June 30, 2023 – Madagascar Newswire

June 30, 2023

Verifone Launches New Brand

Verifone unveils new brand and enterprise website to exemplify its class-leading payments platform offering

Verifone new logo

New Verifone brand identity

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla., June 30, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Verifone rebrands to highlight its innovative payment solutions by introducing a new logo, brand identity and global website to align with an updated vision. Verifone is now the “Payments Architect and Commerce Expert” partner for all businesses everywhere. Verifone’s robust product and services portfolio delivers on that promise as it spans digital payment solutions, secure payment devices, cloud-hosted Payments as a Service, merchant acquiring, point of sale technology, advanced business insights through data science, managed services practices, and more.

After rebuilding its entire offering and company culture under new leadership, the refreshed brand identity matches the innovation and passion of a new Verifone. Consumer recognition and trust in the Verifone name needed to be preserved while simultaneously highlighting Verifone’s heightened digital focus, future-first approach and leading position in the marketplace. The new iconography conveys the connected, modular and evolving nature of payments in modern life, and it shows the architectural role Verifone plays in payments and commerce. All of this comes together on Verifone’s new global website where consumers, merchants and other stakeholders are introduced to a new, more user-friendly Verifone experience. The new brand is extensible across business units and around the world.

Verifone T650m Mobile Payment Device

With half a trillion dollars in transactions traversing its cloud via payment devices or Verifone-powered websites and apps, Verifone truly enables global commerce. Verifone stands out in the payments space where most businesses still piece together fragmented offerings from multiple providers to address complex customer needs. Verifone is the single provider with a comprehensive, flexible toolset that streamlines and reduces costs for any enterprise to accept payments.

“The world of commerce evolves constantly, and it is this dynamic environment that we’ve simplified and continue to revolutionize. Verifone started in the Fintech space over four decades ago, rapidly evolving our service offerings to meet the needs of all large and small businesses,” said Mike Pulli, Verifone CEO. “We are the critical commerce partner for businesses worldwide, offering solutions with a futureproof architecture. Our new brand matches our digital-first thinking, employee-focused mindset, and accelerated innovation. Our customers, and their customers, rely on Verifone every day.”

Verifone has focused intensely on new, innovative payment capabilities and features in recent years, significantly expanding the solution stack and enabling new markets. The company’s commerce expertise means its solutions can easily be adapted across nearly every vertical. From complex, global, omni-commerce retailers to a local vendor at a farmers’ market, Verifone futureproofs payment ecosystems and tech stacks.

Verifone M440 Multilane Payment Device

To experience Verifone’s new identity, watch the introduction video https://vimeo.com/verifone/newbrandlaunch and visit the new corporate global website at https://www.verifone.com/en/global. New country-specific websites will go live in the coming weeks and months.

About Verifone

Verifone is the payments architect shaping ecosystems for online and in-person commerce experiences, including everything businesses need – from secure payment devices to eCommerce tools, acquiring services, advanced business insights, and much more. As a global FinTech leader, Verifone powers omni-commerce growth for companies in over 165 countries and is trusted by the world’s best-known brands, small businesses, and major financial institutions. The Verifone platform is built on a four-decade history of innovation and uncompromised security, annually managing more than 12B transactions worth over $500B on physical and digital channels.

Verifone Media Contact:
Email: Press@Verifone.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e7b9f429-f5f1-4860-b995-5062fdf2a9ef

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fd30d469-60f2-47dd-b38d-3ad8691781c7

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/41c98491-40b2-4ec3-ac59-94d7cacf78cd

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8867578

June 30, 2023

St Kitts and Nevis announces extension to Citizenship by Investment Programme Sustainable Growth Fund Limited Time Offer due to unprecedented demand

Basseterre, June 29, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — International investors have been clamouring to take advantage of one of the best deals in the investment migration industry this year – St Kitts and Nevis’ Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF) Limited Time Offer (LTO) which allows investors to gain approval for alternative citizenship in the country in as little as 60 days for a reduced fee.

In December 2022, the St Kitts and Nevis Head of the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), Michael Martin, announced the enactment of the updated St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Regulations 2023, which included the introduction of the LTO for the SGF investment option effective 1 January 2023 – 30 June 2023.

