kysafrica

Total Post: 35

Morocco begin AFCON 2025 with 2–0 victory over Comoros

Morocco begin AFCON 2025 with 2–0 victory over Comoros

Host of the 2025 AFCON tournament, Morocco began their campaign with a nervy 2-0 victory over Comoros in a rain-affected encounter at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Sunday, December 21, 2025.

The Atlas Lions missed an early opportunity to take the lead in the 11th minute when Brahim Diaz’s penalty, awarded after Iyad Mohamed brought him down in the box, was brilliantly saved by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.

Comoros, sitting deep, frustrated the hosts for much of the first half, but Morocco broke the deadlock 10 minutes into the second half. Diaz, left unmarked near the penalty spot, swept home Noussair Mazraoui’s low cross, sparking celebrations among the 60,180 fans in attendance.

The game intensified as Comoros threatened on the counter, with Rafiki Said denied by the legs of Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, while Mazraoui saw a powerful effort kept out by Pandor.

Morocco sealed the win in spectacular fashion when substitute Ayoub El Kaabi scored a stunning overhead kick with 15 minutes remaining, ensuring a confident start to the tournament for Walid Regragui’s side.

The hosts will now look to build on the victory as they pursue a second continental title, while Comoros must regroup ahead of their next fixture.

NPP establishes review committee for CRC report

NPP establishes review committee for CRC report

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has set up a joint committee to review the final proposals submitted by the Constitution Review Committee (CRC) to President John Dramani Mahama and advise the party’s National Council on an official position.

The party’s National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, disclosed this in a statement on Facebook on Tuesday, December 23, following the CRC’s submission of its final report to the President on Monday.

Nana Boakye explained that the committee was previously constituted as part of the NPP’s engagement in the constitution review process, tasked with developing and presenting the party’s proposals to the CRC.

The committee is jointly chaired by the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee, Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, and the Chairman of the NPP’s Constitutional and Legal Committee, Frank Davies Esq.

“With the submission of the CRC’s final proposals to the President, the General Secretary has directed the joint committee to carefully study the proposals and advise the National Council accordingly,” Nana Boakye said.

He emphasised that the move reflects the party’s structured and consultative approach to constitutional reform, ensuring its response is based on thorough analysis and collective deliberation.

The joint committee comprises senior party figures and MPs, including Hassan Tampuli,  O.B. Amoah,  Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Gary Nimako Esq., Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, Dr. Mahama Tiah Abdul-Kabiru, Fati Abubakar, and Hanifa Adjoa Yahaya.

Nana Boakye urged party members and supporters to exercise restraint in public commentary on the CRC proposals while the internal review is ongoing.

“All party members are encouraged to be cautious with their commentary on the proposals of the CRC as we await the outcome of the joint committee’s study,” he said.

He assured that the NPP’s official position on the final proposals would be communicated in due course, signalling the party’s intention to speak with one voice once consultations are concluded.

“The position of the Party on the final proposals submitted yesterday will soon be made public,” Nana Boakye added.

Black Sherif Thrills Fans at Packed Zaama Disco Concert 2025

Black Sherif Thrills Fans at Packed Zaama Disco Concert 2025

The University of Ghana (UG) Stadium came alive on Saturday night as award-winning Ghanaian artiste Black Sherif hosted the 2025 edition of the Zaama Disco Concert, attracting thousands of music enthusiasts for a thrilling night of live performances.

The stadium was nearly filled to capacity as fans poured onto the UG campus to experience the annual event, which has steadily grown into one of the most anticipated concerts on Ghana’s entertainment calendar.

Black Sherif delivered a powerful and captivating performance, backed by appearances from top Ghanaian artistes including Sarkodie, KiDi, Larusso, AraTheJay, and several other supporting acts. Together, they kept the audience energized throughout the night with back-to-back performances.

From the early hours of the evening into the early morning, fans sang along passionately to Black Sherif’s hit songs, creating an electric and unforgettable atmosphere. The night reached its peak when the headline act took the stage to perform “Top of the Morning,” sparking deafening cheers and bringing the concert to a rousing climax.

Despite the massive turnout, security and crowd control measures were effectively managed, ensuring a smooth and incident-free event.

The successful staging of Zaama Disco 2025 further underscores Black Sherif’s status as one of Ghana’s leading contemporary music stars, while cementing the concert’s reputation as a major fixture in the country’s live music scene.

Absa Bank Ghana Honoured with Five Awards for Social Impact and Sustainability

Absa Bank Ghana Honoured with Five Awards for Social Impact and Sustainability

Absa Bank Ghana has been recognised with five honours at the 2025 Sustainability & Social Investment Awards (SSI Awards) for its measurable social impact across the country.

The bank received awards for Partnership and Collaboration of the Year, Best Company in Youth Mentorship Project, and Best Company in Youth Development and Empowerment Project. In addition, Managing Director, Dr Edward Nartey Botchway, was named SSI Impact CEO of the Year, while Head of Citizenship, Priscilla Yeboah, received the Mentorship Leadership Impact Award.

A key initiative recognised under the Partnership of the Year category was the bank’s work with the Mastercard Foundation through the Young Africa Works programme, which has enabled Absa to extend collateral-free and subsidised loans at 10% per annum to small and medium-sized enterprises nationwide, with an emphasis on youth-led, women-led, and agribusiness ventures. Since 2020, the partnership has disbursed over US$137 million in affordable financing, benefiting more than 8,000 businesses, 60% of which are women-led. Over 7,000 businesses have also received training, coaching and mentoring, with over 50,000 jobs created for young people.

