Traditional dealers, corporate resellers, systems integrators, local distributors, value-added resellers and retailers can all rely on Hiperdist to fulfil their requirements.

Hiperdist’s success lies in its core assets. These are: • The quality, reliability and range of its products supplied from leading international brands.

• A deep knowledge of the market and a wide coverage of the territories.

• An organisation that provides a high level of logistical support, guaranteeing its partners and their end-users fast product delivery, competitive pricing and first-class after-sales service.

• Rigorous financial management that allows Hiperdist to finance its continuous growth and to offer its partners the stability necessary for the development of long-term relationships.

Value and Volume Distribution In a globalised world where IT manufacturers are increasingly specialised, enterprises avoid dealing with multiple suppliers.

Hiperdist Ghana has the unique ability to offer its customers workstations, laptops, desktops, entry-level and medium servers, mainframes, peripherals and UPS - all of which are configured, tested, and ready for use upon delivery. In addition, Hiperdist ensures the quality of its delivered items as it markets the world’s leading brands.

Strategic Partnerships Focused and Comprehensive Our Group has set-up solid partnership agreements with major manufacturers such as Hewlett Packard, Dell, EMC2, Cisco, Oracle and APC. To stay up to speed with the fast changes in the ICT market, Hiperdist always markets the latest products offerings from its suppliers.

The company was established in 1998 and is currently located at number 132 Royal Castle Road, Kokomlemle in Accra. The distribution channel has since experienced steady growth, alongside a sustained geographical

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expansion and a significant increase in its local operations.

Hiperdist’s objective is to become the distributor of choice in these markets for their partners, suppliers and resellers.

132 Royal Castle Road Kokomlemle – Accra Tel. +233 21 251 081/ 2 Fax: +233 21 221 027 Email: info@hiperdistghana.com www.unidist.com

Vodafone Ghana Vodafone Ghana is an operating company of Vodafone Plc., one of the world’s leading telecommunications providers and most valuable global brands. The company has a significant presence in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and the United States.

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Vodafone Ghana is a total communications solutions provider, offering mobile, fixed lines, internet, voice and data. Currently, Vodafone is unmatched when it comes to fixed line and internet services. It is the leader and the company of choice for most Ghanaians.

Since it started operating in Ghana in 2008, Vodafone has redefined telecommunications in the country.

The telecommunications giant has championed a number of ‘firsts’ in the industry including the introduction of Ghana’s first integrated bundle, Vodafone RED; the multiple awardwinning television show, Healthline; and a music talent reality show, ICONs. These innovative and pioneering initiatives have won the company numerous awards.

Vodafone Ghana in 2009, established the Vodafone Ghana Foundation, the charitable arm of the business. The Foundation delivers to various communities and segments of the Ghanaian society, socially relevant and economically impactful investment

programmes. Since its launch, it has introduced sustainable initiatives that are solving pressing social needs, including Healthline 255, Ghana’s first medical Call Centre run by doctors and nurses.

Vodafone Ghana also has a specialist business unit known as Vodafone Business Solutions (VBS), which serves large, medium and small businesses as well as government agencies in Ghana by providing network-based IT and communication solutions. VBS has over the years empowered thousands of businesses in Ghana to grow, cut-down on cost, increase efficiency and improve profits.

The company has a deep sense of responsibility and commitment to social development in Ghana. This it achieves by conducting all operations in a responsible manner, complying with all the relevant regulations and investing in socio-economic development.

Vodafone is the most admired brand in Ghana; having won 35 awards in the last three years.

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Seatec Telecom Services Ltd provides effective solutions to customers’ ever-changing enterprise communication needs through the deployment of appropriate communication technologies, enabling them to enhance their productivity, cut costs and achieve operational success.