On 29 June 2023, Michael Martin made the following comment regarding the LTO:

“We have received an overwhelming response and demand for our Sustainable Growth Fund investment option through the Limited Time Offer and felt that we had to extend the offering for another seven months until 31 January 2024. International investors continue to see the value of the world’s first and finest Citizenship by Investment Programme and this proves it”.

The SGF remains the quickest and easiest route to alternative citizenship in St Kitts and Nevis and now until 31 January 2024, a main applicant can acquire alternative citizenship by contributing only US$125,000 to the SGF and receiving approval in principle within 60 days of acknowledgement by the CIU of submission of their application.

Under the LTO, the minimum SGF contributions are as follows:

Single applicant – US$ 125,000
Main applicant and a spouse – US$150,000

Main applicant and up to three dependants – US$170,000
Each additional dependant under 18 – US$10,000
Each additional dependant over 18 – US$25,000

Revenue from the SGF has facilitated economic development and social upliftment in the country. The SGF is used to provide financial support to educational institutions, and medical facilities, as well as support infrastructural development, increase tourism, preserve local culture and heritage and support sustainable growth initiatives in the twin-island nation.

Discerning investors are seeing the benefits of being part of St Kitts and Nevis’ success story. Following upgrades to the CBI Regulations, the country now offers one of the most secure and best-regulated investment migration offerings in the world.

This means that international investors looking to hedge their bets in a stable and growing economy should look no further than St Kitts and Nevis.

This extension is a fantastic opportunity for investors to obtain citizenship through the LTO. This is a final extension and from 1 February 2024, the minimum SGF contribution will increase to the amounts prior to the LTO period.

The country is making sure that it has only the best to offer international entrepreneurs and families who have realised that global powerhouses are no longer illustrious investment options due to security risks. Investors want to ensure that they can safeguard their families and wealth in a global economy that has been offering nothing but uncertainty since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Smaller governments such as that of St Kitts and Nevis have found ways, through CBI, to protect themselves from global shocks, offer favourable business policies aimed at growing corporations in international markets and, by using international funds channelled to the SGF, can diversify and grow their economy to meet global needs.

St Kitts and Nevis continues to create a name for itself as a financial nexus in the Caribbean with an attractive CBI programme underpinned by a sound legal framework and robust multi-layered due diligence.

For nearly 40 years, St Kitts and Nevis has been the pioneer of the global investor immigration industry and those who recognise this are taking advantage of the LTO.

Chantal Mabanga
Government of St. Kitts and Nevis
+44 (0) 207 318 4343
chantal.mabanga@csglobalpartners.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8867177

June 30, 2023

Volta NDC thanks members for support in Assin-North by-election

Mr Mawutor Agbavitor, Volta Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has extended a message of gratitude to party faithful for their immense support during the recently held by-election in the Assin North constituency.

A release issued on Friday and copied to the Ghana News Agency said: ‘As head of the Regional Executive Committee, I want to express that we are elated by the massive mobilization, support contributions, and physical presence of party members from the Region in Assin-North to help in the bid of the party to see Mr James Gyakye Quayson re- elected as Member of Parliament – your efforts complemented the efforts of other party members from across the country, from the top to the ‘least person’ in delivering the massive victory for the Mr Quayson.’

The release observed that the people of Ghana by the outcome of the Assin-North by-election, have proven their resolve to stand on the side of truth and justice – The victory of the NDC in Assin-North, has gone to emphasiSe the positive defiance against regime manipulations.

The release further said that the massive deployment of government machinery and the attempts to buy votes, have been blatantly defeated by the conscience of the people – Assin-North has shown the way for what unity of purpose can do heading into the 2024 general elections.

‘Given the massive love, support and delivery in Assin-North, I have no doubt that the NDC is energized now than ever – I want to thank you sincerely,’ Agbavitor said.

The release urged the support base of the party to continue to rise above intimidation and deliver victory to the NDC in the 2024 general elections.

Source: Ghana News Agency

June 30, 2023

Slain Okada rider to be buried July 15

Mandela Zanu, the 30-year-old commercial motor rider who was shot and killed at Akatsi in the Volta Region would be laid to rest on Saturday, July 15.

The deceased, father of two, met his untimely death on June 20 when some unknown gunmen shot him dead while returning from work.

