Most imports from China to the US had faced a levy of 145% under Trump’s new trade regime

US stock markets opened higher on Monday after the White House announced that imports of Chinese-made smartphones and some other electronics devices would be exempted from tariffs.

The rollback, issued early on Saturday, may end up being short-lived after President Donald Trump said these goods were simply being moved into a different tariff group or “bucket”.

The exemption – temporary or not – sent shares higher in Europe, with the UK’s FTSE 100 rising by 2% while leading indexes in France and Germany both climbed.

Apple’s share price rose sharply since as much as 80% of its iPhones intended for sale in the US are made in China.

Most imports from China to the US had faced a levy of 145% under Trump’s new trade regime. Beijing responded with its own 125% tariffs on American products coming into China.

The Trump administration is expected to announce tariffs on semiconductors on Monday, and smartphones, computers and other electronic devices exempted will fall into this category.

The technology-heavy Nasdaq index rose by 2.1% in the first few minutes of trading on Monday. The S&P 500 added 1.5% while the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.2%.

Apple’s share price rose by 4.7% while chip maker Nvidia was up by 1.7%.

Despite the partial recovery on Monday’s opening, global stock markets are still lower than before Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff announcement on 2 April.

Many US and European indexes suffered historic drops followed by record rises after Trump suspended many tariffs for 90 days.

However, the gains have not reversed the losses. The S&P 500 index is 3.6% down over the last month while the FTSE 100 is 5.9% down, the German Dax is 8.7% down, and the French Cac 40 is 9.3% down.

Meanwhile, the value of the US dollar continued to fall on Monday – down 0.75% against the British pound, having dropped 2.7% against the pound since Thursday.

The Executive Secretary of the National Film Authority, Kafui Danku-Pitcher, has disclosed why she decided to join the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Kafui told Kwame Dadzie in an interview on Joy FM‘s Showbiz A-Z that she decided to align with the NDC prior to the 2024 general election when she noticed the government at the time had not lived up to expectation.

“I used to support people in my community. I told you about the project I was doing that was stressing me based on the government at that time. So I decided to, just out of my way support people who are working towards change. So I didn’t really join until it got to a point when I said I can’t be suffering and keep quiet,” Kafui noted.

Asked which other thing attracted her to the NDC, she said “I think they give a lot of opportunities to younger people and women as well. In our 68 years [of independence] nobody has come out strongly to say a female should lead. It takes a lot based on what we see in our homes, how women are treated in this country in 2025 for someone to come and say ‘no, this woman is qualified, this woman can do it’. That is so attractive, re-echoing the voices of the little girls or the woman that you can do it, you can do better.”

Kafui Danku, who assumed office as the Executive Secretary about a month ago, also said that she was not surprised she had the appointment because she had been leading in various capacities in the past and some people had also told her she would do well when given the opportunity to serve a political office.

“It was my fans and followers who felt it was time. That I had done so well and that I had to lead an office, I had to pursue a cause, I had to do something. Even way before I was so much into the campaign, they would come and write ‘Minister of Tourism’, ‘Deputy Minister of Tourism’,” she said.

Kafui Danku-Pitcher is will run the day-to-day administration of the National Film Authority as the Executive Secretary. She reports to a governing body (the Board) headed by a well-experienced film practitioner.

The National Film Authority (NFA) is mandated to regulate, nurture, and develop the Ghanaian film industry, ensuring its legal framework and promoting its growth. This includes enforcing regulations for production, distribution, exhibition, and marketing of films, as well as promoting Ghanaian films both domestically and internationally.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

Minister of Finance Dr Ato Forson meets World Bank Group

Minister of Finance Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has announced that the government is set to review its Value Added Tax (VAT) system as part of broader fiscal reforms aimed at easing the burden on businesses and improving compliance.

The announcement was made during a high-level engagement between Dr Forson and the World Bank Group, where the Finance Ministry briefed Wencai Zhang, Managing Director and Chief Administrative Officer of the Bank, on Ghana’s commitment to reforming its tax framework.

According to Dr Forson, Ghana’s effective VAT rate currently stands at 21.9%, which may be the highest on the African continent.

The rate has long been criticised for complicating tax compliance and increasing operational costs for local businesses.