Our offer of value is The Seatec Way: • It’s not just the fact that the highly advanced communication technology solutions you want are locally available from a certified partner; • It’s not just the fact that these solutions are tailored to meet your needs; • It’s not just the fact that the tailored solutions are typically expected to improve your operations and therefore make you succeed; • At Seatec, these solutions are delivered by an experienced, qualified and dedicated team whose sole objective is to do whatever it takes to ensure that they actually work best for you!

In all we do, we focus on achieving customer satisfaction through professionalism, pursuit of quality and reliable execution.

WHAT WE DO Depend on us for Enterprise Communication Solutions such as: • Unified Communications including VoIP, Data and Video • Data Networks • Audio and Video Conferencing • IP Telephony (IP/PBX) • Contact Centres We provide industry specific solutions for application in: • Hotel & Hospitality • Telemedicine • Education • Banking, Finance & Insurance • Manufacturing • Retail

President: John Dramani Mahama

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communications

As Certified Partners of Alcatel-Lucent, Polycom, NEC and Burnside among others, our Services, (guaranteeing customers 99.99% communication uptimes and the protection of their investment) include:

• Needs Assessment * Solution Design * Installation and System Integration * Structured Cabling * Repairs & General Support Services * Preventive Routine Maintenance * Service Level Agreements with 24/7 access & availability * Dedicated hotline, email & web access.

As we are highly Customer-focused, we offer these solutions on flexible terms – Sale; Rental, Hosted & Cloud – to suit our customer’s situation.

OUR CUSTOMERS Our customers are small, medium and large visionary organisations, all over Ghana, who trust us and depend on us to deliver communications solutions - strategic and operational tools that will drive their success.

They include leading Banks; 5-Star Hotels;

Manufacturing Giants; Premier Universities; Oil Firms; Government Institutions; Law Firms; Non-Governmental Organisations; UN Agencies; Logistics Firms & Airlines.

OUR PASSIONS: Over the years, our company has gained much strength because we believe in learning – learning new skills and ways of working; about new technologies and new tools; constantly renewing our knowledge about our customers’ needs. All these have helped to reinforce our reputation for quality and reliability and we have taken steps to share this passion for learning by choosing to empower primary and secondary school children in our community with our time, knowledge, skills and resources in specially structured support programs such as reading and science clubs.

International Trade Fair Centre La, Accra Tel: (233) (0)302 777484 (233) (0)307 020033 E-mail: info@seatectelecom.com www.seatectelecom.com Best of Ghana

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SAMIR GROUP The SAMIR Group is a multi-million dollar conglomerate headquartered in Ghana’s capital city Accra. Its vision is to be the market leader in the automobile industry in Ghana and the West African sub-region by providing consumers with all-round motoring solutions.

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The group’s first venture was SAMIR Engineering & Trading Co. Ltd. (SETCL) which was founded by SETCL’s chairman Mr. Khaled Nazem Karoum who migrated to Ghana in 1956 (at that time called the Gold Coast). After several ventures, during which Mr. Karoum gained experience and the trust of customers and dealers, he registered a car repair shop called Samir Engineering Company.

In 1993 Mr. Kahled Karoum became a Ghanaian citizen. He immediately reincorporated his company and it became SAMIR Engineering & Trading Company Limited. Presently, his sons Mr. Nazem Karroum (who is also the group chairman) and Mr. Samir Karoum, together with Mr. Ramakrishna Venkata Ramisetty are directors of SETCL. SETCL markets several

major international brands in Ghana and West Africa such as Yokohama Tyres (Japan), Roadstone Tyres (Korea), Double Happiness Tyres, Aeolus Tyres, Wind Power Tyres (China), Boliden Batteries (Thailand), Alphaline Batteries (Korea), NGK Spark Plugs (Japan), and VARTA batteries (Europe).

SETCL has also recently become the official distributor of Engen’s full range of lubricants in Ghana.

With growth as its hallmark, SAMIR Group has in its portfolio several companies and partnerships that are all immensely successful: • SAMIR Engineering & Trading Co. Ltd. • SAMIR FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) Division • Quantum Petroleum Ltd.

