Business Article: The GCB MasterCard - The MUST have Card

THE MASTERCARD EXPERIENCE
"THE CASE OF GCB"

Over the years, the use of international debit/credit cards on the global market has trended upwards, notwithstanding the risks involved.

MasterCard, like any other international electronic payment card brand, enables its clients who travel abroad to purchase items either through a POS terminal or shop on the internet. Customers can also use the MasterCard at all MasterCard,Maestro or Cirrus ATMs worldwide.

In 2007, Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB) - the bank with the largest / widest branches in Ghana - signed an agreement with MasterCard International and acquired a principal status certification in order to roll out MasterCard branded products throughout the country.

GCB with its 135 networked branches and 10 agencies will sponsor affiliates and work with merchants as well as customers to roll out the various types of MasterCard including credits and pre-paid cards

Prior to this, GCB had fully established its Royal Banking Service which had been piloted in 2006. Again, a comprehensive agreement between the bank and MoneyGram International, a reputable global money transfer company was signed in addition to the Bank's existing international money transfer agents.

"In a competitive banking environment we are not relenting in our effort at innovation to enable us offer quality service to customers". - Mr. Lawrence N. Adu Mante ( Former MD-GCB : 2007 ANNUAL REPORT)

THE GCB MasterCard

GCB offers unembossed range of MasterCard Debit products. These cards turn good deals into great ones by adding value to large/small purchases and cash withdrawal with convenience, protection, and enhanced benefits.

RANGE OF CARDS ON OFFER



a. Corporate Debit Card
b. Gold Debit Card
c. Standard Debit Card

BENEFITS

. Acceptable in over 25 million locations
. Worldwide Acceptance - you're never far from a MasterCard, Maestro or Cirrus ATM
. 24-Hour banking worldwide
. Can be used at all GCB ATMs and that of other Banks
. Global Service Access - superior advantage to cash and cheques
. Purchases directly from your account
. Regular transaction statements
. Travel information privileges
. Wider Service Options



GCB's association with MasterCard dates back to the years when it introduced the first Prepaid Card, MONDEX , another product of MasterCard. The bank officials say their electronic payment system will be integrated into the domestic platform being sponsored by the Bank of Ghana (BoG)






In line with the Bank's mission statement " to be the established leader in banking, satisfying the expectations of customers and shareholders, providing a full range of cost efficient and high quality services through the optimization of information technology and efficient branch network ", GCB will continue to expand the International Branded Card Program by implementing merchant acquiring ; MasterCard Credit Cards Issuing, Visa ATM Acquiring, Visa Credit/Debit Cards Issuing.



 


"Finally, my greatest appreciation goes to the hardworking staff of the Bank for their contribution to the sterling performance of the Bank during the year.
I must say that the relative improvement in the results for 2008 is an indication of their dedication
to duty , diligence and loyalty to the Bank without which these results would not have been achieved.
It is my fervent hope that all stakeholders will put in greater effort towards achieving higher

laurels for the Bank in the years ahead" . - Mr. L. N. Adu-Mante ( Former MD-GCB : 2008 ANNUAL REPORT)

By : OWURACHY

owurachy@myself.com

THE CAMPUS FOCUS EXPERIENCE 2

WHAT CAMPUS FOCUS (CF) WANTS TO ACHIEVE.

a. We want to see the full realization of the slogan of Campus Focus: "...Sharing The Relevant..."
By this, we mean getting students fully informed about all the events and activities on our various campuses.

b. We want to get our uni lecturers closer to the student body. We believe most of the students take their lecturers and professors as role-models. We would therefore interview them exclusively as part of our program.

c. Campus Focus Magazine: CF will also come out with a free picture magazine at least one per semester. This would enable us "... Share the Relevant..." with our our offline folks.

d. Campus Focus (CF) from time to time will be organizing events, seminars and other programs for the benefit of its members and other students.

e. Campus Focus (CF) will extensively partner with all the radio stations on our various tertiary campuses and other media houses in order for us to discharge our responsibilities more easily.

f. Finally, Campus Focus (CF) with its IT Experts will work with some of its software programmers to develop a School Management Program (SMP) that will be donated freely to some selected JHS and SHS schools across the country.

Campus Focus Network (CFN) Membership

Campus Focus membership is strictly based on studentship in all the SHS schools as well as tertiary institutions across the country and beyond.
All our members will be entitled to free seminars and workshops ranging from ICT to professional journalism courses. This will enable our cherished members to be well equipped for the tasks they face in school and in the world of work.
Members will be issued with certificates for any program they pursue.

Through our network, we hope to link student members to media houses and our corporate bodies for them to have their internship programs with them.

The CFN Team

i. Writers / Reporters / Editors


ii. Interviewers / Photographers / Graphic Designers


iii. ICT Networking Professionals

By : OWURACHY

owurachy@myself.com

THE CAMPUS FOCUS EXPERIENCE 1

WHAT CAMPUS FOCUS IS ALL ABOUT
Campus Focus  is a human capital development organization which is non-governmental and non-profit oriented.

Our Mission

Our mission is to integrate the activities of students on various campuses across the country and beyond, and also ensure the effective and successful implementation of ICT in Educational Policies in Ghana.
The potential of ICT in fostering educational development in the developing world and for that matter Ghana is unequivocally clear when we look at the education challenges that confront us.

Campus Focus seeks to achieve this through its networks on various campuses known as CAMPUS FOCUS NETWORK (CFN).
These groups of students seek to address the challenges facing students and make them known through an online medium known as www.campusfocus.net.

This electronic medium will help students across the country to share solutions in addressing these challenges facing them.

Campus Focus also seeks to create a better platform for social networking among Ghanaian students. This would enable our students to meet with others who also share similar interest, ideas and learning resources that will develop them to graduate as social beings.

THE STATE OF CAMPUS FOCUS NETWORK (CFN)

Campus Focus Network (CFN), Legon, is the mother of all the other networks on the various campuses. It has a membership base of about 500.
It is however worthy of note, that, although the network has shown lots of prospects, more can be done to raise it to a higher level that we all seek since www.campusfocus.net has also been reformed to enhance our social networking experience.

Slogan

We want to see the full realization of the slogan of Campus Focus - "... Sharing the relevant..."
By this, we mean getting students fully informed about all the happenings on our various tertiary campuses.

By : OWURACHY

owurachy@myself.com