Mr Emmanuel Gavor, a family member who spoke to the Ghana News Agency after a family sitting to discuss the final funeral rites of their son, said the decision to bury him was arrived at during their sitting on Thursday, June 29.

‘Mandela’s mortal remains will be taken on Friday, July 14 and burial will be on July 15.’

He indicated that all plans would be put in place to ensure an orderly movement before and after the final funeral rites.

‘There would also be a funeral church service to be led by the Global Evangelical Church, Akatsi Mount Zion Chapel before conveying the body to Akuave his hometown for burial.’

Meanwhile, the Avenor Traditional Council in collaboration with the Avenor Senior Peers Chamber has placed a GHC20.000 prize money for anyone who could assist the police to apprehend the assailants.

No arrest, however, has since been effected.

Source: Ghana News Agency

June 30, 2023

Large Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses returns to Kumasi after three-year break

Kumasi is set to host a large convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses, one of the largest convention organisations in the world after a three-year break occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The three-day global event dubbed, ‘Exercise Patience’, marks the return of large gatherings by the organisation since the interruption by the pandemic which compelled it to conduct conventions virtually across the globe.

Beginning July 7 and ending December 24, there would be a convention held every Friday to Sunday, in Twi, English, Ewe and Ghanaian Sign Language.

‘As much as we loved the convenience and quality of our virtual conventions, nothing can replace being together in a large group setting,’ said Kwame Oduro, spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses.

‘While our online conventions reached millions around the world and kept our communities safe, we long to get back to our joyful fellowship at these large gatherings,’ he added.

Some 6,000 conventions would be held worldwide as part of the 2023 ‘Exercise Patience’ Convention series.

In Ghana alone, more than 240 conventions would be held in 43 host cities from Friday through Sunday, six convention sessions would explore the quality of patience, highlighting its modern-day relevance through Scriptural examples.

Also, a live baptism will be performed following the Saturday morning session and a pre-recorded drama will be featured in two parts during the Saturday and Sunday afternoon sessions.

According to the spokesperson, ‘Patience is a beautiful quality that all Christians desire to display in their daily lives.’

‘Despite our good intentions, however, maintaining patience in the face of life’s many challenges can be a daily struggle. Spending three days exploring aspects of this quality will be very timely for all of us,’ he noted

Jehovah’s Witnesses have been holding public conventions in stadiums, arenas, convention centers, and theatres around the world for more than 100 years.

After resuming smaller in-person meetings and their public ministry during 2022, the summer of 2023 marks the first time they will gather at much larger regional events around the world since the lifting of pandemic restrictions.

The convention is open to the public and no collection is taken.

Source: Ghana News Agency

June 30, 2023

ECOWAS, African Courts Sign New Five Year Cooperation Agreement to Improve Execution of Mandates

The ECOWAS and African Courts have agreed on new initiatives for improving the execution of their respective mandates under a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the two Courts in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania.

Both courts agreed under the MOU, which was signed on 24th June 2023 at the end of a three-day judicial dialogue of the judges and officials of both courts, to cooperate through staff exchanges, representation in each other’s programme, undertake joint training, knowledge and information sharing.

The cooperation also extends to the publication of their respective jurisprudence as well as research and capacity building within the framework of their constituent instruments.

The MOU, which succeeds the 2018 inaugural MOU by both courts that lapsed in March 2021, is intended to reinforce the existing good relationship between the courts in the protection of human and peoples’ rights.

During the dialogue, the two Courts discussed a wide range of issues relating to their respective mandates during which a number of presentations were made by their officials followed by discussions on their respective jurisprudence.

This is mainly in the areas of human rights; their overlapping jurisdictions; their structures, appointment procedures and tenure; funding; access to the two Courts, admissibility of cases, challenges on compliance with their decisions and mechanisms put in place for the implementation of their decisions, among others.

Their legal staff also held a working session to share experiences and exchange ideas on matters of common interests, particularly on case management, drafting of judgments, legal aid, enforcement of judgments as well as the challenges and measures taken to resolve the identified challenges.

In addition, they reviewed their inaugural MOU which expired in March 2021 and identified the challenges that impeded the effective implementation of its provisions. They then recommended its renewal and made proposals with a view to ensuring that the successor MOU is more effective and implementable.

The two Courts also adopted a five -year Plan of Action for the effective implementation of the MOU.