• • • • • • • • •

Platinum Motors Ltd. Sronko 2006 Ltd. First Stockmovers Ltd. Platinum Motors & Trading Co. Ltd. (Ivory Coast) Platinum Tours & Travels Ltd. Platinum Plantations Ltd. Platinum SA (Athens, Greece) Civil & Structures Ltd. Pet Care Ltd.

Obetsebi Lamptey Circle Korle Bu Road, Accra P. O. Box AN 8807, Ghana - West Africa Tel.: (+233-302) 684 062/3 www.samirengineering.com Best of Ghana

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PLATINUM MOTORS LTD. A Member of the SAMIR Group

The dealership that brings you service, convenience and value for your money.

Platinum Motors offers a wide range of vehicles – GEELY sedans (China, owners of VOLVO cars), JAC pick-up cars (China), Dong Feng sedans and trucks (China), TVS Autorickshaw 3-wheelers and TVS motorcycles (India).

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Besides great deals and premium vehicles, with Platinum Motors you also have the assurance of excellent after-sales-service.

We have state-of-the art diagnostics machines and maintenance equipment with a ready supply of spare parts.

Come visit our showrooms and have a feel of our premium brand of vehicles.

Head Office - Obetsebi Lamptey Circle, Korle Bu Road, Accra P. O. Box AN 8807, Ghana - West Africa Tel.: (+233-302) 684 062/3 Showroom - Plot No. 48, Spintex Road, Accra (Cars & Trucks) Tel.: (+233-263) 007 629;

Hotline: (+233-263) 007 629 Showroom - Plot No. 75 Abossey Okai Road, Agbogbloshie, Accra (TVS Motorcycles & Cars) Tel.: (+233-540) 111 888 Email: info@platinummotorsgh.com www.platinummotorsgh.com

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QUANTUM PETROLEUM LTD. A Member of the SAMIR Group

Best ingredients.

Best protection.

As one of the major Oil Marketing Companies (OMC) in Ghana, Quantum Petroleum Ltd (QPL) is developing a growing network of service stations and dealers throughout the country for the sale of petroleum and its related products. To this end, QPL has over 30 filling stations and LPG stations. QPL also supplies AOG, Marine Gas Oil, Naptha and Kerosene to corporate clients across Ghana.

Recently QPL, being a member of the SAMIR

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Group, took on ENGEN lubricants. QPL is in the top ten amongst the 110Â OMCs in Ghana.

Its average throughput per station sales is the second highest in volumes after SHELL Ghana. Customer care, satisfaction, rapid and accurate deliveries are the tactical high lightening Quantum Petroleum’s day-to-day business transactions. Right Quality, Right Quantity, Right Price!

Head Office - Obetsebi Lamptey Circle, Korle Bu Road, Accra P. O. Box AN 8807, Ghana - West Africa Tel.: (+233-302) 684 062/3 www.quantumpetroleumgh.com

PLATINUM TOURS & TRAVEL LTD.

Platinum Tours & Travels Ltd.

A Member of the SAMIR Group

Providing global travel solutions, Platinum Tours & Travels is a full service travel agency and tour operator in Ghana. We offer airline tickets to anywhere in the world as well as tour packages to different destinations.

Platinum Tours & Travels caters to both group and individual clients. We offer complete local and ground arrangements at very competitive prices, such as Airport Pick Up, Hotel Reservations, Car Rental services, and VIP Clearance services for special guests. As well as Visa Consultation (USA, Canada, Australia, Europe, United Kingdom, Korea and other parts of the world). We offer the above services also in Mumbai, Thailand, Lebanon and Dubai through our associate travel agencies.

Give us a call now and enjoy our professional yet competitively priced service.

