Two runners-up, Ernestina Edem Appiah and Herman Heinrich Hesse were also awarded GHS30,000 each for their digital solutions. Ernestina leads on an initiative that helps children to code while Herman runs a development programme that improves children’s vocabulary.

Together all the three winners are the 2016 Tigo Digital Changemakers. They also received a place in the Reach for Change incubator programme and will get up to 5 years’ professional support to help them build sustainable social enterprises. The incubator includes mentorship, coaching, trainings and access to a global network of social entrepreneurs.  

“We are thrilled with the selection from this competition: all three have exceptional social innovations and we look forward to working with them to help them develop and scale their projects, said Solomon Twum, the Regional Portfolio Manager with Reach for Change Africa. “These social entrepreneurs have very strong potential to be financially sustainable with ventures expected to create social change for years to come.”

“Technology is increasingly becoming more central to social inclusion and Tigo is excited that through our Digital Inclusion agenda and in partnership with Reach for Change, we are supporting digital entrepreneurs to ensure the development and wellbeing of children. The impact of this programme cannot be over emphasised as our previous Changemaker winners have and continue to work in very deprived and remote communities across Ghana,” said Gifty Bingley, the Director for Corporate Affairs at Tigo Ghana.

Two additional finalists also received GHS5,000 grants to help them complete the development of their digital applications. Elijah Amoo Addo’s app will work to reduce food waste and solve nutritional deficiencies among vulnerable children while Edem Isaiah Akpan is working on a digital application that will promote hygiene among children.
Since 2011, Tigo and Reach for Change have awarded 20 social entrepreneurs with both financial and professional support grant funding and support through the intensive Reach for Change incubator programme. They have also supported dozens more through accelerators designed to help transform ideas into investment-ready initiatives.  
                                                   

About Tigo
Tigo started operations in Ghana in 1992 as the first Mobile Network Operator. It is part of Millicom International Cellular (MIC) which provides mobile, voice, data, cable television, broadband and financial services to over 50 million customers in 13 emerging markets in Africa and Latin America. In Ghana it was first launched under the brand name, Mobitel and in 2002 it was rebranded to Buzz. This later changed to Tigo in 2006 to reflect the standard brand name within the Millicom Group.

With a current subscriber base of over 5 million subscribers, Tigo is a dynamic and highly visible brand actively driving digital and financial inclusion. Tigo Cash, the Mobile Financial Service was launched in 2011 and highly patronised by the informal sector and rural Ghana. Tigo Cash is renowned for its quick, safe and convenient services.
For more information, visit www.tigo.com.gh

About Reach for Change
Reach for Change Africa is a non-profit organization that invests in innovative, early-stage social entrepreneurs who are addressing problems faced by children, youth and women in seven countries across the continent; Ghana, Senegal, Chad, Ethiopia, DR Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania. Reach for Change runs innovation competitions and provides Accelerator and Incubator programs to exceptional social entrepreneurs who are supported to scale their innovations through funding, access to technical and organizational management expertise, and networking opportunities. Reach for Change Africa is a part of the global organization Reach for Change which operates in 17 countries worldwide.

Connect with us
Website: ghana.reachforchange.org
Facebook: R4CGhana
Twitter: @R4C_Ghana