Accra, Ghana//-MTN Ghana has launched the eighth season of its flagship Heroes of Change, significantly increasing the programme’s prize packages for the potential winners.
The Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer of MTN Ghana, Madam Adwoa Wiafe, who announced the launch explained that the overall winner’s prize is increased to GH¢400,000 from GH¢200,000.
The first runner-up prize up to GH¢200,000, from GH¢60,000, while each of the remaining finalists, she said, would receive GH¢100,000 instead of the previous GH¢45,000.
Madam Wiafe added that the 2026 awards would recognise sustainability, digital innovation and the nominators of the finalists.
The initiative, which was launched in Accra on Wednesday, 5 August, as part of MTN Ghana’s 2026 Sustainability Month, would reward outstanding individuals working in education, health, economic empowerment, digital innovation and community development.
Madam Wiafe described the Heroes of Change as one of the company’s most meaningful corporate social investment programmes because it celebrates Ghanaians who dedicate their lives to improving the well-being of others without seeking recognition.
She paid tribute to previous finalists, saying they voluntarily wake up every day to serve vulnerable people despite receiving no financial reward.
Madam Wiafe was emphatic that true progress is driven by people who accept responsibility for solving problems in their communities.
She linked the initiative to MTN’s 30th anniversary theme, ’30 Years of Progress, Powered by You,’ explaining that MTN’s growth was built on solving everyday problems for ordinary Ghanaians rather than merely pursuing commercial success.
Madam Wiafe recalled how access to telephones was once limited to communication centres, public phone booths and a few homes before MTN expanded connectivity nationwide.
According to her, the same philosophy guides Heroes of Change by identifying people quietly changing lives in their communities.
Mrs Wiafe noted that sustainability had become a global corporate priority, but many of the Heroes of Change finalists had been practising sustainable community development long before it became a popular business concept.
She said every Ghanaian deserves dignity and recognition and urged the public to nominate individuals whose contributions often go unnoticed.
Roadmap for Season 8
Madam Wiafe, who performed the launch, announced that nominations for Season 8 would run from August to September 2026.
It would be followed by screening of about 100 entries and a judges’ shortlist of 30 nominees. Nationwide verification visits will take place in September, with the final 10 selected in October.
Their stories will be filmed between October and November 2026 and broadcast from December 2026 to March 2027. The season will culminate in the MTN Heroes of Change Awards in March 2027, according to her.
Madam Wiafe therefore encouraged the public to nominate deserving individuals, stressing that lasting social transformation begins with simple acts of kindness and service.
Theme
Touching on the theme- ‘ Small Actions Create Big Impact’, General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value, Georgina Fiagbenu, said the Heroes of Change perfectly embodies MTN Ghana’s Sustainability Month theme.
She said the initiative demonstrates how ordinary Ghanaians undertaking small acts of service can create lasting national impact.
Heroes of Change has over the years celebrated teachers, volunteers, caregivers and community champions who identify local challenges and work tirelessly to solve them, Mrs Fiagbenu noted.
She said their efforts build stronger communities and inspire others to contribute to national development.
Past winner
Dr Angela Dwamena-Aboagye, Executive Director of The Ark Foundation and overall winner of Season 7, said winning Heroes of Change transformed the Foundation’s ability to support abused women and children.
She disclosed that the GH¢100,000 prize enabled the Foundation to renovate its transit shelter, improving accommodation and rehabilitation services for survivors of abuse, trafficking and exploitation.
She thanked MTN Ghana for recognising community volunteers and said the platform had amplified the work of all ten finalists, inspiring them to continue serving their communities.
Dr Dwamena-Aboagye led the nine other finalists in presenting a citation to the MTN Foundation in appreciation of its sustained investment in education, health and economic empowerment. The citation commended the Foundation for amplifying the voices of community changemakers and inspiring positive social impact.
The programme has recognised more than 100 changemakers since its inception and complements the MTN Ghana Foundation’s more than 178 social intervention projects, which have impacted about five million people.