International & Domestic Tours • International & Domestic Ticketing • Cruises • Travel Insurance • Meetings, Conventions, Seminars

6th Street - Osu RE, Accra P. O. Box 8807 Accra-North Ghana – West Africa Tel.: (+233-264) 760 212 0545 285 685 E-mail: operation@platinumtoursgh.com platinumtours2011@gmail.com Best of Ghana

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Law’s Empire Corporate Consultants

INCORPORATION OF A COMPANY IN GHANA 1. REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS (a) Name of Company – we will conduct a search at the Companies Registry to ascertain the availability and acceptance of the proposed name of the Company and to reserve it for a maximum of two (2) months. (b) Regulations - Table A in the Second Schedule to the Companies Code, 1963 (Act 179) may be adopted with minimal alterations or tailor made. (c) Objects i.e. purposes for which the company established/business it is going to undertake. (d) Capital formation: (i) Authorised shares i.e. the maximum number of shares the company can issue; (ii) Issued shares i.e. the actual number of shares to be issued; and (iii) Stated Capital i.e. consideration (in cash or in kind) for shares issued.

The minimum capital requirement for the incorporation of a wholly owned Ghanaian private company limited by shares is GH¢500.00.

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(e) Shareholders: • Full names; • Postal address; • Residential address; • Occupation; • Nationality; • Age; • Number of shares to be taken by each; and • Amount payable in total. (f) Directors: • Full names; • Any former names; • Residential addresses; • Occupation; • Business addresses, including phone, fax and email; • Nationality; • Age; and • Other directorships.

NB: where a shareholder or director is outside Ghana and therefore unable to sign the incorporation forms, he/she will need to appoint an attorney to sign on his/her behalf. (g) Secretary – same details as above, save for other directorships/secretaryships (h) Auditor (i) Registered office and principal place of

business – postal address and street address. (j) Other matters that could be included in Regulations are as follows: (a) Who is to appoint Directors? (b) Who is to appoint the Managing Director; (c) Quorum for board and general meetings; (d) Notice of meetings – length, how served, to whom (in addition to Act 179 recipients); (e) Voting by proxy at board meetings; and (f) Written board resolutions passable by majority.

2. TIME FOR COMPLETION OF REGISTRATION PROCESS It takes on the average about fourteen (14) working days to register a company. A Certificate of Incorporation is first issued upon registration of the company. A Certificate to Commence Business is issued after the Ministry of Finance has allocated a tax identification number to the company.

This process takes on the average about two (2) weeks to complete.

Law’ s Empire Corporate Consultants 3. FILING AND PROFESSIONAL FEES The filing fees for incorporating a company is about GH¢175.00 exclusive of a capital duty of 0.5% which must be paid on the amount of the stated capital.

4. MINIMUM CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-GHANAIAN INVESTORS The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act, 1994 (Act 478) provides as follows in respect of the minimum capital requirement of non – Ghanaians in any enterprise: (a) In a joint enterprise with a Ghanaian partner, the minimum capital requirement is US$200,000.00 or its equivalent in capital goods; (b) In a wholly foreign owned enterprise, the minimum capital requirement is US$500,000.00 or its equivalent worth in capital goods; (c) In the case of a trading enterprise wholly owned by a Ghanaian the registration fee is GH¢5,000.00; and (d) In the case of a trading enterprise wholly owned by a non-Ghanaian the minimum capital requirement is US$1,000,000.00 and the enterprise shall be required to employ at least 20 Ghanaians.

Every enterprise with foreign participation is required under the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act 1994 (Act 478) to be registered with the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (“GIPC”) Centre.

The procedure for the registration of a company with GIPC after its incorporation is as follows: Where the equity contribution is in cash the following procedure is to be followed: (a) Open a bank account in the name of the company; (b) Effect a bank to bank transfer of the equity contribution; (c) Instruct the local authorised dealer bank to confirm the transaction to Bank of Ghana; (d) Bank of Ghana in turn confirms the transaction to GIPC for the purpose of the registration; (e) Apply to GIPC for the registration of the company.

