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Commemoration of International Waste Pickers Day

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International Waste Pickers Day is commemorated annually on March 1st in honour of eleven Waste Pickers that were brutally killed in a Colombian University in 1992. On that terrible day, the waste pickers were tricked by personnel from the Universidad Libre de Barranquilla, who invited them to enter into the premises of the university under the pretence of providing them with recyclable waste materials. Once inside they were beaten and shot to death so that their bodies could be used for medical research and organ trafficking.

Waste pickers often commemorate this day in remembrance of this tragic incident, and to bring to the fore the challenges confronting informal waste pickers as they struggle to make a living and support their families. So on the occasion of the International Waste Picker’s Day, the Kpone Landfill Waste Pickers Association wish to join our colleagues in Ghana and the Global Alliance of Waste Pickers in remembrance of the tragedy of this day in history and to reiterate the many of challenges confronting waste pickers when undertaking their legitimate activities. We wish to send our heartfelt compassion and solidarity to ALL waste pickers in Ghana and abroad who are still faced with stigmatisation, disrespected, excluded, threatened and in some instances having to lose their lives through their struggle as waste pickers.

In Ghana, as elsewhere, the contributions of waste pickers to solid waste management and environmentalservicesareessential. Ourworkaswastepickersisimportantinmanyways. We earn income to take care of ourselves, our family members and send our children to school. We also provide the recycling companies with a regular supply of recovered materials from the landfill site, who in turn pay taxes to the government. We help to prolong the lifespan of landfill sites by diverting large quantities of materials into the circular economy; and we help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In 2019, prior to our displacement from the Kpone Landfill, waste pickers prevented the emission of 23,500 Tonnes of eCO2, through recycling materials and preventing them from being burned on the site.


Yet waste pickers are one of the vulnerable groups that have been hardest hit in times of global and national crisis. A recent study conducted by WIEGO on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on informal workers in Accra showed that we waste pickers and our families are facing the brunt of the pandemic. Results from the study showed that waste pickers have reduced earnings mainly due to reduction in the prices and volumes of recyclable waste materials. The study reveals that waste pickers did not receive any COVID relief assistance from the government and we purchased our own Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) although our activities are essential services. Despite our contributions to environmental protection, we live in communities that are underserved by waste collection, where we must open, dump and burn our waste due to lack of resources and support.

Therefore, on the occasion of this year’s International Waste Picker’s Day, we the Kpone Landfill Waste Pickers Association wish to highlight the following concerns:
1. The Kpone landfill site is the main source of income and livelihood for about 500 waste pickers and their families, the decision by government to proceed with the decommissioning and reengineering of the Kpone landfill site without due consultation with waste pickers or provision of livelihood safeguarding measures has had dire consequences for the livelihoods of waste pickers and their families.

2. Government should target waste pickers as a group in need of COVID-19 relief support measures. Immediate efforts should be made to support waste pickers with appropriate PPEs, food items, financial aid, medical aid and other necessities to address the extraordinary drop in earnings and increase in stress and risk caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

3. While we have over the years provided critical services in municipal solid waste management (SWM) in the country, we are still not integrated into municipal SWM systems. We therefore urge Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to integrate waste pickers into the solid waste management systems through the provision of contracts for recycling service provision and secure conditions for work.

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4. We the waste pickers working on the Kpone Landfill Site have been proactively exploring and piloting waste collection services in low-income coastal communities that are underserved by the current system. Now we need to be supported by the government and private sector with the requisite logistics, infrastructure, and financial support to secure community waste management contracts from MMDAs. Expanding doorstep waste collection to underserved communities through the provision of contracts for waste pickers will simultaneously reduce environmental pollution, prevent greenhouse gas emission by preventing open burning, reduce economic precarity by integrating waste pickers into formal systems, and reduce the environmental and sanitary injustices associated with poor waste management in underserved communities.

