Accra, Ghana//-Eight years after receiving the prestigious MTN Heroes of Change 2015 awards, the recipients are still keeping the telecom giant’s dreams alive through economic empowerment, health, and education in their communities.
The MTN Heroes of Change which is MTN Ghana Foundation flagship project was initiated in July 2013 to recognise and reward persons who have provided significant humanitarian services to their communities through personal sacrifices.
The Foundation is the corporate social responsibility (CRS) arm of MTN Ghana which is celebrating its 25th anniversary of domineering telecom services provision in the West Africa’s second largest economy.
On 19 February 2016, 10 individuals joined the list of several past recipients of the MTN Heroes of Change.
That fateful night, the audience stood and clapped and fireworks flared when Madam Paulina Opei, a 57-year-old public health nurse announced as the winner at the grand finale of the 2015 MTN Heroes of Change at the Accra International Conference Centre.
PAST WINNERS
2019 season V
On August 17, 2019, 10 individuals joined the list of several past recipients of the MTN Heroes of Change. That fateful night Charles Ofori Antipem, a 26-year-old entrepreneur from Ayeduase in the Ashanti Region was adjudged as the ultimate winner of that year’s MTN Heroes of Change 2019.
He received a cheque worth GH¢100,000, a trophy and a citation at the grand finale of the season V of the MTN Heroes of Change programme held at the Accra International Conference last night.
Three other winners- Madam Louisa Enyonam Ansah, Dr Benjamin Akinkang, and Diana Adjei won prizes in the education, health and economic empower categories of the programme.
Each of them took home GH¢30,000, a trophy and a citation, while the remaining six finalists also received GH¢10,000 each.
Also Derick Omari, a young social entrepreneur and Afia Pokua of Adom FM (now of Peace FM) took home special prizes each. They received GH¢10,000 and hampers each.
2018 season IV
Madam Naomi Esi Arku Amoahwas adjudged as the ultimate winner of the 2018 MTN Heroes of Change on May 19 2018.
She received the same prize money, a trophy and a citation at the grand finale of the season IV of the MTN Heroes of Change programme held at the Accra International Conference.
Ms Amoah was followed by three other winners- Emmanuel Annobil, Madam Serwah Quaynoh and Rev Mrs Sanatu Nantogma won prizes in the education, health and economic empower categories of the programme.
They took home the same prizes as the previous category winners. While actresses- Yvonne Nelson and Yvonne Okoro, Seth Kwame Boateng and Joseph Opoku Gakpo both of Joy FM took home special prizes each. They received GH¢10,000 and hampers each.
2017 season III
Madam Genevieve Basingha surprised all when she beat off a competition to emerge as the ultimate winner of the MTN Heroes of Change 2017.
She received the same prize money, a trophy and a citation at the grand finale of the season III of the MTN Heroes of Change programe held at the National Theatre in Accra.
Three other winners- Rev. Moses Asaah, Rev. Monsignor Alex Bobby Benson and Jack James Dawnson won prizes in the education, health and economic empower categories of the programme.
2016 season II
Madam Paulina Opai, Founder of “Save Our Lives” Orphanage was full of tears of joy as she was declared winner of the 2016 MTN Heroes of Change Top Prize in the midst of some of her children.
While Pastor Joseph Jehu-Appiah from Apam in the Central Region; Dr. Emmanuel Bidzaikii, from Nakpanduri Northern Region; and Nayina Karim, Karaga won prizes for education, health and economic empowerment in that year.
2015 season I
Dr Abrokwa Yankyera, a plastic surgeon and founder of the Graft Foundation became the first winner of the MTN Heroes of Change.
That time the prize money for ultimate was GH¢50,000. He received a cheque worth that amount, a citation and a plaque for his outstanding work.
Use of prize monies
The prize monies of the five winners which are meant to support their community projects have been invested for that purpose.
THE RETURN OF THE PROGRAMME
The popular MTN Heroes of Change programme that highlighted the humanitarian activities of these five winners and over 15 category and special project winners in the areas of health, education and economic empowerment on several television (TV) stations has returned after two years of absence.
The annual TV reality programme was put on hold due to the deadly COVID-19 pandemic which broke in the country in March 2020.
Although the virus is still here, its spread has subsided. That is why the organiser, MTN Ghana Foundation has launched the programme dubbed ‘Special 25th Anniversary Edition’.
From 23rd February to 7th April 2022 members of the general public are invited to nominate COVID-19 heroes from their communities.
The nominations will then be pruned to 10 and the stories of these 10 will be filmed and featured in a 13-week television show.
A total of GH¢200,000 has been set aside to reward the final 10 heroes which means that all 10 finalists will receive a cash prize of GHS 20,000, a certificate, and a citation alongside the visibility on TV and social media channels. Nominations can be made at www.heroes.mtn.com.gh.
This year’s edition – one of a kind
The Board Chairman of the MTN Ghana Foundation, Professor Franklyn Manu, who performed the launch, described the 2022 edition as “one of a kind”.
“This year’s edition is happening at a time when MTN Ghana is marking 25years of its operations and it is also taking place during the period of COVID- 19, the global pandemic that has shaken the world”, he explained.
“In response to COVID 19, this edition will reward individuals and institutions who brightened the lives of people in the three focus areas of the Foundation which are Health, Education and Economic Empowerment”.
All the projects submitted must be COVID related. In view of that, this year’s Heroes of Change will be dedicated to celebrating heroes in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
10 heroes will be selected at the end of the season and all of them will be adjudged winners, according to Prof Manu.
Education
In the area of Education category, the Foundation will be looking out for individuals and organizations that showed innovation in educating people about Covid or ensuring that students were kept meaningfully engaged/ educated throughout the period of the pandemic.
Health and Economic Empowerment
For the Health category, Prof Manu said that; “individuals and organizations that showed leadership in providing for and supporting the effort to rid the country of the pandemic will be recognized.
Economic Empowerment will focus on individuals and organizations that showed leadership in providing economic support to people who have been negatively impacted by the pandemic”.
The process
He explained that after the collection of entries, the projects submitted by applicants would be shortlisted by a panel of judges.
Short listed projects will further be pruned down to 10 and the stories of these 10 nominees will be filmed and featured in a 13-week television show.
Prizes up
All the 10 finalists of the season VI will receive a cash prize of GH¢ 20,000, a certificate and a citation with visibility on TV and social media channels.
Keeping an eye on projects
Whilst doing this, MTN Ghana Foundation is keeping an eye on its key projects aimed at alleviating poverty, increasing income levels and improving access to quality education and health.
This year alone MTN has made some big commitments in each of the focus areas as part of the 25th Anniversary legacy projects. As the leading market operator in Ghana, addressing social challenges is an inherent part of its business.
As the Foundation launched the 2022 edition of MTN Heroes of Change, it is calling on everyone to identify the people who went the extra mile to help their communities during the peak of the pandemic and nominate them for the reward.
The President of Journalists for Business Advocacy (JBA), Suleiman Mustapha observed that the MTN Heroes of Change is the surest way of celebrating ordinary people doing extraordinary things in their communities.
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