Accra, Ghana//-MTN Ghana’s investments in the education of Ghanaian youth and the country’s education sector have been hailed by present and successive governments and other key stakeholders.
All these investments have been taken up by the MTN Ghana 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.
The Foundation currently has three focus areas namely- Health, Education and Economic Empowerment, is set up as a separate legal entity with its own independent Board of Directors and Patrons who oversee its operations.
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.
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 $13.5 million in 157 projects in its focus areas which are estimated to have impacted over four million people across the country, according to senior officials of the Foundation.
Key educational infrastructure projects
Out of the total number of projects, the Foundation has invested in 87 education projects and they include 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 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 digitalization agenda of the country.
The facility, which is the biggest investment that MTN Ghana Foundation has made in 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.
Scholarships to needy and brilliant students
Speaking at the launch of the MTN Ghana’s 25th anniversary which was attended by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, MTN Ghana’s CEO Selorm Adadevoh, said: “Your Excellency as education is a prime focus of your government, you will be interested to know that, as far back as 2002, Scancom had already set up the Spacefon Scholarship Scheme which has now become the MTN BRIGHT Scholarship program.
This scholarship scheme has provided assistance to thousands of needy and brilliant children all over the country since the days of Spacefon and our commitment continues in this respect”.
These scholarships cover the cost of tuition, accommodation and a stipend for books and other relevant reading materials for the duration of their studies.
The MTN BRIGHT Scholarship is an initiative that is dear to the hearts of the telecoms company because of the potential it has in shaping the future and destiny of the youth and ultimately the country.
Tonnes of gratitude
Beneficiaries of the scholarship programme including Ms Ummu Adam, a student of the University of Ghana, thanked MTN Ghana for investing in their future and promised the board, management and staff of the telecom company that they won’t disappoint them.
Ms Dzadey Dziedzorm, a beneficiary of the scholarship and student of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) was equally grateful to MTN Ghana for sponsoring their education.
She said: “Without the MTN’s scholarships most of us who have deferred our courses to next year. This is because there are no other options”.
Ms Dziedzorm who is studying Bachelor of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the UHAS, added: “The scholarship scheme is really a very good initiative which will propel them to greater heights”.
Support for teachers
In its bid to help train qualified teachers, the Foundation has since 2015awarded scholarships to 60 teachers in first and second cycle public institutions to pursue First or Master degrees through its Teacher Improvement Award programme.
The scholarship is targeted at teachers in public institutions who seek to further their studies in Science, Mathematics or English Language.
Furthermore, the Foundation has also supported members of the teaching profession in diverse ways over the past 25 years and has taken several initiatives aimed at motivating and empowering teachers.
It supported the National Best Teacher Awards scheme in the past by providing the prize package for the second position from 2007 to 2014.
As the Corporate Services Executive of MTN Ghana, Samuel Koranteng said: “Teachers are critical to the right to equitable and quality education.
They are key to us achieving our country’s development goals and other global development agenda such as the sustainable development goals. We are always ready to commit resources to train and equip teachers with skills needed to promote effective education”.
Bottom line
Investing in the human capital of a nation like Ghana is like God restoring the eyesight of a virtually impaired person which he needs the most. So one can infer that
MTN Ghana is contributing to the forward march of the country.
By Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, African Eye Report