5. Whereas waste pickers are a key stakeholder involved in waste management and providing environmental services in the country, we are not recognized as such. We therefore wish to use this remarkable day to call for the recognition of, and effective inclusion of waste pickers through our membership-based organisations in decision making processes and structures that have implications for waste pickers.

Kindly contact Bro. Divine Dekonor (Secretary of the Association) on 0551332614 should you require any further clarifications or information.
Long live the global solidarity of waste pickers!!
Johnson Doe
Chairman, Kpone Landfill Waste Pickers Association

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People & Lifestyle

South Africa prioritizes safety of Ghanaians, other tourists, with a $10m security investment

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South Africa has invested over R174m (almost USD10m) in its public and private security services in the last few months to provide safety for Ghanaians and other travelers who have chosen the country for leisure and business.

South Africa, which ranks among the best tourist destinations in the world has over the years recorded some attacks on tourists. However, the country has delivered a swift response to the attacks and perceptions about the country in recent years. The government has invested millions of rands to strengthen its security.

The Minister of Tourism of South Africa, Patricia de Lille, disclosed this move during an interview with David Mawuli, editor of MawuliTravels.com and Ghanafuo.com, at the just-ended Africa’s Travel Indaba 2024 held in Durban.

According to Patricia de Lille, South Africa has formed partnerships with both private and public sectors, including the hospitality industry, to provide safe environments for travelers.

“We certainly for the past year formed a partnership with the private sector, police service, National Prosecuting Authority, all provinces and metropolitan cities,” she told David Mawuli on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.

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“We launched a safety forum and we have put a plan in place to deal with some perceptions — you know, sometimes, perceptions become a reality. “

She said in 2023, the country invested R174m in its security services. Part of it was used to identify ‘hotspots of most visited tourist sites’ and further recruited over 2,000 young South Africans whose job is to serve as ‘safety monitors’ for tourists.

“Last year, the government invested R174m to train and employ 2,300 young people as safety monitors. We identified what we call hotspots – frequently visited tourist establishments – and after we trained them, we deployed them into those areas, including a place like Table Mountain, where there is also a lot of attacks,” she said.

The Minister said the private sector has contributed enormously to addressing the security challenges in the country.

One of them is an app called Secura. With this app, visitors visiting South Africa can download and log in the number of days they will spend in the country during their stay.

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The security-tracking app can give visitors access to 300 security companies, including South African Police services, in case of any attacks. Health-wise, if there’s a medical emergency like a heart attack, visitors will get access to 200 medical organizations.

She further disclosed that in August 2024, the government launched a Control Operation Room that monitors when there’s a response needed from everywhere.

“We regret attacks on any tourist, and we regret sincerely. So when a tourist gets attacked, we’ve put in place what we call ‘After Care Service’. That tourist will be taken to the nearest police station and helped file some charges (against attackers), and we make sure the tourist is safe and in safe accommodation,” she said.

On the resolutions of criminal cases against visitors, she said: “We contact the embassy or the high commissioner of the country where the tourist will be coming from. We also assist with translation services.”

“Formerly, when a charge is laid with the police and the case gets to court, you have to travel back to South Africa to attend court proceedings. We have changed that now with the National Prosecuting Authority for virtual interconnections. This means you can attend South African court from anywhere around the world.”

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“We’ve also got a communication strategy around crime issues and the hospitality industry has come on board. In this case, you find a little [security alert] note in your hotel room. There are just certain places you don’t just go at certain times. So when tourists go on hikes, walks, and all of that, they will be monitored. It really helped us. The summer season is over now but we didn’t have many attacks this year.”

Hon. de Lille revealed that she has further communicated with embassies to echo these security messages to their citizens willing to visit South Africa.

“In November, I called all the High Commissioners, Console Generals, and Ambassadors together to inform them about our safety plans and asked them to inform their potential tourists planning to visit South Africa. Through our own Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, we shared the plan for all the South African missions across the world.”

“That is what we’ve done for now and we have already seen improvement,” she concluded.

