GHANA’S Deputy Minister of Communications, Ato Sarpong says technology is vital in solving the country’s numerous development challenges with speed and ease.
That is why the government is investing in IT infrastructure including the National Fibre Optic Backbone Project which is extending telecommunication services to greater part of the country.
“The thing about IT is its ability to expand the tax net, help service providers to cut down cost of doing business and most importantly create more jobs. And this is why everything possible must be done to aid technology”, Mr Sarpong said these when he launched this year’s ‘Digital Change Makers’ in Accra.
To this end, he assured that his ministry would continue to create enabling environment for players in the telecom industry to grow their businesses.
Mr Sarpong lauded the Digital Change Makers competition being spearheaded by Tigo Ghana in partnership with Reach for Change, a Swedish Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO).
The Digital Change Makers which is a new social entrepreneurship programme aimed at identifying and empowering young Ghanaians with innovative digital solutions to step forward and help solve some of Ghana’s most pressing needs.
In statement, the Chief Executive Officer of Tigo Ghana, Roshi Motman, said the two top winners of the Digital Change Makers would each receive a funding grant of GHc60,000 ($20,000) and the needed expert guidance and support to bring their ideas to fruition.
“Starting from 3rd November 2014 to 1st December, 2014, we are encouraging all social entrepreneurs to step forward with the best digital technology ideas that can create a bigger impact on the lives of children and Ghanaians”, she added.
Mrs. Motman stressed: “We are looking for the best innovative digital ideas that can impact and provide genuine solutions to problems facing children and society, while at the same time promoting connectivity and access to communications, particularly in deprived communities”.
The Head of Corporate Responsibility at Tigo Ghana, Gifty Bingle noted that the Digital Change Makers initiative was in line with Tigo’s strategy of promoting a digital lifestyle.
This is the third year that both Tigo and Reach for Change are jointly supporting Ghanaian social entrepreneurs. During this period 13 social entrepreneurs have received funding from the initiative with their projects benefiting a total of 500,000 children across Ghana, she stated.
According to the organisers, ideas presented to the competition must demonstrate the potential in utilising mobile broadband, digital and or information technology to improve the quality of the proposed project. Interested persons they say should apply online via www.tigo.com.gh/digitalchangemakers.
African Eye News.com