The closing ceremony of the dialogue was jointly presided over by the Presidents of the two courts, Honorable Justice Edward Amoako Asante and Honorable Lady Justice Imani Aboud of the ECOWAS and African Courts respectively.

The delegation of the ECOWAS Court, accompanied by some Judges of the African Court, visited the United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) and the East African Court of Justice also based in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania.

Source: Ghana News Agency

June 30, 2023

Farmers advised to resort to local maize seed

The Center for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR- SARI), has advised farmers to resort to Open Pollinated Variety (OPV) of maize seed due to the shortage of hybrid seed.

Mr Haruna Ali, an Agronomist with the Savannah Agricultural Research Institute said the varieties that were produced through crossed pollination of two or more parents were well domesticated to suit the changing local environment like Sanzal sima, Bihilifa, Wangdata and Abeleehi.

Mr Ali’s advice followed the publication by the Ghana News Agency of the shortage of foreign-made maize seed ‘Pioneer’ and Lake, which was affecting the planting of maize in the Sissala enclave.

He stressed that hybrid maize seed was a progeny of two genetically different parents whose performance was supposed to be superior to its parents in terms of yield and genetic purity, and mentioned some to include Lake 601, Lima Grains (LG), paneer, Lake 606, Seedco, Pannar.

He advanced the following reasons why farmers should go in for OPVs of maize that were available on the market for the farmers.

According to him ‘Modern OPVs varieties were well suited to various locclimatesate and are capable of withstanding dry spells or tolerant to drought as a result of climate change effects than hybrids varieties.’

‘They can also be replanted year after year if production guidelines are maintained to enhance purity.

They can give economic yields of an average of 22 to 25 bags per acre with proper good agronomic practices, which makes a difference of eight to 10 bags’, he added.

The Agronomist also said another reason was the production of quality flour that had better flour volume than hybrids maize whilst the seeds did not require any special storage structure as it is done in hybrid maize.

The agronomist espoused that the seed cost was relatively cheaper as compared to foreign hybrid maize varieties and more economical for small-scale farmers to afford.

Mr Ali admitted that the OPVs did not demand high inputs requirements as was the case of hybrid maize and underscored that they were produced by the National Research institutions in the country that had expertise in the field of plant breeding.

Source: Ghana News Agency

June 30, 2023

Gov. Bago promises to build first-class Hajj camp for pilgrims

Gov. Umar Bago of Niger has promised to build a first-class Hajj transit camp for the state pilgrims to ease their movement to Saudi Arabia.

Bago made the promise in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Muna, an outskirts of the holy city of Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The governor revealed that his administration had opened discussion with Saudi Arabian authority to procure 100 gas powered buses to ameliorate the stress pilgrims go through during the core Hajj period.

“I have been opportune to visit Saudi Arabia for Hajj severally. Alhamdulillah, this is one of the smoothest we have had despite the population.

“The arrangement has been very wonderful. We have done our Hajj rites. We have been to all the places we are expected to visit as pilgrims. So far so good, everything has been going on very well,” he said.

Bago called on all the state pilgrims to pray for President Bola Tinubu’s good health, prosperity and wisdom to lead the country.

“They (pilgrims) should pray for peace in Nigeria, we have been battling with insecurity, and we pray to Allah to grant us his mercy and bring an end to the insecurity in our state and country.

“We are appealing to Nigerians to be patient with different policies of the government that aim at bringing economic prosperity. It is going to be tough from the begging, but am sure by the grace of God we will surmount it.

” And as a people from Niger State, we are very sure that as we have started, we are going to hit the ground running. With Allah on our side, we will succeed,” the governor assured.

He said that approval have been secured for Minna Airport project on the eve of the last administration.

Bago said: “Unfortunately, the people who handled the Minna Airport project were not serious about it from the beginning. The approval was done on the eve of the last administration.

“The contract was awarded for the drainage to the runway. But we have met with the contractor, we have gone very far and we are very optimistic that, by Allah’s grace, in 2023 pilgrims will fly from Niger State to Saudi Arabia.

“And above that, we are going to build a first class Hajj camp, just within the airport to reduce the hardship of Muslims.

“We are in discussion with Saudi Arabia authority so that we are going to buy 100 gas powered buses so that pilgrims won’t suffer anymore.”

Source: News Agency of Nigeria