MTN Ghana has partnered with MobileMoney Ltd and Access Bank Ghana PLC to offer device financing for MTN customers. This new service, called “MTN Pick and Pay Later,” allows customers to select a smartphone, make an initial payment, and pay off the remaining balance in instalments over either 4 or 6 months through MoMo. The smartphone options available to customers will be determined by their creditworthiness, which is assessed through a credit scoring engine on the MTN network. To access this service, customers can dial *170#, select Financial Services, and then choose “Device Pick and Pay Later” under the Loans section. Mr. Noel Kojo-Ganson, the Chief Commercial Officer for MTN, emphasized the company’s belief that everyone deserves the benefit of a modern, connected life, including having a good smartphone for high-speed internet services. He noted that this initiative is intended to help customers who want smartphones but may have limited cash for upfront purchases. The collaboration with MobileMoney Ltd and Access Bank is important for reducing communication costs. As part of this collaboration, Access Bank will offer financing options for customers to purchase smartphones that enable access to digital banking services, ensuring they can stay connected online. This partnership aligns with the bank’s goal of promoting financial inclusion and supporting a cash-light economy, making it easier for customers to afford smartphones and access digital services. Matilda Asante-Asiedu, Group Head of Retail Banking at Access Bank Ghana, highlighted the importance of this initiative: “Only 13% of the eligible population have access to borrowing leaving a substantial gap for those who qualify but do not have access to finance.” She added, “This partnership reflects Access Bank’s vision of providing innovative solutions to the markets we serve, empowering individuals to support their lifestyles in a world that is rapidly becoming more digital, all through the convenience of a mobile phone.” The “Pick and Pay Later” service is supported by other partners, including Hollard Insurance, PaySwitch, and Atlantic Phones, all of which provide various services to enhance customer experience. With a wide range of smartphone options available, from entry-level to mid-tier 4G phones, the MTN “Pick and Pay Later” service aims to meet customers’ needs and support their ability to transact anytime and anywhere. By financing these devices, MTN Ghana, Access Bank, and their partners are dedicated to reaching the unbanked population and promoting the adoption of digital financial solutions. Customers can find more details about the service by visiting www.mtnghnana.com and www.ghana.accessbankplc.com sending an email to customercare.gh@mtn.com or by accessing ‘Device Pick and Pay Later’ under the loan menu using the MTN short code *170#. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

MTN Ghana, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), and the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, has announced a series of initiatives to mark the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). This global campaign takes place from November 25th to December 10th, 2024, with the aim of raising awareness and taking action to eliminate all forms of gender-based violence. Within this period, the organisations are focusing on increasing awareness about GBV, providing resources and support, promoting gender equality and amplifying messages on the implication of GBV on victims. The partners are utilizing the extensive transport system to educate the public on the causes, consequences, and prevention of GBV. In her Keynote address, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Dakoa Newman, emphasized the need to tackle gender-based violence stating that 27.7% of Ghanaian women experienced domestic violence, while 38.2% of adolescent girls have suffered sexual violence. These figures, she said, calls for urgent collective action to end gender-based violence in Ghana. Speaking at the launch of the campaign, the UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Charles Abani said, “this is an initiative that seeks to harness the power and reach of Ghana’s public transport network to create awareness and foster action against GBV. Public transport in Ghana plays a vital role in the daily lives of millions of citizens. It is a space where people come together, regardless of their background, to travel for work, school, social activities, and more. This makes it a prime opportunity for dialogue and education on critical social issues such as GBV”. Speaking on the campaign, Robert Kuzoe, Senior Manager for MTN Ghana Foundation, emphasized the company’s commitment to collaborating with partners to end GBV. He stated, “Gender-based violence is not inevitable; it is preventable. We have a responsibility to create a world where everyone, regardless of gender, can live                                                                                     