Between January and March this year, South Africa received 1.8 million tourist arrivals from the African continent, marking a significant 74.5% of all arrivals.

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Ghana was among the top countries that stood out for its remarkable growth. Ghana recorded a 249.4% surge when compared to 2023, reaching 7,904 arrivals from January to March 2024.

Patricia stated that the recent visa-waiver agreement between Ghana and South Africa contributed to this impressive growth within a short period.

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People & Lifestyle

The Ghana Wellness and Healthcare Top 10 Heroes Outstanding Contribution to Ghana’s Healthcare Post- Covid

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Top 10 Heroes Outstanding Contribution to Ghana's Healthcare Post- Covid

Certain individuals and institutions do not just stand out for their expertise, but also for their unwavering commitment to improving the lives of others.

During the Covid 19, these outstanding individuals and institutions contributed immensely by demonstrating exceptional dedication, innovation, and compassion thereby making a profound impact on public health, patient care, and medical research.

We celebrate a few remarkable figures whose work exemplifies the highest standards of excellence in Wellness and Healthcare.

*Apostle Eric Nyamekye and the Church of Pentecost*:
The church of Pentecost, led by Apostle Eric Nyamekye donated medical supplies worth GHÂą 45,000.00 to the Ministry of Health to combat COVID-19. They also donated their facilities as centers to help the Government of Ghana in treating Covid 19 cases. They also consistently donated hundreds of Ghana cedis to support the sector.

*Pastor Mensah Otabil and the International Central Gospel Church*: The International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) has donated an amount of GHS100,000 to the National COVID-19 Trust Fund to aid the government’s fight against the spread of Corona Virus in Ghana. Every year, the church has consistently donated 200,000ghc to Ghana’s Mental Health Sector. Indeed they deserve to be mentioned and celebrated.

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*Lady Rosa Whitaker Williams*: A Global Facilitator who has dedicated her career in facilitating trade and investment between US and Africa. Lady Rosa is a beloved figure in the healthcare and wellness community. Her works as Director for Mercy Ships(providing free surgeries for the world) has not only improved health outcomes but empowered individual Health Workers to serve humanity globally. As a Ghanaian woman raising the bar and serving as a key role model for younger girls, she deserves to be celebrated.

**Passion Air*: In the past, movement of patients with terminal illnesses, with complex care and time of travel of patients from one point to another to seek consult, translocation of health consultants from one health facility to another, the death of some health workers via road accidents while going to other regions to help strengthen their healthcare systems caused shiver to many within the industry untill Passion Air showed up. Today, they even joined in renovating some special health facilities and this we believe is worthy of commendation.

*Dr. Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu (National Chief Imam)*: The National Chief Imam, Dr Shiekh Osumanu Nuhu Sharubutu has been a relentless advocate for equal healthcare and wellness. He led the Muslim community to donate a million face masks to students within the community. His community continuously obey the pillars of Islam especially Zakat by helping pay millions of hospital bills through fundraising.

**Nana Ama McBrown* : Nana Ama has been a vocal champion for Ghana’s healthcare and wellness awareness in helping raise funds in diverse ways to support many individuals in needs and communities who deserve financial support especially. Her advocacy and support have played very instrumental roles in shaping public perceptions around entertainment and health.

**Dr Patrick Aboagye* : The Director of Ghana Health Service is well known for his tremendous advocacy and contribution for health equity and social justice. His leadership skills and initiatives include excellent health programs, education and more and this Service that has positioned Ghana on the Health Globe, handsomely deserves recognition. His efforts have improved healthcare and wellness outcome affecting all Ghanaians Globally.

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*Mr. Joseph Siaw Agyapong* :  It is his vision of keeping the nation clean through the birth of his brand that keeps making our nation healthy. During the Covid 19 era, the Zoomlion brand partnered with the Government of Ghana and Ghana Health service to fumigate all Senior High Schools. He also helps pay huge medical bills and deserve to be celebrated.

