The Makola Market in Accra was filled with excitement and celebration as Reverend Samuel Yaw Essel, a 52-year-old former banker turned pastor, emerged winner of the grand prize of GH₵1.2 million in the Telecel 2Moorch Money Promo.
The Kumasi-based Pastor beat millions of participants nationwide to claim the top prize in the final draw of the four-month promotion, which rewarded loyal Telecel customers across Ghana. The grand draw was supervised by the National Lottery Authority (NLA) under its Caritas platform to ensure transparency and fairness.
Reverend Essel described his win as an act of divine providence. “Two weeks before the call came, I had a dream. I saw my late father holding a bag full of money. He said he came to give it to me. When I woke up, I prayed and wrote it in my diary. I didn’t know how God would do it, but He did,” he recounted.
Initially, he thought the call from Telecel was a scam. “I have fallen victim to scammers before so when Telecel called, I was skeptical. I only believed it when I confirmed the number from their website. That was when I knew it was real and I just shouted, ‘God has done it,’” he said.
After more than 20 years in the banking sector, having worked with the defunct First Allied Savings and Loans and Okomfo Anokye Rural Bank, Rev. Essel resigned in 2022 to pursue full-time ministry. He now pastors at the Great Commission Church International in Kumasi and operates a small microcredit business.
“I entered a covenant with God. I was struggling to complete a building project, and I told Him if He helped me, I would give back to His work. This prize is an answered prayer and proof that God listens,” he said, adding that he plans to use the money to complete his home, expand his business, invest in his children’s education, and fulfill his tithe pledge.
Over the past four months, Telecel Ghana rewarded over 14,000 customers with a total of GH₵4.5 million in cash prizes. Daily winners received GH₵100 each, while weekly winners took home up to GH₵20,000, all credited directly to their Telecel Cash wallets.
Aneth Muga, Director of Consumer Business at Telecel Ghana, described the campaign as a celebration of loyalty and opportunity. “This campaign is a celebration of customer loyalty, trust and the Ghanaian spirit. The Telecel 2Moorch Money promo has shown that opportunity can reach everyone, everywhere. Beyond rewarding customers, we will continue to invest in better connectivity, innovation, and inclusive experiences that make every Ghanaian feel part of the Telecel story,” she said.
Marketing Officer at the National Lottery Authority, Bright Ofori, commended Telecel Ghana for maintaining integrity throughout the campaign. “From the first draw to the grand draw, Telecel Ghana has ensured that each single one was fair, open and done under our oversight responsibility,” he stated.
Last year, the telecom company awarded a nursing student, Ellen Oparebea Akoi, GH₵1 million in the More Money Promo. By increasing the top prize to GH₵1.2 million this year, Telecel reaffirmed its commitment to rewarding everyday Ghanaians in meaningful ways.
Holding his ceremonial cheque as Makola traders cheered, Reverend Essel said, “I never dreamt of this day. I am just grateful to God and to Telecel. I don’t know anybody at Telecel and have no contact with anyone. Telecel is a genuine business, so every Ghanaian should show interest in their products and every promo they launch now or in the future.”