By Sandra Agyeiwaa OTOO
MTN organized its prominent yearly humanitarian honors event—the MTN Heroes of Change—at the Accra venue via the MTN Ghana Foundation.
This initiative seeks to recognize and celebrate people who are significantly impacting their communities by offering support through programs centered around economic growth, education, and health care, thereby providing hope for those facing difficulties.
During an interview, the Board Chairman of MTN Ghana Foundation, Franklin Manu, highlighted that the Heroes of Change program demonstrates how people can bring about substantial change within their communities even when they do not have access to extensive resources or support from large organizations or corporations.
"What we aim to achieve here is addressing numerous issues within our communities. We often turn to the government or large companies for solutions, but as a foundation promoting the concept of 'heroes of change,' we emphasize that individual actions can also bring about significant impact," he explained.
"Many individuals may not have much individually, but within their communities, they've managed to create an impact. The key message we aim to convey is that one doesn't need to await someone wealthy to initiate change," he concluded.
Mr. Manu praised this year's Heroes of Change finalists, highlighting that their projects were both impressive and influential, which made the selection process difficult owing to the outstanding contributions presented.
The top prize was awarded to Dr. Angela Dwamena-Aboagye, the founder of the Ark Foundation, who received GH₵100,000. Additionally, nine other finalists were acknowledged for their efforts.
Her choice stemmed from more than twenty years of comprehensive work in gender-based advocacy, concentrating particularly on education and economic empowerment.
Dr. Dwamena-Aboagye conveyed her thanks, mentioning that being acknowledged by the MTN Foundation was an honor for her. She explained that her real sense of achievement stems from observing the beneficial changes in the lives of those they have supported.
"My sense of fulfillment arises from witnessing transformations in individuals following our attempts to support them; however, for someone or a corporation such as MTN, via their foundation, to acknowledge this achievement is truly significant—it is an honor," she stated.
She stressed that the nation isn't putting forth sufficient effort, which is why they not only provide backing to the victims but also push for policy reforms to encourage the government to acknowledge the importance of this workforce.
She stated, "Ghana suffers significant financial losses due to the impact on individuals who face abuse—both through medical expenses and loss of productivity at work. According to ISSER, our country forfeits approximately $200 million annually; thus, I believe greater focus is needed on this issue."
She praised MTN, noting that their foundation has achieved remarkable things within the nation, and urged them to keep prioritizing disadvantaged communities, applauding their significant contributions.
"MTN has performed admirably. Besides presenting us with awards, their foundation has made remarkable strides within the nation. I believe they should persist and focus more on those who typically receive little to no attention. We genuinely commend them for their efforts," she praised.
The other recipients were Martha Opoku Agyemang (in the Health category), Adangabey Yaw Rockson (in the Education category), and Sakina Mumani (for Economic Empowerment). Each was honored with an award certificate, a plaque, and a cash prize of GH₵60,000 to support their initiatives.
Nana Tea and the Bus Stop Boys shared the honors as co-winners of the newly introduced Digital Category, with both earning GH₵30,000 each for their charitable efforts using digital platforms to rally support for individuals in need via social media.
The MTN Heroes of Change program reaches its peak as it acknowledges and honors people and organizations that are fostering significant transformations within their communities via advancements in health, education, and economic growth. The MTN Foundation further strengthens its dedication to empathetic actions and community support by awarding monetary prizes to those who deserve them.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. Syndigate.info ).
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