*Mr. Kwesi Twum and Multimedia Group:* His Brand the Giant Media House contributes to the healthcare and wellness industry by keeping the public informed through excellent health conversations and programs of Public Health Importance.

*Mr Ibrahim Mahama* It is his track record of consistently flying vulnerable Ghanaians seeking quality medical care including those going for Cancer treatments that align him with these indefatigable men and women. Donations of hospital supplies makes him a well deserved recipient of this honor.

President of Ghana Wellness and Healthcare Awards Mr OB Sinachy is super excited about these special awards recipient and grateful to the Research Team for an excellent job in bringing to light the amazing contribution of these individuals and institutions.

According to the Chairperson of the Planning Committee of the Awards Mrs Sara Nana Yeboah; “These heroes will be welcomed to the GWHA Hall of Fame on the night, celebrating the achievements of these exceptional individuals and institutions at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel on Friday, 14th June, 2024.

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The 2024 Ghana Wellness and Healthcare Awards is proudly partnered by Sangy Global, La Palm Beach Hotel and Sunny FM.

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People & Lifestyle

Star Wars: The Old Republic Free Rewards Codes

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Star Wars: The Old Republic Free Rewards Codes

Star Wars: The Old Republic allows players a place in the Star Wars universe, set thousands of years prior to the Skywalker story. Future Jedis can pick from eight unique classes and make choices that align them with the Light or Dark side.

While the SWTOR game is free, it offers additional content and expansions through a subscription model. Players can also buy currency in the game to get cosmetic SWTOR items and other upgrades. Some rewards are available for free, without any payment. Here’s a list of the current Swtor codes:

Note: Released in 2011, Star Wars: The Old Republic offers a limited but valuable selection of active codes. It’s surprising that these Swtor codes are still working. If you’re looking to get your hands on some more Swtor coins, be sure to check out U7BUY!

List Of Active Swtor Codes

As of May 2024, here are the codes:

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– **NYCANTINA16** – Black and Blue Korrealis Mount

– **SWCANTINA17** – Orange Korrealis Viceroy Mount

– **SWCELEBRATION17** – Small Droid Pet M8-3R

– **NYCANTINA19** – Golden Border for character portrait

All SWTOR codes are usable by any character, whether they are Human, Twi’lek, or Chiss.

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In addition to the rewards mentioned, subscribers gain access to exclusive story expansions, faster levelling, and priority login. They can also enjoy more inventory slots, higher credit limits, and additional SWTOR character slots. 

Players should make sure to regularly check the in-game SWTOR Cartel Market for limited-time offers and special deals. For those looking to maximize their experience, joining an active guild can provide additional social rewards and group content opportunities. 

Furthermore, participating in seasonal events and in-game celebrations often yields unique items and special achievements.

List Of Unactive Swtor Codes

The following SWTOR codes do NOT work anymore

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SQUADRONS – Stardrive Vanguard Mount

CantinaLivestream2020 – 4 Korrealis Mounts

SWCELEBRATION19 – 4 Poster Decorations with Flair

SWCANTINA2018 – Flair, Event 2018

NYCANTINA17 – Mount, SW Celebration 2017 Cantina Event Promo Item

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CelebrationCantina16 – Mount, SW Celebration 2016 Event

KOTORSPEEDER – Special Event

ER7K-YUDH-725X-VZVS – Special Event

SWTORSHARETHELOVE – Special Event

SPECIALFORCES – Special Event

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SDCANTINA19 – Special Event

How To Redeem Swtor Rewards Codes

Players can redeem these Swtor codes on the SWTOR official website 

  1. First, they need to “Sign In” with their game credentials.
  2. Then, click on the “Account” option in the upper right-hand corner.
  3. Lastly, select “Redeem Code” from the menu.

Only one redemption is allowed per account. Rewards might not show up right away; they may be delivered to your in-game mail. So, check your in-game mail after redeeming a SWTOR code. Be sure to use the codes promptly as they do expire.

