MTN Ghana's Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, Adwoa Wiafe, commissioned a mobile ICT van, known as the Digivan, to promote digital inclusion in the country. The van is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to train young people in digital skills, including cloud computing, web design, and mobile phone repairs.
The Digivan is part of MTN's Yellow Care campaign, aimed at connecting with underserved communities and providing them with access to digital skills training. According to Madam Wiafe, the van would travel to remote areas, staying for a while to train school children and other young people, before moving on to the next location. This initiative was designed to bridge the digital divide and ensure that no one was left behind in Ghana's digital journey.
MTN Ghana highlighted the company's impactful initiatives during the21 Days of Y’ello, including empowering over 500 women artisans with modern pottery techniques and digital business skills in Togomein the Volta Region. The company also trained young people in mobile phone repair in the Central, Western, and Ashanti regions, equipping them with skills for independence and a good quality of life.
Additionally, MTN Ghana partnered with Opportunity Industrial Training Institute (OITI) and Uni-Jay Limited to distribute 500 school uniforms to children in underserved communities, providing more than just clothing, but a symbol of pride, identity, and visibility. Josephine Hutchison, representing OITI, expressed heartfelt gratitude to MTN for their generous and impactful support, noting that the partnership had enabled OITI to showcase its students' capabilities and provide them with opportunities to market their talents.
The partnership has also resulted in the donation of three smart TVs to OITI, which would enhance teaching and learning, and the development of a website for the institution, giving it an essential digital presence and greater visibility. Madam Hutchison emphasized that the collaboration had made a significant difference in the lives of OITI students, enriched their educational experience and opened doors to new possibilities.
Florence Tofa, CEO of Mobile Web Ghana, a partner in the initiative, emphasized the importance of empowering young people with digital skills to participate in the digital economy. She highlighted the impact of the training program in Dominasi, where participants were empowered with skills in mobile phone repair and content creation. She noted that the program had enabled young people to become creators and active participants in the digital economy, rather than just consumers.
As part of the celebration, MTN Ghana awarded certificates to trainees in Digital Content Creation and Mobile Phone Repairs. The company also recognized its partners on the Yellow Care project, including Med Pharma, OITI, Mobile Web Ghana, Mandelo Ghana, and Pels Farm Foundation, for their contributions to the initiative.
The commissioning of the Digivan marks a significant milestone in MTN's efforts to promote digital inclusion and support the development of Ghana's digital landscape.