Where the equity contribution is in kind the following procedure is to be followed:

(a) Shipment of the imported machinery/ equipment/goods; (b) Obtain shipping documentation from Customs Excise and Preventive Service (“CEPS”); (c) Apply to GIPC with the support of relevant documents for exemption from customs duty under section 24 of the GIPC Act where the equipment is not zero rated; (d) GIPC writes letter of exemption to CEPS; (e) Machinery/Equipment/ Goods are cleared from the port; (f) Complete Form 6 from the Registrar General’s Department with the relevant information regarding the equipment and indicate that it is being used for equity contribution; (g) File Form 6 in duplicate at the Registrar General’s Department and obtain a certified copy; (h) Application supported with Form 6 and all shipping documentation is submitted to GIPC for the registration of the company with GIPC. The application fee payable to GIPC for the registration of a company effective from 15th June 2015 is GH¢10,500.00 for a wholly foreign owned company (trading) and GH¢1,050.00 for other Ghanaian owned businesses, GH¢21,000.00 for a Manufacturing/Export Trading company and for a joint venture with a Ghanaian, GH¢10,500.00. GIPC now charges GH¢16,800.00 and GH¢31,500.00

for the registration of a wholly foreign own enterprise and a foreign own trading enterprise respectively. GIPC business registration is subject to renewal every two years which is GH¢2,730.00 for joint venture and foreign owned and GH¢630.00 for a wholly Ghanaian owned business.

Prepared by: Israel Ackah Esq. Solicitor & Advocate @ Korsah & Associates P/No. F714/2, 18th Lane, Osu RE Cote d’ Ivoire Embassy Road Off the Oxford Street Cell: +233 24 4157 958

+233 20 3425 895 Tel: +233 503 026 157 Email: ackah2@yahoo.co.uk info@lawsempire.org ghanalaw1@yahoo.com www.lawsempire.org

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BEST OF THE WORLD Our mission is to proudly showcase the Best of every Nation, their Cities and its People to the World

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We are an ever growing tribe of media entrepreneurs, colleagues and friends that publish the Best of the World and Leaders in Industry series of books both in print and online.In today’s worldwide market, every country, city and region must compete with others for a share of the world’s skilled work force, top entrepreneurs, tourists, exports, and investors.

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The ‘Best of…’ publishing series produces annual maxi format book publications in over 50 territories, from Bangalore to Belgium. These detail success stories of people and companies making positive inroads into the commercial fibre of both mature and emerging markets.

The books showcase entrepreneurial spirit; establishing powerful global networks and the creation of individual brand awareness by bridging cultures. The result is the ultimate interactive corporate gift and P.R. marketing tool for governments, companies, hotels and business people providing leading products and services for their region.

Please join us in promoting your country as we make the Globe our Village, info@globalvillage.world.