Where To Find More Swtor Codes

The SWTOR subreddit is a hotspot for finding active codes and free rewards. This community frequently shares the latest offers. Follow the game’s official website and social media channels to stay informed.

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This guide provides all the details needed to claim free rewards in Star Wars: The Old Republic. Which reward are you looking forward to? Share your thoughts with us!

Of course, some of these rewards are now unobtainable, but that can be fixed because we’ve got some Swtor account for sale over at U7BUY!

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People & Lifestyle

UNIJAY AMALEBOBA FOUNDATION SECURES GRANT AGREEMENT WITH INVESTING FOR EMPLOYMENT (IFE)

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In a monumental leap forward for vocational education and employment opportunities in Ghana, UniJay Limited and Unijay Amaleboba Foundation have joined forces with The Facility Investing for Employment (IFE), acting on behalf of KfW Development Bank and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), to sign a pivotal grant agreement.

The agreement, inked amidst a momentous ground-breaking ceremony, marks a significant milestone in the establishment of the UniJay Centre of Excellence and Hostel Facility for Apparel and Garments. This ambitious project represents a collaborative effort to revolutionize vocational training in the textile industry and address the pressing need for skilled workers.

With the generous support of the KfW Development Bank and the BMZ, facilitated through IFE, UniJay Limited and Unijay Amaleboba Foundation are poised to embark on a transformative journey towards creating a state-of-the-art training facility and hostel. Part of the successful graduates from the training centre will be hired directly by the grantee to work at its new garment factory. This endeavour underscores their shared commitment to nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and bolstering employment prospects for Ghanaian youth. A total of 1.977 new jobs will be created by the project: 796 at the grantee’s entity and 1.181 at third party textile factories in Ghana. Around 1,300 of the new employees will be women and around 2,000 will be younger than 24. The IFE grant will be used for the construction of the training and boarding centre and purchase of equipment.

Mr. Steffen Kuhl, Managing Director of IFE, reiterated that “We are not here only for the opening of a factory but also for complementary aspects of a College. We look forward to creating more than just jobs, but an ecosystem that can see to the sustainability of jobs”.

The UniJay Centre of Excellence will serve as a beacon of excellence, equipping students with the practical skills and knowledge essential for success in the apparel and garments sector. Coupled with the provision of modern hostel facilities, the project aims to create a conducive learning environment conducive to holistic growth and development.

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Speaking as the Special Guest of the ceremony, Her Royal Majesty Lady Julia Osei Tutu, wife of His Royal Majesty Otumfour Osei Tutu, King of Ashanti stated that “It is an honour to join you all for the sod-cutting ceremony of Unijay Amaleboba Centre of Excellence which for me is an important milestone of addressing the employment deficit that plagues our country’’. She emphasized the critical importance of training our youth in the necessary skills required by industries. Therefore, projects like the UniJay Centre of Excellence and Hostel Facility for Apparel and Garments deserve commendation, encouragement, and support.

In furtherance, the Chief Executive Officer of UniJay Limited and Unijay Amaleboba Foundation, Mrs. Janet Abobigu expressed her gratitude for the unwavering support of IFE, KfW Development Bank, and the BMZ. She emphasized the transformative impact of this collaboration in empowering the next generation of skilled professionals and driving socio-economic development in Ghana.

The ground-breaking event drew distinguished guests, including government officials, industry leaders, and community stakeholders, all united in their shared vision of a prosperous and inclusive future. The ceremony served as a testament to the power of partnership and collective action in effecting positive change.

As construction commences on the UniJay Centre of Excellence and Hostel Facility, stakeholders remain steadfast in their commitment to realizing this transformative vision. With innovation, dedication, and collaboration at the forefront, UniJay Limited and Unijay Amaleboba Foundation are poised to set new standards of excellence in vocational education and empowerment in Ghana and Africa as a whole.

