MTN launches programme to celebrate local heroes

Telecommunications service provider, MTN Ghana on Tuesday launched what it says is a programme to seek out and celebrate individuals impacting positively on the lives of their communities.

Dubbed MTN Heroes of Change, the programme to be serialized on television will unearth people across the country with proven dedication of engagement in extraordinary activities to put smiles on the faces of members of their localities and recognize their contributions.

While MTN seeks to tell the stories of these extraordinary individuals, best heroes to be selected in various categories by a panel of judges, will stand to be rewarded with GHS10,000 each while the ultimate hero gets a project support of GHS50,000.

The MTN Heroes of Change programme is the latest addition to the telecom operator’s numerous Corporate Social Responsibility activities focusing on health, education and economic empowerment through which it has sunk GHS12 million since it established the MTN Ghana Foundation under which it manages the CSR activities five years ago.

According to MTN Ghana’s CEO, Mr. Michael Ikpoki, who co-launched the MTN Heroes of Change programme at the Alisa Hotel in Accra, members of the general

public will be encouraged to nominate their heroes for a shortlist, after which the jury will vet the stories to select finalists.

The selection jury is composed of Rev. Dr. Joyce Aryee, Executive Director of the Salt and Light Ministries; Mr. Sydney Casely-Hayford, a business and financial analyst; Mr. Ibrahim Awal, Founder and CEO of Marble Communications Group; Rev. Albert Ocran, international motivational speaker, author and minister of the gospel; and Dr. Doris Yaa Dartey, Graphic Communications Group Limited board chairperson.

“The work of the selected finalists will be broadcast through a thirteen week TV series. After this, winners for various categories will be selected and recognised and a grand award will be given to the finalist who will emerge as the MTN Hero of Change,” Mr. Ikpoki explained.

Criteria for the award categories are as follow:

• Community Crusader - an individual or group that has generated a proven indigenous solution to a persistent local or national or social issue with results.

• Social Protection - an individual or group that has advanced the cause of the vulnerable and marginalized in our society.

• Health - an individual or group that has dedicated services to awareness creation and advocacy for eradication of any identifiable health issue or has helped to provide health facility for a community.

• Environment - an individual or group that has devoted significant time and effort to creating environmental awareness and improving the general environmental condition of Ghanaians.

• Economic Empowerment - an individual or group that has engaged in projects aimed at building the capacity of members of a community in order for them to become self- sufficient and to enhance their livelihoods.

• Education - An individual or group that has engaged in educational projects aimed at improving literacy in our communities and acted as an agent of social change.
  

The MTN CEO explained the rational for the initiative, saying “Based on comprehensive official statistics, giving back to society counts. The recently issued Millennium Development Goals Report 2013 shows that the combined actions of national governments, the international community, civil society and the private sector are making the achievement of the MDGs a reality. This shows that the efforts of all players, including individuals and corporate organizations like MTN are yielding results.

“However we need to do more. In that same report, we are told that progress towards the eight MDGs has been uneven, not only among regions and countries, but also among population groups within countries. People living in poverty or in rural areas remain at an unfair disadvantage. In 2011, only 53% of births in rural areas were attended by skilled health personnel, versus 84% in urban areas. Eighty-three percent of the population without access to an improved source of drinking water source lives in rural communities.

“The UN Secretary General has stated that, "Through accelerated action, the world can achieve the MDGs and generate momentum for an ambitious and inspiring post-2015 development framework. Now is the time to step up our efforts to build a more just, secure and sustainable future for all.”

The Okeynhene, Osagyefo Amotia Ofori Panin II who was represented by Osabarima Obenakwa Kwarifa II, Apedwahene as chairperson for the occasion, said the well thought out programme was long overdue and commended MTN for seeking to honour true national heroes.

“How can we fail, when the reason we’ve gathered here today is to reward hard work, to celebrate men and women of this great nation who actually believe in getting up and doing something different instead of just talking?” He quipped.

He said we cannot falter when the intention is to encourage a host of others in their own small ways possible to come aboard and help bring development to the nation, and urged the selection jury to live up to their credibility by doing a good job of their roles.

The corporate Services Executive of MTN, Cynthia Lumor who emphasised the MTN Ghana Foundation’s objective of enhancing the socio-economic development of communities where the company operates, said the foundation has commissioned over 76 projects across the country in pursuit of the objective.

Story by Isaac Yeboah/Graphic.com.gh/Ghana