free from fear and violence. Ending GBV is not just about protecting victims; it is about promoting human rights, equality, and a future where everyone can thrive.” Dravid Wilfred Ochan, UNFPA Country Representative, called on Ghanaians to share their stories, experiences, and ideas for creating a safer and GBV-free transport sector. He called for more action from policymakers, transport operators, and community leaders against GBV. “I invite everyone of you to join us in this vital mission to raise awareness and mobilize action against GBV by using the hashtag – #JoinTheBusStopTheViolence. Let us share our stories, experiences, and ideas for creating a safer and GBV-free transport sector.” He emphasized. The General Secretary of GPRTU, Mr. Godfred Abugiri in his welcome address expressed his excitement about the partnership and stated the GPRTU’s commitment to helping fight Gender Based Violence in Ghana. UNFPA, MTN Ghana and GPRTU acknowledge that gender-based violence undermines the fundamental rights and dignity of individuals, and they remain dedicated to creating a society where everyone can live free from violence, fear, and discrimination. This initiative highlights MTN’s commitment to promoting safety, equality, and respect for all members of the community. Through this campaign, the three organizations aim to inspire collective action, empowering individuals, communities, and organizations to challenge harmful norms, report incidents of abuse, and support survivors. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

The MTN Ghana Foundation is excited to announce the successful onboarding of 150 beneficiaries for the second edition of its MTN Enterprise Support Program. These beneficiaries were selected through a rigorous process that included pitch competitions and interviews conducted in Central, Eastern, Volta, and Greater Accra regions of Ghana. The MTN Foundation’s Enterprise Support Program is a transformative initiative aimed at empowering Ghanaian entrepreneurs. This year, the program has supported 39 differently abled individuals, 61 women, and 50 young people, all of whom run small businesses. Beneficiaries received a package that included comprehensive business training and seed capital ranging from GHC 10,000 to GHC 20,000. Participants will also receive training in bookkeeping, costing, and pricing, branding, sales and marketing, financial literacy, digital marketing, and customer service, all tailored to meet their specific needs. This program is part of the MTN Ghana Foundation’s commitment to fostering the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which play a vital role in driving Ghana’s economy. It specifically targets youth, women, and differently abled persons who are entrepreneurs as part of its diversity and inclusion program. During the onboarding ceremony for beneficiaries in the Eastern Region, Adwoa Afriyie Wiafe, the Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer of MTN Ghana, stated, “Today, we are here to continue our efforts to promote inclusive and sustainable growth for entrepreneurs through the MTN SME Support Program. This initiative, led by the MTN Ghana Foundation, aims to contribute to ongoing efforts to bring the nation closer to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 9, which focuses on Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.” The selected beneficiaries expressed gratitude to MTN for believing in them and providing capital for their businesses. They committed to utilizing the funds wisely to expand their ventures. Lawrence Inkoom, a sandal maker, shared his experience: “I was struggling to find support to invest in my business, but help was not forthcoming. With the support of the MTN Ghana Foundation, I can now produce more sandals for the market.”  Christine Dekator, a differently abled beneficiary from the Volta region expressed her gratitude to MTN Ghana Foundation for support. She said “the funds will help expand her cassava farm and gari processing business”.  Memuna Ahmed, a Palm oil processor from the Eastern region, was so excited to receive this support from MTN Ghana Foundation. She said “This support will relieve me of most of the challenges I am currently facing in my business”. The MTN Ghana Foundation launched the Enterprise Support Program as part of a commitment made during MTN Ghana’s 25th-anniversary celebrations to boost the sector. The program aims to support approximately 500 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), consisting of youth, women, and differently abled entrepreneurs over  a period of five years. By providing these SMEs with the necessary tools, resources, and mentorship, the initiative seeks to create a more vibrant and resilient business landscape. Following the launch of this initiative in partnership with Innohub in 2023, a total of 140 businesses were selected from the Greater Accra, Ashanti, and Western regions. Source: Apexnewsgh.com