Group photograph of MTN Ghana officials, partner and beneficiaries. INSET: Adwoa Afriyie Wiafe addressing beneficiaries in Accra
MTN Foundation, the charitable arm of MTN Ghana has shortlisted some 140 Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs) to benefit from its Enterprise Support Programme.
The participants of the first cohort, including the youth, women and persons with disabilities are expected to benefit from activities geared towards boosting entrepreneurship and driving innovation.
The initiative, launched in partnership with Innohub Foundation, shortlisted beneficiaries from three regions including Greater Accra with 31 youth, 17 women and 20 persons with disabilities to partake in the initiative.
Also, the jury selected 12 youth, 19 women and 14 persons with disabilities in the Western region whilst the Ashanti Region had 7 youth, 3 women and 17 persons with disabilities selected.
Addressing beneficiaries in Accra, Chief Cooperate Service and Sustainability, MTN Ghana, Adwoa Afriyie Wiafe, said the enterprise support programme is part of MTN’s legacy projects aimed at accelerating socio-economic growth through economic empowerment initiatives.
“The 140 beneficiaries will undergo training programmes on business management, the use of digital mediums for business development, and customer care strategies of which they will receive GH¢10,000 each to support their businesses,” she said.
She indicated that as part of the telecommunications empowerment agenda, it has targeted some 500 businesses to benefit from its enterprise support programme for 5 years.
“As part of MTN share value, we ensure to support our stakeholders or community around us by exposing these businesses to how they can maximize their customer outreach with their products.
Adwoa Afriyie Wiafe further indicated that following the call to entry, the jury received 950 applications from promising businesses but was subsequently shortlisted to 140 businesses.
He added that out of the 140 selected beneficiaries, 68 will undergo the first set of entrepreneurial training to equip them to upscale their businesses, while the other set subsequently follows.
Senior Manager for Sustainability and Social Impact of MTN Ghana Foundation, Robert Kuzoe, urged beneficiaries to be dedicated as MTN implements strategies to help enhance their businesses to create the needed opportunities for other individuals.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke with the media expressed appreciation to the MTN Ghana Foundation for its entrepreneurship initiatives to support their businesses. They also pledged to live up to expectations.
Picture Saved At New Daily As Enterprise Initiatives
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke