MTN marks International Day of Rural Women with farmers

MTN Ghana Foundation, in collaboration with Holland Greentech Ghana, marked this year’s International Day of Rural Women (IDRW) with some female farmers in the Greater Accra Region.

Celebrated on 15th October every year, the IDRW aims to acknowledge the critical role and contribution of rural women including- Indigenous women, in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security, and eradicating rural poverty.

Additionally, it is to congratulate the rural female farmers for their hard work and to introduce to them some modern technologies used in farming.

Mrs Adwoa Afriyie Wiafe, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Office, MTN Ghana Foundation, in an interview with media at the event said, the drive formed part of the telecom giant’s commitments towards empowering women in agriculture through technology.

According to her, it was crucial to support women in farming- as the country depended on small holder farmers. “Planting foodstuff in your backyard will help reduce the cost of food buying in homes,” she added.

While accentuating the importance of agribusiness, Mrs Wiafe urged women, particularly the youth in agriculture to leverage modern technology in order to boost production. Additionally, she encouraged all to add farming to their day-to- day activities to ensure food security.

Mr. Charles Agyeman, General Manager of Defarmercist Limited, emphasized the need to use modern technologies in farming, explaining that the new irrigation systems allow farmers to water and fertilize their plants effortlessly. “Women in farming were taken through modern farming technologies, proper ways of applying fertilizers and usage of chemicals to improve their yields,” he added.

Mrs. Ami Christell Gle, a farmer who benefited from past projects, underscored the importance of modern farming systems, such as- the innovative drip irrigation system and how it had helped her grow her yields. She called on all women in farming to adopt and use these new methods and technologies in farming to reduce costs.

Beneficiaries of the project expressed profound gratitude to MTN Ghana Foundation for the initiative. This year’s participants are expected to share the knowledge with other farmers in their respective communities.

Source: Buertey Francis BORYOR (B & FT online)

Ghana Launches Girls-in-ICT Training for Ashanti Region, Empowering Future Female Tech Leaders

The Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation (MoCD), in collaboration with the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (GI-KACE) and the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), has started the first batch of the Girls-in-ICT, Training of Girls (ToG) programme for the Ashanti Region.

This training, running from 28th October to 1st November 2024, aims to equip young girls with essential ICT skills across various centers in 18 districts.

This initiative seeks to inspire young girls to pursue careers in ICT and develop a strong interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The training modules include Scratch, Computer Programming, E-safety, Game Development, Website Development, Animation, and Coding, among others.

The districts participating in the first batch include Offinso North, Offinso South, Ahafo Ano North, Ahafo Ano South West, Ahafo Ano South East, Adansi South, Adansi North, Adansi Asokwa, Bosome Freho, Asante Akyem South, Asante Akyem Central, Asante Akyem North, Amansie West, Amansie South, Amansie Central, Adansi Akrofrom, Obuasi East, and Obuasi Municipal.

During the opening session at Jacobu Senior High School, the District Coordinating Officer, Mr. Anthony Brako, welcomed the initiative and commended the Ministry and its partners for extending the programme to benefit the districts.

He congratulated the selected girls and encouraged them to make the most of the five-day programme to unlock new opportunities in ICT.

Mr. Brako indicated that the training provides a valuable platform for girls to acquire digital skills and bridge the gap between technology and social development, thereby fostering economic empowerment.

Source: Aayushya Ranjan( TechAfricaNews)

MTN CEO elected to GSMA board

MTN Group has announced the election of its President and Chief Executive Officer, Ralph Mupita, to the GSM Association Board of Directors for the 2025-2026 term.

The operator said in a statement obtained on Friday that the appointment highlighted MTN’s dedication to enhancing connectivity across Africa and advancing the continent’s economic, social, and digital transformation goals.

As an advocate for leveraging technology to drive economic growth and inclusion, telcos stated that Ralph’s focus on the board would be on driving the African agenda.

The focus, the firm said, included the G6 commitments of closing the usage and coverage gaps, increasing investments, and securing a climate-smart future.

The company noted that his participation on the board would be instrumental in harnessing the potential of mobile technology to support sustainable development and economic growth.

“I am honored to join the GSMA board at a time of rapid developments in technology and increasing digital adoption across Africa,” Mupita stated.