To address these concerns, an International Monetary Fund (IMF) Technical Assistance Mission is currently in Ghana, working alongside local authorities to guide the reform process.

The objective is to streamline the VAT system, make it more business-friendly, and enhance economic efficiency.

In a post shared on his X (formerly Twitter) page on April 14, 2025, and sighted by GhanaWeb Business, Dr Forson noted that a complete overhaul of the VAT system is under active consideration and is expected to be finalised ahead of the next national budget.

“We are fully aware of the challenges posed by the existing VAT structure. That is why we are undertaking a complete overhaul of the system. I can assure our partners and the Ghanaian public that this reform process will be concluded before the main budget is presented in November,” he stated.

During my recent meeting with Wencai Zhang, Managing Director and Chief Administrative Officer of the World Bank Group, I provided an update on Ghana’s efforts to comprehensively review our Value Added Tax (VAT) regime.

This reform is critical, as the current structure poses… pic.twitter.com/2pskqv8wI0

— Cassiel Ato Forson(PhD) (@Cassielforson) April 14, 2025

SP/MA

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As the world transitions to cleaner energy sources, natural gas consumption is on the rise in Africa.

The continent is rich in natural resources, with natural gas being one of its most valuable assets. Despite this wealth, Africa faces significant energy shortages, with millions lacking access to reliable electricity.

Currently, the continent’s natural gas consumption remains low compared to its potential, primarily due to infrastructural challenges and policy-related issues. However, many African countries possess natural gas reserves that could transform the energy sector, stimulate economic growth, and improve living standards.

Why natural gas matters

Increasing natural gas usage in Africa is essential for several reasons. It serves as a reliable and cleaner alternative to coal and diesel, which currently dominate the continent’s energy mix. As natural gas usage expands, it will help alleviate energy poverty, foster the development of the power industry, and promote rural electrification.

In the global shift toward greener energy sources, natural gas acts as a bridge between fossil fuels and renewables. The future of Africa’s energy landscape could significantly depend on natural gas, which offers a path toward economic growth, environmental protection, and sustainable development.

Natural gas also emits considerably less carbon than coal and oil, making it a viable option for meeting global climate commitments while supporting economic advancement.

Furthermore, many African nations heavily rely on imported petroleum, which strains foreign reserves and exposes their economies to volatile global oil prices. By harnessing indigenous natural gas reserves, these countries can reduce their dependency on imports, stabilize energy costs, and strengthen their economies.

Additionally, the development of natural gas infrastructure, such as pipelines and liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, could enhance regional energy trading and integration.

Top 10 African consumers of natural gas in 2025

According to recent data from the global analytics platform Global Firepower, which tracks energy and military metrics, the following countries are projected to be Africa’s top consumers of natural gas in 2025:

• Egypt – 60,089,000,000 Cu.M (13th globally)

• Algeria – 47,963,000,000 Cu.M (18th globally)

• Nigeria – 20,719,000,000 Cu.M (36th globally)

• Libya – 9,212,000,000 Cu.M (49th globally)

• Tunisia – 5,153,000,000 Cu.M (57th globally)

• South Africa – 4,487,000,000 Cu.M (60th globally)

• Ghana – 3,912,000,000 Cu.M (62nd globally)

• Ivory Coast – 2,635,000,000 Cu.M (73rd globally)

• Tanzania – 1,808,000,000 Cu.M (79th globally)

• Angola – 1,397,000,000 Cu.M (81st globally)

Implications for the future

The demand for natural gas in Africa is expected to continue rising due to population growth, urbanization, and industrialization. As countries strive to balance energy security with environmental sustainability, natural gas will likely remain a cornerstone of the continent’s energy strategy.

It is poised to play a crucial role in shaping a resilient, diversified, and sustainable energy future for Africa.

NAD/MA

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The National Tenants’ Union of Ghana has called for the immediate suspension of the National Rental Assistance Scheme rolled out by the Akufo-Addo government.

According to the Union, the scheme is fraught with implementation flaws that undermine its core objective of supporting renters.

In a letter signed by Secretary-General Frederick Opoku and addressed to the Minister of Works and Housing, Kenneth Adjei, the Union noted that the scheme has failed to benefit the majority of Ghanaians, rendering it ineffective.

