GRi BEF News Ghana 24 - 10 - 2000

 

GSE maintains upward push

 

Ghanaian manufacturers asked to make products internationally acceptable

 

Bank exchange rates

 

Ghana Comm. Bank congress opens in Sunyani

 

 

GSE maintains upward push

Accra (Greater Accra) 24 October 2000

 

The GSE-All share index of the Ghana Stock Exchange closed firmer Monday, led by advancing Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) and Unilever (UNIL).

The index was up 1.18 points at 854.77 points compared to 853.59 points on Friday despite heavy bearish sentiments.

Traded volumes inched up marginally at 33,800 shares from 23,200 shares.

The market remains offer-driven, indicating the absence of institutional investors from the bourse. Offers went up at 2.4 million compared to 1.2 million at the previous session.

Bids, however, closed down at 73,700 compared to 95,900 shares on Friday.

Market capitalisation was up marginally at 3,628.29 billion cedis as against 3,626.08.

On the broader market, there were two price changes. SCB gained 100 cedis to close at 22,000 cedis and UNIL was up 10 cedis at 1,470 cedis.

The following are the last prices of listed equities in cedis:

ABL                         630         

AGC                   18,600

ALW                    3,400                     

BAT                         438

CFAO                       41

EIC                       2,355

FML                     1,100

GBL                      1,350

GCB                     1,600

GGL                        710                     

HFC                        950

MGL                       200

MLC                       149

MOGL               18,600         

PAF                         270

PBC                         520

PZ                            600

SCB                    22,000             +100

SPPC                       250

SSB                      2,105

UNIL                   1,470               +10            

CMLT                     425

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Ghanaian manufacturers asked to make products internationally acceptable

Accra (Greater Accra) 24 October 2000

 

Ghanaian manufacturers have been challenged to rise above other African countries in making their products and services internationally acceptable.

Opening the five- day International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO 9000) workshop in Accra on Monday, Mr. Nelson Yaw Nyarko, the ISO chairman, said Ghanaian companies would do better on the global market if they were certified to the ISO 9000 series.

The workshop organised by the Ghana Standards Board (GSB), is being attended by ten representatives from manufacturing industries and scientific institutions.

Mr. Nyarko said the international market is gradually demanding ISO 9000 certification as a prerequisite for doing business with companies. "It is therefore in the interest of companies in Ghana to start thinking seriously about ISO 9000 certification."

ISO certification started in 1993 and has been growing steadily. ISO issued nearly 350,000 certificates in 1999, an increase of 26 per cent over 1998, Mr. Nyarko said.

Mr. Kwasi Nkansa, Director of GSB, said current trends in international trade make it imperative for buyers or customers to demand from suppliers, evidence that goods and services bought are of acceptable and consistent quality.

He said the knowledge and implementation of ISO 9000 quality management systems will make companies more competitive both in the local and external markets.

Participants will be taken through topics such as the introduction to quality management systems, quality system documentation and steps for the implementation of quality management systems.

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Bank exchange rates

Accra (Greater Accra) 24 October 2000

 

The Ghana Association of Bankers on Monday announced the following average inter bank exchange rates of the cedi equivalent to the dollar and derived rates for other major foreign currencies:

Currency                                  Buying                          Selling

 

US Dollar                                 6,551.45                      6,759.73

Pound Sterling                          9,534.33                      9,840.81

French Franc                               839.97                         866.38

Swiss Franc                             3,665.64                      3,781.15

Deutsche Mark             2,816.56                      2,906.24

Canadian Dollar                        4,333.59                      4,468.43

Japanese Yen                                60.15                           62.04

Dutch Guilder                           2,500.22                      2,578.83

S/Africa Lire                                862.44                         887.52

Euro                                         5,510.85                      5,683.73

CFA Franc                                      8.40                             8.66

Naira                                             65.02                           67.08

Ecowas/WAUA                       8,763.62                      -----------

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Ghana Comm. Bank congress opens in Sunyani

Sunyani (Brong Ahafo Region) 24 October 2000

 

The 18th biennial delegates' congress of the Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB) opened in Sunyani on Saturday.

The congress on the theme, "information technology and its effect on modern banking," is being attended by management, representatives of the TUC and executives of GCB Employees Union.

Mr. Kwabena Dapaah-Siakwan, Deputy Managing Director Finance and Administration said the Bank is to introduce information technology systems in its core banking operations and other areas to ensure efficiency.

Mr. Dapaah-Siakwan said 24 branches of the Bank are using firmware/micro banker software, which has enhanced its competitive advantage since it has a wider coverage in the country.

He commended the workers for their dedication and gave the assurance that solutions would be found to the problems associated with the computerisation exercise to enhance efficiency.

Mr. Donald Adabre, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, in a speech read on his behalf said GCB must keep abreast with technological advancement to stand the competition in the sector with the opening of many banks in the country.

"This situation has undoubtedly brought to the fore the importance of the use of information technology services to survive the highly competitive banking sector."

The Regional Minister urged staff of the bank to uphold the ethics of their profession and to evolve strategies to ensure successful operation.

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