He emphasised, “Mobile technology will play a critical role in addressing the pressing challenges facing our communities and unlocking the full potential of Africa, ensuring that no one is left behind in this journey toward a more connected future.”

The GSMA is a non-profit industry organization representing the interests of mobile network operators worldwide.

Source: Justice Okamgba (Punch NG)

MTN Ghana Shares Insights on Protecting Digital Identity

Bernard Acquah, Chief Investment Officer at MTN Ghana, has emphasized the importance of cybersecurity awareness in today’s digital age. Mr Acquah highlighted the need for individuals to adopt a “living with security” mindset to protect their digital identity. He said this during an MTN Ghana’s Bright Conversation on Cybersecurity Awareness at the MTN House in Accra.

“Living with security means being security conscious in all aspects of life, just like locking doors and windows at home,” Mr Acquah explained. He stressed that this mindset should extend to cybersecurity, where individuals must guard their personal information and be cautious of potential threats.

Mr Acquah identified common risks in failing to practice cybersecurity hygiene as WhatsApp hacks, mobile phone vulnerabilities, and identity theft. He advised individuals to enable two-factor authentication, use stronger passwords and regularly change them (every 3 months), and regularly update their operating systems to stay protected.

He urged Ghanaians to be cautious with personal information online, especially on social media, use reputable antivirus software and enable auto-updates, regularly review and adjust privacy settings, update operating systems to ensure security patches and efficiency, and utilize products like MTN’s Midnight Bundles to update devices without excessive data usage.

Protection Against Phishing:

Mr Acquah also warned institutions and businesses about phishing scams, where attackers send links or emails that appear legitimate but aim to steal personal information. To protect themselves, he advised them to be cautious of emails or messages that seem too good to be true, verify sender addresses by hovering over links or checking email addresses and avoid rushing into actions prompted by urgent or enticing messages.

He also noted that parents were responsible for building a culture of cybersecurity at home.

“Parents should model good cyber behavior, educate children on online safety, privacy, and cyber bullying, use platforms that offer content control and monitoring tools, and teach children to be mindful of online activities and information sharing,” Mr Acquah added.

Source: Business Ghana

MTN Ghana holds Executive Business Breakfast

MTN Ghana has held one of its business series, the MTN Executive Business Breakfast, at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra.

The event, held under the theme, “Bridging The Skills Gap, ” was aimed at strengthening MTN’s partnerships with businessmen and women.

The event was used to discuss possible ways to find solutions to the skills gap that threatens Ghana’s global competitiveness.

It brought together industry leaders, members of academia, government officials and young business executives to discuss critical issues of workforce development in Ghana, particularly in the tech industry.

This edition featured top business personalities such as the Acting Chief Human Resources Officer of the MTN, Mr Abdellah Ibrahim, Managing Director of Unilever Ghana, Chris Wulff-Caesar and the Executive Director of the Centre for Leadership at Ashesi University, Dr Esi Ansah as panelists.

The panelists discussed the critical role of small and medium-sized enterprises in driving economic growth.

Source: David Andoh ( My JoyOnline)

Telecel Foundation supports STEM education in Central Region

Telecel Ghana Foundation has made an educational investment in the future of young pupils in three communities in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District of Central Region – Ansafona, Patoako and Kwaman.

The philanthropic arm of the telecommunications giant Telecel Ghana donated ten desktop computers and eight cutting-edge coding and robotics kits to strengthen Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in the primary and junior high schools in the beneficiary communities.

Collaborating with local NGO, Enos Promise Foundation and STEM kit manufacturer, Mingo Blox for the initiative, Telecel Ghana Foundation said the gesture forms part of their commitment to support schools in under-served communities with educational resources to bridge the digital divide and inspire the local youth to embrace technology at a younger stage.

Speaking at the community ceremony to hand over the tech equipment to the schools, Head of Foundation, Sustainability and External Communications at Telecel Ghana, Rita Agyeiwaa Rockson, said: “We believe in the power of technology and education to transform lives and communities.

With these learning equipment, we are equipping young students with the tools they need to thrive in a technology-driven world and bolster their creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities”.

The durbar was graced by the presence of the queen mother, chiefs from the beneficiary communities, the District Director of Education and National President of the Ghana National Association of Teachers among other dignitaries.

