Month: October 2023

Isaac Apenteng serves as the Information Security Manager, leading Hubtel’s information security efforts. For Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we had the opportunity to sit down with Isaac to discuss his remarkable journey, transitioning from a teacher to an Information Security Manager. He also shares some valuable insights on staying safe online.  

The childhood dream… 

We all dreamed of a profession growing up, and Isaac is no different. He had always dreamed of becoming a teacher because he believed he had the gift of teaching. To realize his dream, he set his sights on earning a diploma in education from the University of Education, Winneba. Afterward, he taught English for a couple of years. Then progressed to become a head teacher at a primary school in Kumasi. 

Stepping into the world of IT 

While pursuing his teaching career, Isaac found his interest piqued by Information Technology. This new interest led him to pursue a degree in Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSc. IT). After completing his degree, Isaac fulfilled his mandatory national service by working at the National Information Technology Agency (NITA).

Catalyst for Success 

Isaac reflects on his journey, stating ” Right after my national service, I got the opportunity to work at SMSGH, now Hubtel, as a customer support officer. Shortly after my joining, the company introduced a new product named the point of sale service (POSS), leading to the establishment of a new department tasked with conducting Know Your Customer (KYC) analysis for all businesses brought onto the platform.

I was fortunate to be part of this department, which laid the foundation for my career in compliance and security, as our primary responsibility was ensuring the compliance of all businesses joining the platform. 

During this period, SMSGH was in the process of transitioning into Hubtel and working towards meeting the requirements for obtaining an information security certification. To oversee this transition, a new department was created. Within this new department, there was a vacancy for an information security manager, and I was appointed to lead and oversee it—a role I have successfully held for four years now.” 

What my day-to-day looks like 

Isaac stated, “I categorize my days into two types: normal and abnormal.”On my normal days, most of my tasks revolve around access control, participation in risk-related meetings, and conducting training for new recruits. On abnormal days, I often receive alerts on phishing emails that staff may have encountered, instances of fraudulent activities requiring investigations, or reports of unscrupulous individuals exploiting Hubtel’s brand to defraud people on social media.” 

My fondest memory since joining Hubtel 

“A month after I joined Hubtel, it happened to be my birthday. I remember receiving a cake with my name written on it. I was taken aback and thought, “Eh, what kind of company is this? It left an impression on me because it was my first official experience in the corporate world, and I did not know companies take the time to celebrate their employees in such a thoughtful way. It was a plus for me and I will always remember that.” 

Proudest moment 

Recounting his proudest moment, Isaac shared, “My proudest achievement would have to be coordinating the implementation and maintenance of Hubtel’s Information Security Management System (ISMS – ISO27001:2013) and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) certification. Hubtel has successfully achieved initial certification and recently underwent a successful ISO 27001:2013 recertification audit, resulting in the issuance of another certificate. This accomplishment instills in me a profound sense of responsibility and fulfillment, as it shows our active contribution to Hubtel’s growth.” 

Tips to stay safe online 

Isaac is responsible for implementing and maintaining security measures to protect sensitive data, not only for our customers but also for Hubtel as a whole, and he is happy to share some tips on how to stay safe online: 

• Understand the risks of each online platform you use so that your personal information is not vulnerable to cyber criminals. 
• To avoid compromise, never share your credentials with anybody.
• See security as part of life. Stay well-informed and keep up-to-date with the latest cybersecurity trends and defensive tips to avoid falling victim. 

Looking forward 

“I am almost done with my master’s in cyber security and digital forensics” Isaac revealed, “I aspire to further my studies in the psychology of cybersecurity. My dream is to contribute to society’s cyber education and awareness, as we still see individuals falling victim to basic scams and social engineering tactics.” 

Hubtel commits to responsibly handling your data and protecting your privacy through strict protocols and industry-standard privacy policies. Learn more at: https://explore.hubtel.com/legal/privacy-policy/ 

Sazian Integrative Clinic is a medical aesthetic and naturopathic clinic dedicated to helping you feel and look your best. One of the most interesting things about the clinic is its commitment to treating patients using non-surgical methods and the payment flexibility it provides.  

Why I started the clinic: 

Dr. Gifty Awuni-Ellis’ first job as a Physician assistant in a small town in Northern Ghana opened her eyes to the persistent health problems people faced. 

“I always wondered if there were a way people could be cured and would not have to visit the hospital all the time. I wanted to help people treat medical conditions from the root cause and not just the signs and symptoms.” The experience fueled a curiosity that led her to pursue a doctorate in Naturopathic medicine, a system that uses natural remedies to help the body heal itself, and later, she had the opportunity of training in medical aesthetics under the renowned Dr. Sam Assassa at Beverly Hills Aesthetics in California, USA. 

How I began: 

She opened her first clinic in a modest space at Batsonaa that soon saw remarkable growth. To accommodate the increasing number of patients, she relocated the clinic first to Tema community 18 and later to its current location at East Airport which was recommended by one of her patients. Now, in 2023, the clinic has expanded its presence with branches in Accra, Tamale, and Kumasi.  

Our biggest challenge: 

Sazian Integrative Clinic encountered two main challenges in managing its healthcare payments. 

Firstly, their patients utilized a diverse range of payment methods, including cash, cards, mobile money, and bank transfers. This diversity made it challenging to efficiently streamline the payment processing system.  

Secondly, their previous payment processing system had a drawback: it imposed a 24-hour delay on settling payments. This delay affected the clinic’s financial operations because money was not readily available when needed.  

Hubtel to the rescue: 

With this, it became evident that it was time to find a payment solution that could serve their patients better. To address this, they turned to Hubtel’s POS, thanks to a recommendation by one of their patients.  

Hubtel POS addressed the clinic’s two main challenges effectively. It allowed for the seamless processing of various payment methods, providing patients with the flexibility they needed. Whether it was card payments, bank transfers, or mobile money, Hubtel’s POS could process transactions securely. This eliminated the need for cash transactions and the associated risk of theft.  

Also, with the hourly settlements, money became readily available when required, significantly enhancing the clinic’s financial operations.  

“After the switch, Hubtel’s POS has been nothing short of a blessing. It gave our patients payment flexibility, and we were also able to process payments quickly. It really did make everyone happy. Not to forget the hourly payment settlement it offered us. Coming across Hubtel was like a gift from Heaven.” 

What the future holds: 

“On a personal level, my dedication to healthcare knows no bounds,” stated Dr. Awuni-Ellis. “We are expanding our services to include Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist care and opening other branches in Kumasi and Tamale. In Tamale, our emphasis is on detoxification and reflexology. This is because we believe in the power of detoxification to rejuvenate the body and reflexology to restore balance.” added Dr. Awuni-Ellis. 

“We have exciting plans to embrace more technology and provide advanced services for the benefit of our patients.” 

The legacy I want to leave: 

For Dr. Awuni-Ellis, her legacy and that of the clinic are deeply personal. “We want to be remembered as healers who left a lasting impact on the lives we touched. It is not just about treating physical ailments; it is about alleviating the emotional burdens that often accompany illness,” she stated.  

It is her dream for Sazian Integrative Clinic to be a trusted companion on patients’ healthcare journeys, no matter which specialty they need. That is why she is on a mission to make healthcare more humane, more compassionate, and more holistic, all while embracing the possibilities that technology and AI offer. 

Hubtel offers products and innovations that connect businesses with their customers. You can easily receive money by integrating your systems with Hubtel’s APIs, create invoices to take payments via card or mobile money, send bulk SMS to your database for payments or withdrawals to mobile money or bank accounts, and conveniently receive payments online through bank cards and GHQR using web checkout.  

Tania, the owner of Two Guys Supermarket, who lived a greater part of her life in Europe, was determined to return home and start her own business while allowing her sons to experience the rich history and diverse culture of her motherland. 

After a failed hair salon in 2019, Tania got the inspiration to start a grocery business during the covid which to many people was not a smart business move. But to her, it was an opportunity to help people get access to their daily essentials and her unrelenting drive to show the naysayers it was possible to return home and make it. Inspired by her sons, Tania named her business Two Guys Supermarket to serve as a source of motivation. 

What started as an impossible business to many, considering the time of its inception, Two Guys Supermarket quickly grew from a brick-and-mortar business to a hybrid business. The business offers clients three ways of shopping. Either in-person, pickup, or home delivery.  

Drawing lessons from her previous salon business experience, Tania learned the importance of getting everything right from the start. Given the nature of the grocery business, she understood the necessity of implementing a system to track sold items and provide real-time updates on stock levels to prevent running out of inventory. This is when Hubtel entered the scene.  

With Hubtel’s POS, Two Guys Supermarket has been able to:  

• Efficiently track and manage inventory, eliminating fears of theft. 
• Increased sales by introducing payment flexibility. 
• Saved time by not tracking inventory manually.
• Expedited payment processing. 

Challenge 

With a grocery business’s demanding nature and its location in East Legon, a bustling business district, business had to move fast. In grocery shopping, time is of the essence, and any hindrance to the checkout process, such as payment acceptance issues or slow checkout points, could lead to lost sales.  

Additionally, Tania’s lifestyle, which involved frequent international travel, required her to entrust her business to her employees. Thus, she needed a system to ensure the smooth operation of her business in her absence.  

“I visit family in Europe during the summer vacations. So, I wanted to ensure business runs smoothly even when I am not around” Tania explained. Recognizing the importance of working smart, she took steps to implement the right systems. 

Solution – Hubtel POS

The solution came through a friend who introduced her to Hubtel POS, a mobile retail software with a web management dashboard that enables your business to accept payments from mobile money wallets across all networks. 

Hubtel’s POS effectively addressed the challenges of checkout and inventory management, significantly improving the shop management experience. Customers could make payments quickly, whether with cash, mobile money, bank transfers, or cards. 

Having access to accurate information about inventory and sales allowed Two Guys Supermarket to remain organized and maintain smooth operations. Tania says, “Hubtel’s POS saves me so much time. Even when I’m out of the country, I receive notifications when a sale is made, ensuring I stay informed about stock levels without needing to conduct manual inventory counts.” 

Results 

Tania’s journey from Europe back to her homeland, driven by a desire to create opportunities for her sons and succeed as an entrepreneur, has been nothing short of inspiring. 

With Hubtel’s POS, Two Guys Supermarket has efficiently managed various aspects of its operations, streamlined processes, and increased customer satisfaction. 

Tania’s commitment to her business and her customers’ needs propelled Two Guys Supermarket to success, proving that with the right tools and determination, every business can thrive.