Ghana’s great online leap
February 25, 2009 by G.O
Filed under Editorials
Its capital has a virtual Ring Road of Internet cafe’s and New York’s traffic tickets are now processed here
In Ghana, a small West African nation with a population of just over 20 million, there are 2,000 Internet cafe’s, 1,000 in the capital of Accra (population 1 million) and more than 50 on just one street, Ring Road, otherwise known as Silicon Alley. So enthusiastic are people about using computers in a country that lacks the electricity infrastructure available in Canada – that they line up to get onto the Internet.
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Kwabena Jay aka Maphia – Twa me last
All Set For Biometric Smartcard Usage
Very soon, traders and restaurant operators in Ghana would accept payment through Point of Sale (POS) machines, as all is set for massive deployment of the POS that will kick-start the national switch, the e-zwich, which would link the payment systems of all banks, savings and loans as well as rural banks in Ghana.
The move means the nation is gradually moving from cash into a cashless society.
With the e-zwich, one can perform various banking and retail functions including cash withdrawals, payments for goods and services, money transfers and bills payment from any POS or ATM across the country.
CITY & BUSINESS GUIDE gathers that a South African Company has been selected, out of seven firms to begin the installation of the POS from the beginning of next month since test for the software has been completed.
According to Yorku Korsah, Chief Operating Officer of the Ghana Interbank Payment Settlement Systems (GIPSS), a subsidiary of the Bank of Ghana, universal banks and financial institutions have gone through the first phase of the training with the merchant.
The e-zwich smartcard, which allows smartcard holders to spend and settle various transactions online and offline, is a new very secure way of paying for goods and services throughout the country, based on the biometric or finger print identification.
Briefing some financial journalists, Chief Executive Officer of GIPSS, Fred Franc said immediately the automated teller machines (ATMs) are configured to be e-zwich compliant, it could accommodate all cards such as biometric, master cards, visa cards among others.
He however urged banks to position themselves to ensure that their ATMs are Universal Electronic Payment System (UEPS) compliant.
Earlier, the Bank of Ghana directed all banks including rural banks to integrate all existing switches into the e-zwich as well as issue e-zwich smartcards to each individual personal customer.
The new payment system will lure the “unbanked” segment of the population to save with banks.
By Charles Nixon Yeboah
Ghana’s 52nd Independence Day Celebration
February 22, 2009 by G.O
Filed under Events, Events in Canada
AFRO ENTERTAINMENT & LIONPALM ENTERTAINMENT IS OFFICIALLY BRINGING IT BACK ONCE AGAIN. THE RED, GOLD, & GREEN AFFAIR IS HERE AGAIN. LAST YEAR, WE GOT SNOWED IN BUT THE PLACE WAS STILL PACKED. THIS YEAR AROUND, WE GOT AN EVEN BIGGER SPACE TO HOLD IT DOWN.
WHEN: SATURDAY MARCH 7TH, 2009
WHERE: JCA CENTRE
995 ARROW ROAD- FINCH & ARROW RD.
Canadian Gold Coast Association
February 20, 2009 by G.O
Filed under Associations
SLOGAN: Enriching the lives of Ghanaian Children and Families in Canada
CANADIAN GOLD COAST ASSOCIATION MISSION STATEMENT:
The CGCA is a resource for the Ghanaian people, Businesses and Communities working toward Prosperity through Economic and Social Empowerment. Our Purpose is to Strengthen Families, Grow a Sustainable Regional Economy, Cultivate Leadership and Philanthropy, and Foster Respect for all.
CANADIAN GOLD COAST ASSOCIATION VISION STATEMENT:
Through our Grants to non-profits, loans to local Businesses, and other special Programs, the CGCA is Building a Strong Foundation for the Future of our Community.
WILL IT BE ESSIEN, LARYEA OR MUNTARI?
For the first time in the annals of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) awards, the honours for the Footballer of the Year is set to overshadow the topmost Sports Personality of the Year award which will be received by the ‘Fresh King’ Joseph Agbeko.
Scheduled for the Round Pavillion of the Ghana International Trade Fair Centre on Saturday, the award which was presented to Black Stars deputy captain, John Mensah last year will have three contenders vying for the prestigious footballer of the year award.
Interestingly, the three, Michael Essien, Sulley Ali Muntari and Laryea Kingston, all members of the senior national football team all stand in a very good position to win.
For Laryea Kingston, his nomination for this year’s award is the closest he has come to joining the SWAG award receipients.
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President Mills to cut government luxury spending
President, John Atta Mills, has promised to cut wasteful government spending in his first State of the Nation speech.
The government needs to make drastic cuts to get by after it discovered that spending before last year’s election had left the country “broke”.
President Atta Mills said he would cut back on the presidential jet, wages and civil service training seminars.
But he did not mention a key election promise to reduce the price of fuel.
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Batman Samini performs in the US
February 18, 2009 by G.O
Filed under Events in US
Ghanaian reggae/dancehall artist, Batman Samini, joined a host of international artistes to mark the 4th Annual Bob Marley Celebrations in Atlanta Georgia over the weekend. The 4-day festival ended on Saturday.
Samini who toured Jamaica earlier joined the likes of Una Morgan, Laza, Shola Lewis, Kelly Love Jones, Carla C. Gomez, Ishmael Turner, Jah Bless, Dana Gilmore and Eastern Standard at Atlanta’s world famous Sugar Hill – Underground to celebrate the life and music of the late reggae icon.
JOY TRAVEL AND TOURS
February 18, 2009 by G.O
Filed under Travel agencies
Joy Travel and Tours (Travel with Joy)
Jennifer Mensah “Nana Serwaah” (Travel Consultant)
Robertson “wofa Yaw” (Travel Consultant)
127 Westmore Dr#124
Etobicoke, Ont, M9V 3Y6
Tel: 416 746 1748
email: joytravelandtours@bellnet.com
FREE MONEY TRANSFER TO GHANA
Come and see the difference in service!
we will make sure that you smile
NDC Canada Holds Victory Celebrations In Montreal
February 18, 2009 by G.O
Filed under Ghanaians Abroad, Headlines, Politics
NDC Canada Chapter held a scintillating Victory Celebration in Montreal on Saturday February 14, 2009. The event, dubbed as a “Democratic and Electoral Victory Celebration”, was held at 9555 Goin Boulevard Pierrefonds, Montreal, Quebec. It was attended by members of the Ghanaian Community and a large delegation from the African and Caribbean Communities in Montreal. The Dinner-Dance also featured a large variety of African dishes and music.
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