Receiving the STEM kits on behalf of the communities, Obaahemaa Nana Sasah II, in her address, thanked Telecel Ghana Foundation for not forgetting the young pupils in her communities and highlighted the potential of technology to transform their lives.

“This donation is a beacon of hope for our youth and shows that no child should be left behind in education, regardless of their socio-economic background. With these tools, they can acquire the STEM skills needed to compete on a global stage and contribute to the development of our communities, if they embrace and explore these devices to the best of their abilities,” she said.

The donated equipment will increase the number of desktops in the schools’ computer labs and help establish STEM clubs for coding and robotics in the communities.

Former Board Chair of Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited (GTCL) and chairman for the ceremony, Dr. Kobina Quansah, in his closing remarks, said the computers and STEM kits will plant seeds in the children for a future filled with innovation. “For too long, access to quality education has been unequal; and this initiative changes the narrative by ensuring that students in rural areas have the same tools as their urban counterparts. If other organisations can follow suit, we can create a ripple-effect of change across Ghana and bridge the digital divide.”

The students assembled and controlled some of the robots and displayed artistic and cultural talent on several themes, including technology, truancy and teenage pregnancy during the ceremony.

Source: bft.online

Over 3,000 students and worshippers in Accra educated on misinformation & disinformation

IMG-20241025-WA0002

Leadership and members of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, the EMIs Chamber of Ghana, and the Cyber Security Authority, have reiterated the need for the general public to be careful in how they receive, interact with and disseminate information both online and offline. The advice was given during separate educational engagements in Accra on Friday October 25, 2024.

The first stop of the engagement, which was part of the 2024 National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) under the theme “Combating Misinformation/Disinformation in a Digitally Resilient Democracy; Our Collective Responsibility”, was at the Labone Senior High School in Accra. During the hour-long engagement, experts from the telecommunications industry educated about 3,000 students and teachers, on the dangers of misinformation/disinformation and provided tools to help them identify and counter misinformation, while protecting themselves, their loved ones and their properties.

The various presenters (including Regine Bambara, Gillian Boateng, Samuel Bartels  and Angela Adu-Ampofo) who took time to highlight the differences between misinformation and disinformation, also stressed on the need for the students to not just be careful of how they interact with and share information they encounter, but to also protect their personal information from unscrupulous sources.

In addition to the importance of verifying sources, the speakers also touched on fact-checking information, and critically evaluating the credibility of news sources before sharing or believing them. The students were also taught how to spot common tactics used by purveyors of fake news, such as sensational headlines, clickbait, and misleading images.

During and after the engagement, students actively asked questions, which were addressed by representatives from the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, the EMIs Chamber of Ghana and the CSA.

Later in the day, the team extended the campaign to the National Mosque of Ghana, where they engaged hundreds of worshippers on the same issue of misinformation and disinformation along with their varied negative impact, as well as steps to combat the menace.

The speaker Mr. Ibrahim Musah who was joined by the CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications and the EMIs Chamber Ing.Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, representatives of members and representatives of the CSA, emphasized the importance of critically evaluating information before sharing, especially as the country approaches an election year.  Mr. Ibrahim further stressed on the need for the worshipers present and online, to play their part in limiting the spread of misinformation and disinformation, debunking same, and leaving a holy life to the benefit of all.

On his part Ing. Dr. Ashigbey thanked the leadership of the National Mosque of Ghana for the opportunity to educate and engage the worshippers. In his earlier interaction with the students at Labone SHS, Ing. Dr. Ashigbey stressed in the need for the students to prioritize their understanding and utilization of new technology.

NCSAM 2024

This year’s NCSAM themed “Combating Misinformation/Disinformation in a Digitally Resilient Democracy; Our Collective Responsibility” aims to spotlight the widespread issue of misinformation and disinformation, particularly their potential to undermine electoral integrity, peace, and security.

Organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Communication and Digitalisation, the month-long program is designed to foster collaboration and coordination among stakeholders, developing comprehensive strategies to curb the spread of false information online.

Telecel Ghana CEO Champions New York Leadership

Patricia-Obo-Nai

Chief Executive of Telecel Ghana, Ing. Patricia Obo-Nai, has called for an integration of purpose-driven strategies and sustainable practices in businesses to make more socio-economic impact.

