Accra, Ghana//-It is MTN Ghana’s fervent belief that businesses exist today for reasons beyond financial returns. This is what has fuelled its consistent commitment to invest in education, health and economic empowerment through the MTN Ghana Foundation with over 187 projects since inception.
The Foundation, which was set up in 2007 as a single-purpose vehicle to drive all MTN Ghana’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in the country, currently has three focus areas- Health, Education and Economic Empowerment.
It is set up as a separate legal entity with its own independent Board of Directors and Patrons who oversee its operations.
Taking his turn at MTN Ghana’s Bright Conversations on Wednesday, 27 August, Board Chairman of the Foundation, Professor Franklin Manu, explained to journalists that the Foundation’s commitment is centred on the socio-economic development of the country through the unveiling of appropriate and sustainable social interventions in communities across the country.
According to him, the Foundation’s contribution to the social investment in the West African country is unmatched. We have tormented the lives of all segments of the Ghanaian society, Prof Manu stated.
The Foundation, which is funded by a percentage of profit after tax (PAT) from MTN Ghana, hopes that its initiatives will strengthen and deepen the collective efforts of key stakeholders who are working towards a healthy nation.
Since its establishment, the Foundation has invested over $13.5 million in 157 projects in its focus areas, which are estimated to have impacted over four million people across the country.
EDUCATION
Out of the total number of projects, the Foundation has invested in 87 education projects, and they include an ultra-modern technology laboratory for the Ghana Institute of Public Administration (GIMPA), a six-unit classroom block for Nhyiaeso Basic School, a three-unit classroom block, a 600-bed Girls’ Dormitory and an adjoining house mistress bungalow for Tamale Senior High School (SHS) and an ICT Centre for Mangoaso R.C Basic School, among others.
The GIMPA’s state-of-the-art ICT laboratory was handed over to the school after the Foundation had invested an amount of Ghc731,784 into it.
The amount covers the cost of providing telecommunications and electronics laboratory building, electronic equipment, furniture /cabinet for the main lab and an ICT Cable infrastructure.
The facility has paved the way for GIMPA to run an MSc programme in Telecommunications Engineering, while plans are underway to also make it possible for the Institution to successfully run programmes in ICT, Computer Science, and Management Information Systems.
These courses are critical to ensure that the country has the right expertise needed to drive and support the digitalisation agenda of the country.
The facility, which is the biggest investment that MTN Ghana Foundation has made in an ICT lab for a single institution in the country, can also spur innovation in and out of the school.
The MTN Foundation has also built ICT Centres for the Takoradi Technical Institute, Koforidua Technical University, Bonsu Agric University and the Assistive Technology Unit at the University of Ghana.
Through these and other investments made in universities and other higher learning institutions across the country, digital inclusion and innovation are being sustained.
MTN BRIGHT Scholarship program
Also, as far back as 2002, Scancom Plc, the parent company of MTN Ghana, had already set up the Spacefon Scholarship Scheme, which has now become the MTN BRIGHT Scholarship program.
This scholarship scheme has assisted thousands of needy and brilliant students all over the country since the days of Spacefon, and its commitment continues in this respect.
HEALTH
The Foundation has executed 52 health projects, as well as numerous smaller initiatives in various communities to brighten lives in all 16 regions of Ghana, since its establishment.
Health is one of three focus areas of the Foundation, and its project selection criteria, according to senior officials of the Foundation, are aligned with the achievement of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), should reflect the real needs of the community, and be sustainable.
Besides the provision of these health facilities, health equipment, blood donations, distribution of mosquito nets and payment of surgeries for the vulnerable, the Foundation also provided potable water for communities by funding the drilling of boreholes, thereby helping to prevent water-borne diseases.
Through the MTN Foundation, the company had donated an additional GHS5 million, bringing its total contribution to GHS10 million since 2020, to the National COVID-19 Trust Fund in support of the government’s efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Foundation, which is the corporate social responsibility wing of MTN Ghana, also encouraged vaccinations and donated 356,000 vaccines to the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Health.
However, with all these huge supports, Prof Manu is not happy that the government seems not to appreciate the Foundation’s support.