“We acknowledge the necessity of this policy, but we disagree with the current state of its implementation, which has left the majority of Ghanaians in dire need of the services the scheme is meant to provide,” the letter stated.

Among the key concerns raised were high application fees and exorbitant interest rates.

The Union condemned the GH¢100 non-refundable application fee, calling it exploitative and unreasonably high. They also criticised the 12% annual interest rate on rent loans, describing it as excessive.

“This is not just about fairness; it’s about accountability and the responsible use of public funds,” the letter emphasised.

The Union proposed that suspending the scheme would allow for critical reforms to make the program more inclusive and effective for Ghanaians.

The National Rental Assistance Programme (NRAP) was launched on January 31, 2023, as part of the government’s efforts to address housing challenges and provide financial support for rent advances.

SA/MA

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• Sarkodie is allegedly suing Ecobank Ghana for allegedly using his image and likeness for an advertisement without consulting him
• The bank used a young man who bears a striking resemblance to the rapper in their anti-fraud campaign, warning its customers that looks could be deceiving
• Legal documents alleged to have come from the rapper’s camp have surfaced on social media, and in it, Sarkodie is seeking damages for violation of his image rights

Popular Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie has allegedly taken legal action against Ecobank Ghana for using a lookalike in one of its advertisements without his permission.

The ad, part of the bank’s anti-fraud campaign, featured a young man who strongly resembles the rapper. The message behind the campaign was to warn customers that appearances can be misleading. However, Sarkodie allegedly believes the ad misled the public into thinking he was part of it.

Read also

APlus cries out over lack of funds for projects in Gomoa Central, Ghanaians advise him

Court documents shared on social media suggest the case has been filed at the Commercial Division of the High Court in Accra. Sarkodie, known privately as Michael Owusu Addo, claims the ad violates his image rights and damages his reputation.

The writ also argued that the campaign created confusion, especially because he was currently a brand ambassador for First Bank, a direct competitor of Ecobank. His team believes the use of a lookalike could harm his business deals and public image.

In the writ, Sarkodie is asking the court to declare that Ecobank breached his image and intellectual property rights, stop the bank from using any image or likeness of him in future campaigns, order Ecobank to remove all ads connected to the case, and pay him damages for the harm caused

The legal document also warns that if Ecobank does not respond to the court within eight days, the case may go ahead without them. The drama has got many Ghanaians debating on who is right or wrong.

Read also

Shatta Wale causes heavy commotion as he sprays cash in the streets of Accra

Sarkodie and Ecobank saga stirs reactions

YEN.com.gh gathered some reactions from social media users.

belikerekey said:

“You guys don’t like reading, read carefully the concept behind it. The post it says, looks can be deceiving” They are fighting against fraud. It wasn’t like they were using the guy to replace King Sark.”

true_kyn commented:

“So if the person looks like you, does that mean no brand should use him aaah, very funny country.”

latashalagos wrote:

“Is the entire purpose of this ad going over EVERYONE’s head in the comment section as well as Sarkodie’s?????”

i_willsaidit commented:

“They both have a case; they had every right to do the AD with a look alike, also they should have pitched it to Opana before they started and maybe found a way to include him.”

Sarkodie does not rewear Air Force sneakers

Read also

John Dumelo gives update on promise to get rent advance reduced

Sarkodie reportedly does not like repeating sneakers, specifically Air Force sneakers.

YEN.com.gh reported that, according to his stylist, the rapper mostly wears Air Forces just once. She added that his closet also cost a fortune.

The rapper, who is a big lover of fashion, loves to wear a wide variety of luxury outfits and sneakers.

Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh

The statement also directed all foreigners involved in local gold trading market to exit by April 30

The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has officially become the sole entity permitted to buy, sell, assay, and export gold from the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) sector in Ghana, following the passage of the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140).

The new law, which was passed by Parliament on March 29, 2025, and assented to by the President on April 2, 2025, renders all previously issued gold trading licenses, granted by the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) or the Minister responsible for Mines, invalid.

In a statement issued by GoldBod on April 14, 2025, the general public was informed that, effective immediately, only the GoldBod is permitted to export ASM gold from Ghana.