Speaking during a panel at the 7th annual Leaders on Purpose CEO Summit in New York on the theme, ‘Shared Planet, Shared Future, Shared Purpose – Building Future-Fit Economies for Generations to Come,’ Ing. Obo-Nai advised business leaders to prioritise purpose and social impact in their operations.

“A purpose-driven culture is essential for organisational success. Viewing purpose as a waste of investment is a risk to business sustainability. We must invest in developing our host communities, up-skilling the people we work with, be interested in how we grow technological resources in our communities and how we engage local people in employment,” she said.

Highlighting the role of technology in sustainable development, she articulated the critical need for expanding connectivity infrastructure through collaboration to bridge the digital divide.

“Expanding infrastructure and making it future proof is critical. We believe participating in infrastructure sharing and co-investment programmes are some of the most effective ways to close the existing digital gap,” she said.

As Telecel seeks to lead Africa’s digital transformation, Ing. Obo-Nai said improving access to digital connectivity has a much broader impact.

“Our belief is that we can empower people to use digital products and services to better their lives and businesses. So, it’s not just about how we connect businesses or digitalise business processes, but how we empower people’s lives through digital solutions.”

Source: Daily Guide Network

Mattel expands its telecoms network with technical support from Huawei

Mattel Mauritania

Mauritanian mobile phone company Mattel announced last week the completion of a two-year telecom network expansion campaign. The initiative allows the telecom operator to improve its network coverage in a country that has a network coverage score of 43.3 out of 100, according to the Global Mobile Connectivity Index 2023 of the Global Association of Mobile Phone Operators (GSMA).

The project was carried out in two phases. The first, completed in November 2023, focused on strengthening the network in 266 sites. The second, finalized in September 2024, expanded the network to 217 additional sites, covering all regional capitals and districts in the country. In addition, Mattel strengthened the coverage of five major road axes in Mauritania.

“  Mattel has also actively contributed to the implementation of the national universal access strategy, by ensuring the operation of the network dedicated to covering the southern border area of ​​the country with telephone and Internet services, ranging from the Ndiago region to Ould Yengé  ,” the company added in a statement.

According to the GSMA, 96.7% of Mauritania’s 4.93 million inhabitants are covered by the 2G network. The 3G and 4G networks cover 72% and 12% of the Mauritanian population respectively. In terms of usage, Mauritania had 5.4 million subscribers for a penetration rate of 124% according to the latest available statistics from the Regulatory Authority (ARE). However, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) indicates that the rate of people owning a mobile phone in the country is 61.3%.

By expanding its network coverage, Mattel is positioning itself to capture a share of the Mauritanian population still deprived of telecom services. This potential clientele could strengthen its competitiveness in a market where Mauritel, a subsidiary of Maroc Telecom, dominated with a 52% market share as of September 30, 2023. Although current figures for Mattel and its other competitor, Chinguitel, are not available, the latest data from the Ministry of Digital Transformation and Administrative Reform dating from 2019 give them 21% and 27% market shares, respectively. Mauritel’s market share has remained stable since then.

Source: Agency EcoFin

MTN Group’s Ralph Mupita elected to the GSMA board

MTN Group CEO

MTN Group’s president and CEO, Ralph Mupita, has been elected to the GSMA board of directors for the 2025-2026 period.

The GSM Association is a non-profit industry organisation representing the interests of mobile network operators worldwide.

Africa’s largest telecom operator announced Mupita’s appointment today, saying it demonstrates MTN’s commitment to being an integral participant in connecting the continent while also furthering Africa’s economic, social, and digital transformation aspirations.

MTN Group offers voice, data, fintech, digital, enterprise, wholesale, and API services to 288 million people across 18 markets.

Regarding the appointment of its chief executive officer, MTN states: “As an advocate for leveraging technology to drive economic growth and inclusion, Ralph’s focus on the board will be on driving the African agenda, particularly in relation to the G6 commitments of closing the usage and coverage gaps; increasing investments; and securing a climate-smart future.”

It adds that his presence on the board will be instrumental in harnessing the potential of mobile technology to support sustainable development and economic growth.

Mupita comments: “I am honoured to join the GSMA board at a time of rapid developments in technology and increasing digital adoption across Africa

“Mobile technology will play a critical role to address the pressing challenges facing our communities and unlock the full potential of Africa, and ensuring that no one is left behind in this journey toward a more connected future.”

Source: IT Web