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A year after receiving training and assistance with company startup from the MTN Ghana Foundation and Plan Ghana International, the lives of program participants have been completely changed.
In order to give out-of-school youth job opportunities, the MTN Ghana Foundation contributed GHc445,000 a year ago to help educate 100 young women and men in the Eastern Region’s Nsawam and Suhum districts in mobile phone repair skills.
They received training in mobile phone technology, fundamental customer service, front-end maintenance, and the diagnosis and correction of mobile phone issues.
They were provided a branded kiosk and resources to aid in their start-up.
When MTN visited the beneficiaries to learn about their work, some of the recipients had the following to say:
Before the program, Diana Ohene Ansah claimed she was at home by herself, but now she has a job that provides a reliable source of money.
“Thanks to MTN, I’m not at the mercy of men looking to take advantage of needy and vulnerable women. Before the program, I used to ask my parents for money but now, I’m able to support my family and even save some money. This initiative has been so helpful, and I urge MTN to continue to help others especially the underprivileged”.
A trader who took advantage of the project, Rosemary Mensah said she is able to take care of her younger siblings who are in school. “Things were very difficult for me and my family because I used to make money only on market days but with this business, I have another stream of income which helps me take care of myself and my family”, Rosemary said.
Luis Boateng, who is now a trainer with 11 trainees learning from him expressed his appreciation to MTN Ghana Foundation and Plan Ghana International for the life changing encounter. “Things are going so well with the business; I have people working for me and I’m looking at expanding to other locations.”
Derrick Awatey, a beneficiary in Suhum, said through this intervention, he has been able to move out of his mother’s house to rent a place for himself. “I can now afford my daily bread. I’m living a comfortable life and I’m able to save some money and it’s all thanks to MTN. I want to say a big thank you to MTN Ghana and Plan Ghana International”, he said.
The Economic Empowerment Advisor for the MTN Ghana Foundation, Cynthia Mills, commented on the project and said that the MTN Foundation is pleased and amazed with how much the programme has improved the lives of the recipients.
“It’s great to see these young ladies and gentlemen successful in their brand-new businesses.
Some of them have trained people who have started their own businesses while others have apprentices.
Other services, such as Mobile Money and the sale of accessories in addition to phone repairs, have also been offered by some, the speaker said.
According to Cynthia Mills, there are continuing discussions about expanding the programme to help young people in other areas and providing training in tablet and laptop repair.
Since its founding in 2007, the MTN Ghana Foundation has carried out over 154 significant initiatives totaling $15 million in the fields of health, education, and economic empowerment.
Over 4 million individuals are thought to have been impacted by these programs.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
