Accra, September 21, 2017//-MTN Ghana Foundation has launched the MTN Heroes of Change season IV 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 IV edition of the TV reality programme, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Mrs Amma Benneh Amponsah encouraged all and sundry to “spot and nominate people who are doing exceptional social work” for the programme.
Criteria for selection
She explained that; “after today’s launch there will be 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 in order for them to become economically self-sufficient whilst enhancing their livelihood.
Collection of entries
After the collection of the entries, Mrs Amponsah further 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.
Prizes
The ultimate Hero of Change winner will receive GH¢100,000 to support his/her community project. Three 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, according to her.
Also, there will be a special recognition awards in the season IV edition to recognise personalities including journalists, radio and TV presenters who run campaigns that benefit their communities. An undisclosed amount of money will be awarded to the winner(s) of that category.
Mrs Amponsah who is the Human Resource Executive of MTN Ghana assured: “The MTN Ghana Foundation will continue to give back to society to brighten lives through its activities as we celebrate our 10th anniversary in November 2017”.
In her welcome address, the Corporate Services Executive of MTN Ghana, Mrs Cynthia Lumor said: “We are looking forward to projecting the nominee stories and to reward them for their selfless services.”
Speaking through a sign language interpreter, the Ultimate Winner of this year’s MTN Heroes of Change, Madam Genevieve Basingha, a hearing impaired, once again thanked MTN Ghana Foundation for the honour done her and her colleague winners.
She said: “God bless the MTN Ghana Foundation for investing in deaf children in the country”.
Winners so far
Dr. Abrokwa-Yenkyera, a plastic surgeon and Founder of Grafts Foundation, emerged 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 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), Dr. Doris Dartey (Communications Consultant), and Sidney Casely-Hayford (Economist).
Instructively, MTN Heroes of Change was first launched in July 2013 with the aim of identifying and recognizing selfless people who continue to sacrifice their time and resources to improve their communities and brighten 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.
African Eye Report