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Participators Index

ACCAD Group.................................................................................................................. 90 AEL Mining Services Ghana........................................................................................... 164 African Concrete Products Limited (ACP Limited)......................................................... 148 Annewetey Auto Parts Trade & Finance Co. Ltd............................................................ 190 Aquatec Marine Services Ltd......................................................................................... 232 Ashanti Foam Factory Limited (Ashfoam Ltd)................................................................ 194 B. Appah Electricals Limited (BAE)................................................................................ 224 B5 Plus Ltd..................................................................................................................... 150 Baff-Sa Car Rental........................................................................................................... 87 Barclays Ghana.............................................................................................................. 112 Best Western Plus Atlantic Hotel............................................................................. 62, IBC Capture Ghana............................................................................................................... 270 Compu-Ghana................................................................................................................ 234 Consolidated Shipping Agencies Ltd. (Conship)............................................................ 182 DDP Outdoor Ltd............................................................................................................ 268 DHL Global Forwarding.................................................................................................. 174 DPS International Ghana................................................................................................ 106 Dream Realty.................................................................................................................. 132 DWA Dizengoff Ghana Limited....................................................................... 162, 214, 250 Engineering Systems and Services Limited (ESS)......................................................... 252 GDS Africa ..................................................................................................................... 240 GHACEM Ltd.................................................................................................................. 202 Ghana Community Network Services Limited (GCNet)................................................. 290 Ghana Gulf Cooperation Chamber Of Commerce (GGCCC)......................................... 296 Global Village Partnerships............................................................................................ 298 Golden Beach Hotels....................................................................................................... 66 Hiperdist Ghana Ltd....................................................................................................... 254 Holiday Inn Accra Airport................................................................................................. 60 Honda Overseas Union Ltd............................................................................................ 192 Innova DDB Ghana......................................................................................................... 262 Intercom Programming & Manufacturing Company (IPMC)........................................... 248 Intercom Technology & Telecommunication Systems.................................................... 152 Italtec Ghana Ltd............................................................................................................ 170 Japan Motors Trading Company............................................................................ 139, 184 KEK Insurance Group..................................................................................................... 128 Krane Construction Limited........................................................................................... 160 La Chaumière Restaurant................................................................................................. 76 La Villa Boutique Hotel..................................................................................................... 54 Lakeside Estate.............................................................................................................. 138 Latex Foam..................................................................................................................... 212 Law’s Empire Corporate Consultants............................................................................. 286 Leasafric Ghana Ltd......................................................................................................... 89 Mamma Mia Ristorante & Pizzeria................................................................................... 70 Margins Identification Group.............................................................................. IFC, 2, 272 Melcom Group of Companies........................................................................................ 204 Millennium Insurance Company (MIC)........................................................................... 130 Modern Automobile Services Limited (MAS)................................................................. 189 MultiChoice Ghana - Africa............................................................................................ 256 Nesstra Services Ltd...................................................................................................... 154 Nyaho Medical Centre.................................................................................................... 108 Oak Plaza Group of Hotels............................................................................................... 68 Pentecost University College (PENTVARS).................................................................... 102 Proudly African .....................................................................................IFC, 1, 6, 298, OBC RayCom Technologies Limited....................................................................................... 246 Regent University College of Science & Technology (RUCST)........................................ 96 Resultz Advertising......................................................................................................... 266 Royal Air Maroc (RAM)..................................................................................................... 84 Royal Aluminium Systems Ltd (RASL)........................................................................... 142 Samiva Company Limited.............................................................................................. 218 Silver Star Auto Limited.................................................................................................. 188 Star Assurance............................................................................................................... 122 StarLife Assurance Company Ltd.................................................................................. 126 Terminus......................................................................................................................... 200 uniBank (Ghana) Limited................................................................................................ 118 Villa Monticello Boutique Hotel........................................................................................ 64 Waterstone Realty Ltd.................................................................................................... 140 West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited................................................................. 226 Wileb Mining Supplies Limited....................................................................................... 172 Wolley Group.................................................................................................................. 210 World Trade Center Accra (WTC)........................................................................... IFC, 280 YOKS Rent-A-Car............................................................................................................ 86

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For further information Tel: +233 31200 2700 +233 244 427777 or +233 285 268420 reservations@atlantichoteltakoradi.com bassem.toura@atlantichoteltakoradi.com www.atlantichoteltakoradi.com www.bestwesterntakoradi.com

BEST OF THE WORLD Our mission is to proudly showcase the Best of every Nation, their Cities and its People to the World.

All books now available for download on your iPad with the new VIPedia app.

View all books online, more than 4 million readers worldwide We are an ever growing tribe of media entrepreneurs, colleagues and friends that publish the Best of the World and Leaders in Industry series of books both in print and online.In today’s worldwide market, every country, city and region must compete with others for a share of the world’s skilled work force, top entrepreneurs, tourists, exports, and investors.