MTN Ghana Foundation has launched the fourth season of one of its flagship projects, MTN Heroes of Change. The initiative identifies and honours people who through personal sacrifice brighten lives in their communities in extraordinary and impactful ways.
The Foundation believes that honouring people who make personal sacrifices for the good of their community would motivate and encourage others to do same.
Speaking at the Human Resource Executive of MTN Ghana, Mrs. Amma Benneh-Amponsah, said: “We take this opportunity to once again congratulate all past MTN Heroes of Change winners for their good work. As we embark on the Heroes of Change journey once again, we are confident that Season IV will build on the successes of previous seasons.”
She added that the ultimate winner will receive a cash price of GHC100, 000, and category winners would be awarded with GHC30, 000 each to be invested in their projects for wider impact, while the rest of the six heroes will each be given GHC10, 000 to support their projects.
Winner of the season III edition, Genevieve Basigha, expressed her profound gratitude to MTN Foundation for supporting her build a six classroom block for speech and hearing impaired children. She was also grateful that benevolent individuals and groups have reached out to her through donations as a result of MTN Heroes of Change programme.
The general public is being encouraged to spot and nominate people who are doing exceptional social work for Heroes of Change Season IV. The nominations are opened from 20th September to 8th November 2017. Shortlisted projects would be further pruned to 100 and thereafter to 40 and finally to 10. The stories of the top 10 finalists will be filmed and featured in a 13-week television show after which a grand finale will be held to announce the winners.
This year’s season will see the addition of a special category which will reward two personalities for their contribution to their society through their efforts/work. The special categories will include journalists, radio and television presenters, musicians, actors and sports personalities. The winners in this category will each receive a plaque, a certificate and monetary award which will be invested in any CSR project of their choice.
MTN Heroes of Change was first launched in July 2013 with the aim of identifying and recognizing selfless people who continue to sacrifice their time and resources to improve their communities and brighten lives. Dr. Abrokwa-Yenkyera, a plastic surgeon and Founder of Grafts Foundation, emerged the ultimate winner for the maiden edition of MTN Heroes of Change in 2014. Madam Paulina Opei, founder of the Save Our Lives Orphanage, emerged the Hero of Change for Season II whilst Madam Genevieve Basigha won the ultimate Hero of Change for Season III.
The final selection of winners of the MTN heroes of Change is done by an independent panel of judges with diverse experience and expertise.
Since its inception, MTN Heroes of Change has won several awards. The project was adjudged 2016 IPR Best Community Relations Programme of the Year and was also awarded CSR Program of the Year 2015 by the Head of State Awards (HoSA) Scheme.
