Accra, Ghana//-MTN Ghana Foundation today launched the MTN Heroes of Change season 7 to unearth and celebrate people who are giving back to their communities in extraordinary and impactful ways in the country.
The MTN Heroes of Change programme which is the flagship programme of the Foundation also seeks to rekindle the spirit of patriotism among Ghanaians.
Launching the season 7 edition of the TV reality programme, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer of MTN Ghana, Madam Adwoa Wiafe said: “The Heroes of Change programme resonates with us at MTN because it is about extraordinary people in our communities who believe in our shared vision of making lives brighter together.
It reflects the power that individuals possess to bring about remarkable change in society. And here, I will borrow a catchphrase from a program recently initiated by our CFO to bring home the point, and that is, the Power of One – one person, one idea and one action that results in social change”.
There are many examples of individuals who, against all odds, stood up and made a big difference. An example that stands out for me is the 2004 Nobel prize winner, Wangari Maathai, an environmentalist, human rights activist and founder of the Green Belt movement who mobilized Kenyan women to plant more than 30 million trees, she added.
This inspired the UN to launch a campaign that led to the planting of 11 billion trees worldwide. She believed that there was a strong connection between environmental degradation and poverty and is quoted as saying “Poor people will cut the last tree to cook the last meal”. So effective was her campaign that the tree became a symbol of democratic struggle in Kenya. She achieved this amazing feat just because she dared to act, bringing immense pride to her country and continent, Africa”.
Madam Wiafe emphasized that their goal for Heroes of Change is to unearth the next Wangari Maathai(s) of Ghana – the real heroes who, in the words of the UNICEF Change Makers program, are “not presidents and policymakers; they’re not rich and famous … they’re ordinary men and women who do extraordinary things for one reason: to create change in their communities. These are people who will move mountains, rock by rock, to realize their vision for Africa. They are the real change makers – and they’re standing up to make a difference.”
“MTN’s 30-year journey (we are 30 this year) has been similarly transformative for Africa in many ways. Throughout these years, MTN has gone beyond the call of duty as a telecommunications provider, becoming a catalyst for positive change, empowering individuals, and communities across the continent in diverse ways. We have, for instance, pushed the boundaries of digital and financial inclusion connecting people from all walks of life and, through Momo, bringing much-needed basic financial services to many in Ghana and other parts of Africa”.
Criteria for selection
After today’s launch, there will be a call for entries. The criteria for the main entries remain unchanged”.
The criteria for selection are based on the following: the nomination for recognition in education is required to engage in an educational project aimed at improving literacy and enabling members of the community to become agents of social change while that for health is required to be devoted to awareness creation and advocacy for the eradication of any identifiable health issue.
On economic empowerment, the nominee is required to be engaged in a project aimed at building the capacity of members of a community for them to become economically self-sufficient whilst enhancing their livelihood.
The Foundation also introduced a new category, the Digital Hero category. This category is in line with MTN’s strategic intent to lead digital solutions for Africa’s progress and is therefore designed to celebrate those who are harnessing the power of social media and digital platforms to drive meaningful change.
Furthermore, the Foundation according to Madam Wiafe would organize workshops that would teach shortlisted heroes valuable skills in sound business practices, proposal writing, and leveraging digital platforms to optimize their efforts.
Collection of entries
After the collection of the entries, Madam Wiafe explained that they would be shortlisted by an esteemed jury further pruning to 100 and thereafter to 40 and finally 10 finalists.
The projects of the top 10 finalists will be filmed and featured in a 13-week television show on the major TV channels in the country. In the process, the viewers will be requested to vote for their favourite nominees to win the Ultimate Award.
Deadline
Season 7 of the MTN Heroes of Change which opened today will run till the 18th of October 2024.
Prizes
The ultimate Hero of Change winner will receive GH¢100,000 to support his/her community project. Four selected winners for the various categories will receive GH¢30,000 each, while the remaining six finalists will also take home GH¢10,000 each. The nominees will also be rewarded, according to her.
“In keeping with the times, we will use social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, to whip up support and keep the spirit of the MTN Heroes of Change alive online.
In his welcome address, Senior Manager, of Sustainability & Social Impact at MTN Ghana, Robert Kuzoe expressed gratitude to all their partners, the jury, the media, and community leaders, among others for their invaluable support to the MTN Heroes of Change programme.
Some of the past winners thanked MTN Ghana for marketing them and their projects to Ghana and across the world and pledged that they would never disappoint the company and the Foundation.
Winners so far
Dr Abrokwa-Yenkyera, a plastic surgeon and Founder of Grafts Foundation, emerged as the ultimate winner for the maiden edition of MTN Heroes of Change in 2014. Madam Paulina Opei, founder of the Save Our Lives Orphanage, emerged as the Hero of Change for Season II, while Madam Genevieve Basingha who is the current MTN Heroes of Change won in Season III.
Judges
The selection of winners’ projects is done by an independent panel of judges composed of Rev. Albert Ocran (Motivational Speaker), Oheneyere Gifty Anti ( media personality), and Adjetey Anang (actor).
Instructively, MTN Heroes of Change was first launched in July 2013 to identify and recognize selfless people who continue to sacrifice their time and resources to improve their communities and brighten their lives.
MTN Heroes of Change has won several awards. The project was recently adjudged 2016 IPR Best Community Relations Programme of the Year and was also awarded CSR Programme of the Year 2015 by the Head of State Awards (HoSA) Scheme.