Absa Bank Ghana Honoured with Five Awards for Social Impact and Sustainability

Absa’s long-running commitment to youth development was also recognised. Through the ReadytoWork programme, a platform that prepares the youth for the world of work, the bank has supported 1.7 million young people with skills in employability, entrepreneurship, money management, and creative thinking in 2025. Complementing this is the Money Matters financial literacy initiative, which has helped 126,000 students across the country build practical skills in budgeting, saving, and responsible financial behaviour this year.

Commenting on the awards, Dr Edward Nartey Botchway said:

“What matters most to us is not the number of programmes we run, but the progress people are able to make because of them. Our partnerships with the Mastercard Foundation, our investments in youth employability, and our commitment to financial inclusion are changing how many young Ghanaians access opportunity. These awards recognise that impact and remind us that when we back people with the right skills, capital, and confidence, their stories change and communities move forward.”

The Entrepreneurs Foundation of Ghana has hosted the SSI Awards annually since 2010 to recognise organisations and leaders who contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s socio-economic development.

ENDS

Customer service experience: Not event but a culture

Customer service experience: Not event but a culture

Written by: Emmanuel Klomey – PR Manager – Global Media Alliance

A few days ago, during an event conversation with industry colleagues, an interesting thought was sparked. The conversation reflected on Customer Service Week and how it is widely celebrated across various sectors by public and corporate Ghana.

Every October, social media is awash with photos of employees dressed in old-school outfits, themed costumes, and colour-coordinated office decorations. There’s always excitement in the air with cheerful faces, group photos, and hashtags celebrating “Customer Service Week.” While these undoubtedly boost employee engagement, the focus seems to have tilted inward, celebrating staff more than the very customers whose experiences the week was designed to highlight.

While employee recognition is undeniably important, especially for frontline teams who are the face of any organization, the heart of Customer Service Week should remain firmly aligned with customers. After all, without them, there would be no service to deliver.

The 2025 Theme: Mission Possible

This year’s global theme for Customer Service Week, “Mission: Possible,” highlights that the Week is about celebrating the dedication and resilience of customer service teams who go the extra mile to meet customer needs.

It’s a powerful reminder that great service isn’t accidental; it is intentional and often delivered under pressure. It’s about people who turn challenges into solutions and complaints into loyalty.

Yet, in many institutions, the focus has quietly shifted toward internal festivities rather than genuine customer engagement. While team bonding is valuable, the true mission to connect with, appreciate, and better serve customers often fades amid the celebration.

Who Should Lead the Celebration

From a Public Relations (PR) perspective, the way most institutions manage Customer Service Week calls for a strategic rethink. In many organizations, the event is typically championed by the Human Resources (HR) department, and understandably, HR focuses on employee welfare and engagement. However, Customer Service Week is not just about internal morale; at its core, it’s about relationship management and brand perception, which fall directly under Corporate Communications and PR.

PR professionals are uniquely positioned to translate internal excitement into external engagement. They ensure that celebrations are not just visible but strategically communicate to customers that their loyalty is appreciated and satisfied.

When PR leads or collaborates closely with HR and Service Quality teams, the celebration becomes more balanced in motivating staff internally while engaging customers externally.

Bringing the Focus Back to the Customer

If we are to make the 2025 theme, “Mission: Possible,” truly resonate, institutions must re-center Customer Service Week around the people it’s named after — the Customers: The King.

Instead of focusing solely on themed dress-ups and internal games, organizations could introduce customer-centered initiatives such as:

  • Customer Appreciation Draws: Simple, engaging activities whether in-branch or online where customers can win gifts or service vouchers. These small gestures leave a big impression.
  • Customer Feedback Forums: Engage customers (Host open sessions, both physical and virtual) directly to share experiences, offer ideas and co-create service improvement. Listening is the first act of service.
  • Community Impact Projects: Invite customers to partner with staff in social initiative projects like school donations, clean-up exercises and health awareness campaigns. This reinforces shared values and builds relational equity beyond the transactional.
  • Storytelling Campaigns: Share and celebrate authentic stories of customer service experiences, highlighting customers, not just employees. These stories build brand trust and emotional connection.

Together, these activities bring the celebration to a full circle, transforming Customer Service Week from internal enjoyment to external impact. They say to every customer, “We see you, we value you, and we exist because of you.” That’s how the mission becomes possible, not just in theme, but in practice.

The Business Case for Customer Experience

Customer experience is no longer a “nice-to-have”, it’s a strategic growth driver. Data consistently shows that how customers feel about their interactions with a company directly influences their loyalty and spending.

A PwC Global Consumer Insights Survey found that 73% of consumers say experience influences their buying decisions, yet fewer than half believe organizations deliver excellent service. That gap isn’t just a missed opportunity; it’s a competitive risk.

Companies that invest in elevating their customer experience benefit from stronger brand reputation, revenue growth, and operational efficiency.

Redefining the Mission

Our collective mission across all institutions, like banking, telecommunications, insurance, healthcare, and beyond, is to make Customer Service Week about the customer again. Let HR continue to lead in employee engagement, thus recognizing and energizing the teams who power customer interactions every day, but let Corporate Communications and PR step up to own the external narrative, ensuring the celebration strengthens customer trust and deepens brand connection.

The competitive landscape shows that Products can be copied, Prices can be matched, and Technology can be replicated. But customer service experience cannot be duplicated. Customer service is not an event. It’s a culture.