Furthermore, only GoldBod or its licensed buyers, aggregators, or service providers are allowed to purchase or deal in gold in the country.

However, in a move to ensure a smooth transition and honor existing contractual obligations, the Ghana Gold Board has granted a temporary window allowing individuals or entities with valid PMMC or ministerial licenses to continue gold purchases and exports until April 30, 2025.

“For the time being, all licensed persons or entities buying gold from the

local market, must do so in Ghana cedis and at a price calculated based on

the Bank of Ghana Reference Rate published on www.bog.gov.gh,” the statement read.

“Any Ghanaian or a fully-owned Ghanaian company whose license has ceased

to be valid and/or any Ghanaian who is desirous of dealing in gold, is encouraged to apply for a license under the Ghana Gold Board Act (ACT 1140), 2025 effective, Tuesday, 22nd April, 2025,” it added.

Additionally, applications can be submitted online via the GoldBod’s official website (to be launched on the same date) or physically at the GoldBod Licensing and Regulations office in Accra.

Foreigners ordered to exit local gold market

The statement also directed all foreigners involved in the local gold trading market to exit by April 30, 2025, warning that failure to comply will constitute a punishable offense under the new law. Foreign entities interested in purchasing gold may apply to buy directly from the GoldBod.

The Board stressed that effective May 1, 2025, it will be an offense for any person or entity to purchase or deal in gold in Ghana without a valid license issued by the Ghana Gold Board.

The move is part of the government’s broader efforts to tighten regulation within the gold trading sector, reduce smuggling, and ensure that Ghana fully benefits from its mineral resources.

For Immediate Release pic.twitter.com/dZt7cAvZpC

— Ghana GOLDBOD (@GhanaGOLDBOD) April 14, 2025

MA

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The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has directed all foreign nationals involved in the local gold trading market to cease operations and exit the sector by April 30, 2025.

According to a statement from the Board on April 14, 2025, foreigners will no longer be permitted to participate in local gold buying. However, they may apply to buy or off-take gold directly from GoldBod through official channels.

“All foreigners are hereby notified to exit the local gold trading market not

later than 30th April, 2025. A foreigner may however apply to the GoldBod to

buy or off-take gold directly from the GoldBod,” the statement read.

The directive forms part of the implementation of the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140), which seeks to streamline and formalize gold trade in the country.

Effective May 1, 2025, it will be a criminal offense for any individual or entity to purchase or deal in gold without a license issued by GoldBod.

The Board has also warned that strict penalties will apply to violators.

The new law aims to eliminate illegal trading, boost transparency, and ensure that Ghana benefits fully from its gold resources.

For Immediate Release pic.twitter.com/dZt7cAvZpC

— Ghana GOLDBOD (@GhanaGOLDBOD) April 14, 2025

MA

The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has directed all foreign nationals involved in the local gold trading market to cease operations and exit the sector by April 30, 2025.

According to a statement from the Board on April 14, 2025, foreigners will no longer be permitted to participate in local gold buying. However, they may apply to buy or off-take gold directly from GoldBod through official channels.

“All foreigners are hereby notified to exit the local gold trading market not

later than 30th April, 2025. A foreigner may however apply to the GoldBod to

buy or off-take gold directly from the GoldBod,” the statement read.

The directive forms part of the implementation of the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140), which seeks to streamline and formalize gold trade in the country.

Effective May 1, 2025, it will be a criminal offense for any individual or entity to purchase or deal in gold without a license issued by GoldBod.

The Board has also warned that strict penalties will apply to violators.

The new law aims to eliminate illegal trading, boost transparency, and ensure that Ghana benefits fully from its gold resources.

For Immediate Release pic.twitter.com/dZt7cAvZpC

— Ghana GOLDBOD (@GhanaGOLDBOD) April 14, 2025

MA

Accra, April 14, GNA – In a spirited display of pan-African unity and creative excellence, the United States Embassy in Ghana has hosted a delegation from the African Chamber of Content Producers (ACCP) to celebrate the Artios award win by Ghanaian casting director Mawuko Kuadzi.

This win, marking the first time in 40 years that an African has clinched the award in the commercial casting category, has ignited new hopes for a united African creative front.