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MTN remains top African brand, as well as leading brand ‘doing good’

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MTN Group has retained the top spot in the annual ‘Brand Africa 100: Best Brands’ survey, also continuing to lead the list of African brands ‘doing good for society, people and environment’ in recognition of our ESG efforts to create shared value and a sustainable business, society and world.

“This Africa Day, we take heart from this accolade and would like to acknowledge and thank our partners everywhere for their support,” said MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer Ralph Mupita.

“MTN is committed to meeting our customers’ current and future needs, leveraging digital capabilities for a more sustainable future, and fostering strong partnerships to drive meaningful change. These awards inspire us to keep focused,” he added.

 

The Brand Africa awards are the result of independent research in more than 30 markets which account for 85% of the continent’s population and economic activity.

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MTN Group has mobile operations in 17 countries on the continent. Since 2021, our strategy has been ‘Ambition 2025: Leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress’.

Among our ESG commitments are those to eco responsibility and achieving Net Zero emissions by 2040; driving digital and financial inclusion and a diverse society; being a committed partner to stakeholders to create and protect value; and boosting inclusive economic growth across the continent.

In April, Brand Finance ranked MTN as the most valuable South African brand, as well as the top South African brand by ‘sustainability perceptions value’, assigning MTN a brand value of R68.2 billion and a sustainability perceptions value of R5.7 billion.

 

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People & Lifestyle

Removing Car History: Is It Really Possible?

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Removing Car History: Is It Really Possible?

Every car has a past, but should it dictate its future? Whether due to accidents, repairs, or previous ownerships, a vehicle’s history can significantly impact its value and perception. This history is typically stored in various public databases and online platforms, accessible through VIN searches and vehicle history reports. But what if you could clear this data permanently, enhancing your vehicle’s marketability and privacy?

“Delete Vin history isn’t just about erasing the past; it’s about paving the way for a better transaction.” – Visit Hidecars.vin for more details.

The Problem: Impact of Visible History on Car Sales

When trying to sell a vehicle, encountering a cluttered or damaging history such as past accidents, service records, or visible photos on Google can significantly discourage potential buyers. In these situations, the ability to Delete VIN History becomes crucial. By removing these records, sellers can mitigate negative perceptions. Furthermore, VIN checks on auction sites often expose more details than sellers might wish, complicating the sales process. Successfully deleting the VIN history enables the vehicle to be presented in a more favorable light, simplifying transactions and enhancing buyer confidence.

When you buy a car from popular auctions like Copart, managing the vehicle’s history becomes especially important. Copart provides detailed reports on each vehicle, which can deter potential buyers if negative records are present. Removing these records can make the vehicle more appealing and increase the chances of a successful sale. For those interested, you can buy vehicles from Copart through the Carfast website.

Step-by-Step Guide to Remove Car History

  1. Start by visiting Hidecars.vin.
  2. Enter your VIN to retrieve current data and records.
  3. Review the available information and select records for the Remove Car History process.
  4. Submit the request for data removal and follow up as necessary.

Why Use Auto History Removal Services?

  • Speed: Quick and efficient process to remove unwanted history.
  • Flexibility: Tailored services to suit individual needs.
  • Convenience: Easy online access and support.
  • Multilingual Support: Assistance available in multiple languages.

Pros and Cons of Delete Car History:

Pros Cons
Clean Google History for Your Car Potential Buyer Suspicion
No Auction Photos Online Service Costs
Higher Resale Value
Faster Sale Potential
Protection of Personal Data
Ability to Showcase Quality Repairs

Additionally, for those seeking a more integrated solution, there’s another service provides a well-established service that combines the ability to purchase cars from U.S. auctions with the option to immediately remove their history if necessary. This dual service is especially useful for buyers who prioritize privacy right from the point of purchase.

Unlike Hidecars.vin, which focuses exclusively on delete car history, Carfast.com broadens its offerings to include access to a marketplace for vehicles. This difference allows customers to handle both acquisition and privacy management through a single platform, streamlining the process and ensuring that any purchased vehicle can be cleared of undesirable history before it even leaves the lot.

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