MTN Ghana has doubled the top prize for its Heroes of Change initiative from GH¢200,000 to GH¢400,000 during the launch of nominations for the eighth season of the programme to recognise individuals making significant contributions in their communities.
The telecommunications company has also increased the prize for category winners from GH¢60,000 to GH¢200,000, while each finalist will now receive GH¢100,000 instead of GH¢25,000.
The launch, held in Accra last Tuesday, formed part of activities marking MTN Ghana's 30th anniversary celebrations and Sustainability Month.
The event brought together officials of MTN Ghana, past Heroes of Change winners and finalists, development partners, representatives of civil society organisations, media practitioners and other guests.
Nominations opened immediately after the launch and will close later this year.
Up to 30 nominees will be shortlisted and screened by judges in September, after which 10 finalists will compete in the television series from December this year to March next year, climaxing with the awards ceremony.
Recognition
The Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer of MTN Ghana, Adwoa Wiafe, who launched the season, said the increased prize package was intended not as payment for work already done but as an investment in the beneficiaries' future impact.
Mrs Wiafe said many individuals quietly transformed lives without seeking recognition, adding that Heroes of Change existed to bring such people to national attention.
She encouraged the public to nominate deserving individuals in their communities, saying many of them were making significant contributions despite limited resources.
"Progress in this country has never belonged to institutions alone. It has been carried by ordinary people doing extraordinary things," she said.
She explained that special awards would also be presented for sustainability, digital innovation and to individuals who nominated the eventual finalists.
The acting General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Ghana, Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, urged the public to appreciate the fact that lasting change often began with small acts of kindness and commitment.
She said the initiative had, over the years, uncovered teachers, volunteers, caregivers and community leaders whose actions had improved lives and strengthened their communities.
Ms Fiagbenu said this year's Heroes of Change aligned with the company's Sustainability Month theme: "Small Actions, Big Impact".
Impact
For her part, the Season Seven overall winner and Founder of the Ark Foundation Ghana, Dr Angela Dwamena-Aboagye, said the support received through Heroes of Change had enabled her organisation to renovate its transit shelter for abused women and children.
She said the improved facility had strengthened the foundation's ability to support survivors of domestic violence, sexual abuse and human trafficking.
Dr Dwamena-Aboagye expressed gratitude to MTN Ghana, describing the award as transformational for the organisation's work.
As part of the event, she led the finalists of Season Seven to present a citation to MTN Ghana in appreciation of the company's support for their various community projects.
Heroes of Change is MTN Ghana Foundation's flagship corporate social responsibility initiative that recognises and supports individuals who are making outstanding contributions to their communities in areas such as health, education and economic empowerment.
Through the programme, selected finalists receive funding and national recognition to expand the impact of their community projects.