Leading the ACCP delegation was Executive Director Nana Dwomoh-Doyen Benjamin, who explained the mission behind their visit.

“Our goal is to unite Africa’s creative sector and present it as one powerful front to promote positive narratives of Africa, while also cultivating fruitful collaborations with international stakeholders,” he stated.

Nana Dwomoh highlighted the significance of the NFL Super Bowl commercial—cast by Mawuko Kuadzi—as a prime opportunity offered by the United States to showcase that African talent shines on the global stage.

The delegation, which included veteran actor Fred Nii Amugi (with 50 years of experience), veteran actress Mynna Otto (with over 30 years in the industry), celebrated actor Peter Ritchie, and the award-winning Mawuko Kuadzi himself, was received by Ambassador Virginia E. Palmer and Public Diplomacy Counselor Emily S. Fertik at the embassy.

Ambassador Palmer expressed excitement about the win and the prospects it heralded.

“This is a proud moment for Ghana and a testimony to the innovative spirit of African creatives,” she said. “It opens up even more avenues for collaboration between the United States and Ghana. We are here to support the journey towards a united African creative industry hosted right here in Ghana.”

During the meeting, Mawuko Kuadzi provided an in-depth walkthrough of the casting process for the NFL Super Bowl commercial “Born to Play.

” He recounted how a Nigerian child actor Eldad Osime, discovered after extensive auditions across Africa, secured a role, thereby underscoring the continent’s untapped potential in global storytelling.

Public Diplomacy Counselor Emily S. Fertik echoed these sentiments, remarking, “Ghana’s achievement is not only a win for its creative industry, but also a resounding endorsement of the talent that Africa has to offer. We are excited to explore further collaborations, building bridges between the US and Ghana.”

Veteran actor Fred Amugi, who also featured in the commercial, reflected on his unique career path, noting, “Transitioning from public service to acting has taught me that the creative economy is a powerful tool for uniting cultures. My experiences have brought me together with diverse talents, including many from across the globe.”

Veteran actress Mynna Otto shared her personal journey on the project, highlighting the dedication and passion that went into producing the commercial, while celebrated actor Peter Ritchie elaborated on his

dual career as an actor and insurance consultant—emphasizing that African expertise spans multiple fields and is key to growing the continent’s creative economy.

The team mentioned how the challenges of African talents and the vision ahead gave birth to the Africa Monologue Challenge, an initiative of MK Casting in partnership with the African Chamber of Content Producers and National film authority of Ghana.

The AMC, they disclosed, is a platform to build a stronger African creative economy through trainings, cultural exchanges, conferences, workshops, reality shows, advocacies, and Pan-African Feature films.

The meeting concluded on an optimistic note, as the embassy reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the ACCP’s vision of a pan-African creative economy.

The ACCP delegation expressed gratitude for the warm rreception and pledged to pursue further collaborations with US partners, ensuring that the historic win of Mawuko Kuadzi serves as a platform for an even brighter future for African creativity.

The significance of the event was further articulated on the Embassy’s social media pages, where posts on their Instagram and Facebook pages read:

“Congratulations to Mawuko Kuadzi for winning Best Casting in a Commercial at the 40th Artios Awards, organized by the Casting Society of America. The NFL Super Bowl commercial ‘Born to Play’ was an incredible moment for Ghana and Africa, and he brought together Ghanaian and other African actors in a show of strength for Africa’s creative industry. The work of the African Chamber of Content Producers is an important tool as we look forward to new areas of collaboration and entrepreneurship between US and Ghanaian music, television, and movie industries.”

This celebration marks a milestone not only in advancing Africa’s creative industry on the global stage but also in strengthening the cultural and economic ties between the US and Ghana.

GNA

GRB

A trial in the landmark antitrust case against social media giant Meta kicks off in Washington on Monday.

The US competition and consumer watchdog alleges that Meta, which already owned Facebook, bought Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014 to eliminate competition, effectively giving itself a monopoly.

The FTC reviewed and approved those acquisitions but committed to monitor the outcomes. If the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) wins the case it could force Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to sell off both Instagram and WhatsApp.

