MTN commends 30 shortlisted community heroes

By Justice Dzido On May 10, 2019

Four months after the launch of MTN Heroes of Change Season 5, judges continue to prune down the shortlisted projects. Out of 1,200 projects, the judges pruned down the number to top 30.

Following this, a team was dispatched into the communities to authenticate and verify the stories of the people and their projects. Following the verifications process, a report will be presented for further review of the projects and the top 10 selected by an independent panel of judges who have diverse experience and expertise in academia, communications and economics.

The top 10 projects will be filmed and featured in a 13 week television series which seeks to highlight the activities of the heroes to the public. At the end of the television programme, an event will be held to announce the ultimate hero and category winners. The ultimate winner will be presented with a cash prize of GH¢100, 000 whilst the three category winners will be awarded GH¢30,000 each to be invested in their projects for wider impact. MTN Ghana Foundation will also present Special Awards to selected media personnel and young heroes who are also driving change in their respective areas.

Commenting on the entries, the Corporate Services Executive of MTN Ghana, Mr. Samuel Koranteng, said, “We are happy to be getting closer to selecting the finalists for the TV series. We look forward to showcasing the work of unsung heroes who have dedicated their lives and resources to the service of their communities.”

MTN Heroes of Change Season 5 was launched in November 2018 and submission of entries ended on 25^th January 2019. Since the inception of MTN Heroes of Change in July 2013, a total of forty people have been identified and recognized on MTN Heroes of Change platform for committing their personal resources to improve their communities and brightening lives. Four out of the total number emerged ultimate winners. They are Dr. Abrokwa-Yenkyera, a plastic surgeon and founder of Grafts Foundation, Madam Paulina Opei, founder of Save our Lives Orphanage, Genevieve Basigha founder of Research Utilization School for the Deaf and Naomi Esi Amoah of Blessed Home Orphanage

MTN Heroes of Change has won several awards. The awards include the 2016 IPR Best Community Relations Programme of the Year and the CSR Program of the Year 2015 by the Head of State Awards (HoSA) Scheme.