Author: johnmahama

Milan prosecutors plan to drop a case brought against the European division of Google after the company agreed to pay 326 million euros ($340 million) to settle a tax claim, they said on Wednesday. The agreement covers the period between 2015 and 2019 and covers sanctions, penalties and interest, prosecutors said in a statement. Last year Reuters reported that Italy asked Google to pay 1 billion euros in unpaid taxes and penalties, seven years after the U.S. company settled a previous landmark tax dispute with Rome authorities. The Milan prosecutors alleged that Google did not file and pay taxes on revenue generated in…

Captain Ibrahim Traoré is the interim leader of Burkina Faso, having taken over the position following a coup which he led against Lieutenant Colonel Paul Henri Damiba in September 2022. The 37-year-old captain had supported Damiba, his commanding officer, in a putsch earlier that year against former president Roch Marc Kaboré.Since Traoré has been in power, Burkina Faso has played a key role in the withdrawal of three west African states from the regional body Ecowas. Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali have formed an alternative, the Alliance of Sahel States. The Conversation Africa asked researcher Daniel Eizenga where the country…

The President of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has charged government to urgently reform the Value Added Tax (VAT) system, describing it as “the killer in the room” for local businesses. Dr Humphrey Ayim-Darke underscored the distortions VAT creates in the market, stressing that its current structure is stifling the operations of companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). “The major tax issue that we have tabled is the rationalization of the VAT. We believe strongly that it is distorting a lot of operations,” he said on Joy News’ PM Express Business Edition on Thursday, February 20. He illustrated…

Professor Joseph Seyram Agbenyegah, an international education expert, has emphasized the need for Ghana to adopt a structured ideological approach to education, similar to what exists in developed countries such as Finland, Singapore, and Malaysia.He argued that these nations have built sustained education systems rooted in a clear ideological framework, which has significantly contributed to their socio-economic development.Speaking at the National Education Forum (NEF) in Ho, Prof. Agbenyegah stressed that Ghana must establish a national education system that provides a clear direction for the development of children, ensuring that learning is anchored in core national values. He highlighted that curriculum…

Minister of State of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu President John Dramani Mahama has fulfilled the constitutional requirement of composing a 19-member cabinet, marking a significant step in setting the direction for his administration.The cabinet, chaired by the president himself, will be responsible for shaping national policies and guiding governance.The Minister of State of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, made the announcement on Thursday, February 20, 2025, after the first cabinet meeting.He stated, “As you may be aware, the constitutional requirement is that Cabinet must be made up of 19 ministers. And so, the first point of business is to…

Apple has announced a new iPhone which brings artificial intelligence (AI) features at a lower cost than its flagship handsets. The iPhone 16e has the same processor as the larger iPhone 16, Apple said, with similar storage options, though a lower spec elsewhere, including fewer cameras. Apple has been struggling to find a new product that excites consumers – sales of iPhones dropped at the end of last year. It will be hoping that bringing enhanced AI functionality to a less expensive phone will address that – however analysts have been cautious about the sales boost such tools bring. Its name…

Urban parks in Kumasi, the capital city of Ghana’s Ashanti region, are fast disappearing or in decline. Kumasi was designed 60 years ago as a “garden city”, with green belts, parks and urban green spaces. These have been encroached on by developments and are in a poor condition.Like other cities in Ghana, Kumasi has been growing. According to the latest population data from Ghana’s Statistical Service, the population of Kumasi in 1950 and 2024 was 99,479 and 3,903,480 respectively. The city’s current annual population growth rate is 3.59%. This growth is a challenge for city authorities.Adding to the challenge is…

The President of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), has warned government about the current Value Added Tax (VAT) system describing it as “the killer in the room” that is crippling local businesses. Dr Humphrey Ayim-Darke was emphatic about the urgent need for comprehensive VAT reform to prevent further market distortions and operational hardships for companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). “The major tax issue that we have tabled is the rationalization of the VAT. We believe strongly that it is distorting a lot of operations,” he said on Joy News’ PM Express Business Edition on Thursday, February 20.…

Zongo and Moshie Chiefs from across the region gathered on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at the forecourt of the Moshie Chief of Achiaman’s palace in the Amasaman Municipality to witness the turbanning ceremony of the cabinet members of Naaba Koom Sugri I, the Moshie Chief of Achiaman.The event brought together prominent traditional leaders, including the Greater Accra Moshie Yadiga Chief, Naaba Ramia, and the Greater Accra Moshie Chief, Naaba Sigiri, underscoring the unity and togetherness between the two Moshie tribes. It also marked the formal enskinment of the Achiaman Moshie Chief, two years after his coronation, in accordance with tradition,…

Late actor, Mawuli Semevo Veteran actor Mawuli Semevo has passed away, according to a report by myjoyonline.com.He is reported to have died at Ridge Hospital on Thursday, February 20, 2025, while receiving treatment after suffering burns from a fire accident about a week ago.On February 8, 2025, Judith Addison of Beyond Burns International, a dedicated non-profit organization committed to advocating for and supporting burn survivors, reported that Mawuli had been involved in a fire accident and was in critical condition.“Beyond Burns International received an SOS that something unfortunate had happened. We came here today and found that veteran actor Mawuli…