Meta previously said it was sure it would win and experts have told the BBC it is likely to argue that Instagram users have had a better experience since it was taken over.

“The [FTC’s] argument is the acquisition of Instagram was a way of neutralizing this rising competitive threat to Facebook,” says Rebecca Haw Allensworth, a professor of antitrust at Vanderbilt Law School.

Ms Allensworth says Mr Zuckerberg’s own words, including those from his emails, may offer the most convincing evidence at trial.

“He said it’s better to buy than to compete. It’s hard to get more literal than that,” Ms Allensworth says.

Meta, on the other hand, is likely to argue that intent is not particularly relevant in an antitrust case.

“They’re going to say the real question is: are consumers better off as a result of this merger?,” she said. “They’ll put on a lot of evidence that Instagram became what it is today because it benefited from being owned by Facebook.”

Mr Zuckerberg and the company’s former chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg are both expected to testify at the trial, which could run for several weeks.

Shifting politics

The case, FTC v Meta, was filed during US President Donald Trump’s first administration but risks becoming politicized during his second term.

Mr Zuckerberg has lobbied Trump in person to have the FTC drop the case, according to the Wall Street Journal.

When asked by the BBC to confirm that report, Meta sidestepped the question but said in a statement: “The FTC’s lawsuits against Meta defies reality.”

“More than 10 years after the FTC reviewed and cleared our acquisitions, the commission’s action in this case sends the message that no deal is ever truly final,” a Meta spokesperson told the BBC.

Relations between Mr Zuckerberg and Trump had been frosty partly because Trump was barred from Meta’s social media platforms after the US Capitol riot in January 2021.

Since then, the relationship has thawed somewhat.

Meta contributed $1m (£764,400) to Trump’s inaugural fund, and in January announced Ultimate Fighting Championship Fighter (UFC) boss Dana White, a close Trump ally, would join its board of directors.

The company also announced in January that it was doing away with independent fact-checkers.

‘A very clear message’

President Trump’s move to fire two FTC commissioners in March also hangs over the case.

As Democrats, Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya were in the minority on the five-seat commission.

Until Wednesday, just two seats of those seats were filled, both by Republicans. Another Republican was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday.

Slaughter and Bedoya – who are suing the Trump administration to be reinstated – say the move to push them out was meant to intimidate.

“The president sent a very clear signal not only to us but to Chairman Ferguson and Commissioner [Melissa] Holyoak that if they do something he doesn’t like, he could fire them too,” Slaughter told the BBC in a recent interview.

“So if they don’t want to do a favor for his political allies, they’re on the chopping block as well,” Slaughter said.

Slaughter and Bedoya both expressed alarm at recent reports about Zuckerberg’s lobbying efforts.

“My hope is that there is no political interference,” Mr Bedoya told the BBC.

The FTC did not respond to a request for comment from the BBC.

Ferguson, who was appointed as FTC chair by Trump, recently told The Verge he would “obey lawful orders” when asked what he would do if the president directed him to drop a lawsuit like the one against Meta.

Ferguson added that he would be very surprised if anything like that ever happened.

The FTC is considered a key antitrust watchdog. In recent years, it has returned hundreds of millions of dollars to victims of fraud, in addition to passing laws that ban junk fees and subscription traps.

But as the Meta trial begins, it’s among the many independent regulatory agencies that the administration seems keen to rein in.

Chair Ferguson is also recently quoted reaffirming his belief that independent regulatory bodies are “not good for democracy.”

The FTC’s ‘uphill battle’
FTC v Meta begins as another major antitrust case – USA v Google – enters what’s known as the remedies phase.

The Department of Justice won the first phase of that case last summer when Judge Amit Mehta found that Google holds a monopoly in online search, with a market share of around 90%.

Last month, the DOJ reiterated a demand made during the Biden administration that a court break up Google’s search monopoly.

The FTC’s case against Meta will be tougher to prove, says Laura Phillips-Sawyer, an associate professor of business law at the University of Georgia.

“I think they have a real uphill battle,” Ms Phillips-Sawyer said of the FTC.

“They have a long road before any consideration of divestiture of Instagram or WhatsApp is considered.”

That’s because compared to online search, there’s more competition in the personal network services space that Meta operates in, Ms Phillips-Sawyer said.

Meta in a statement said the evidence at trial “will show what every 17-year-old in the world knows: Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp compete with Chinese-owned TikTok, YouTube, X, iMessage and many others.”

A circuit court judge has warned landowners against double sale of land or be ready to face punishment.

Mr Jephthah Appau, the Presiding Judge of the Kwadaso Circuit Court in the Kwadaso Municipality of the Ashanti Region, who gave the warning, said the act was not only worrisome to the buyers, but also created tension and confusion in the society and sometimes, negative impressions about traditional leaders.

Mr. Appau gave the warning when he sat as a relieving judge at the Abuakwa circuit court in the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality, during which Oheneyere Nana Ama Takyiwaa, a 51-year-old trader appeared before him on a case involving double sale of land.

He said he had already given the same warning in his court at Kwadaso and that    persons charged before him in such cases should be denied bail and placed in lawful custody.

He noted that persons with close relations with traditional rulers sometimes took certain chieftaincy titles upon themselves and sell portions of land to two or more persons without the consent of the chiefs, go into hiding and leave the issues on the shoulders of the chiefs in the affected areas.

This, he said, created unnecessary public attacks and criticisms of traditional authorities and this must, therefore, be stopped.

Mr Appau pointed out that, once you sell a piece of land, it means you are no longer the owner, so selling it for the second time was an act of stealing.

He therefore called for public awareness on the warning and shared the information about the need to stop that act.

Oheneyere Nana Ama Takyiwaa pleaded not guilty to the charge of conflicting grant of land to two persons and was granted GH¢3,000.00 bail, with two sureties to be justified.

She will reappear on May 02, this year.

Police Chief Inspector Evans Ayimbisah explained to the court that Oheneyere Takyiwaa sold a piece of land to one Baafour Owusu Ansah for GH¢25,000.00   in the year 2010 and sold same to one Frank Agyei in 2019, at Adwafo near Abuakwa.

Source: GNA

The contract was valued at US$178 million over ten years

Kelni GVG has become a topical issue recently after the Minister of Communications, Samuel Nartey George, announced that the government would not renew the contract due to unsustainable costs.

GhanaWeb Business, in this article, sheds more light on Kelni GVG contract and its associated controversies.

The contract, valued at US$178 million over ten years, was signed in 2018 between the Government of Ghana and Kelni GVG, a Haitian ICT firm.

The firm was tasked with developing and implementing a Common Monitoring Platform (CMP) to track international inbound calls and prevent revenue leakage within the telecommunications sector.

On Thursday, May 31, 2018, Parliament approved the implementation of the Kelni GVG contract with the Ministry of Communications and the Ministry of Finance to Build, Operate, Manage, and Transfer (BOMT) a Common Platform (CP).

In a statement to Parliament, the then Minister of Communications, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, asserted that the US$89 million contract was the best deal for the country.

However, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which was in opposition at the time, raised concerns about the contract’s transparency and procurement process.

The party described the contract as a “money heist” orchestrated by the Akufo-Addo government to exploit taxpayers.

Policy think tanks, including IMANI Africa, were also among the critics of the deal. These critics argued that the agreement lacked value for money and posed risks to data privacy.

Key points raised by critics of the Kelni GVG deal

Lack of Transparency: Critics argued that the government rushed into sealing the deal with Kelni GVG without conducting adequate due diligence. They claimed the entire procurement process lacked transparency.

Cost Concerns: Critics stated that the cost involved, US$178 million over ten years, was excessively high and unjustifiable.

Value for Money: Policy think tanks like IMANI Africa questioned whether the deal provided value for money, suggesting that similar services could have been procured at a lower cost.

Privacy Issues: Concerns were raised about data privacy, as the platform involved monitoring telecom traffic.

No Track Record: Critics pointed out that Kelni GVG lacked a proven track record in monitoring the revenue of telecommunication networks.

Disproportionate Financial Benefits: Reports indicated that Kelni GVG earned 84% of the revenue generated under the contract, raising questions about the sustainability and fairness of the arrangement.

These criticisms, along with the Mahama-led government’s concerns through the Ministry of Communications, were cited as reasons for not renewing the contract.

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