Accra: Mobile Telecommunication Network, MTN Ghana, has held a regional media and stakeholders forum in Wa to engage key partners, community leaders, the media, and customers as part of its nationwide stakeholder engagement initiative. The forum formed part of MTN's ongoing regional stakeholder engagements to foster transparency, strengthen partnerships, and share developments around its services, infrastructure, and social impact programmes.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Joseph Dogbe, the Chief Risk and Compliance Officer at Scancom, addressed the forum, noting MTN's unwavering commitment to the region and reiterating the role of reliable telecommunication connectivity in driving economic transformation. He said over the past five years, MTN had invested more than GHS1 billion in digital infrastructure across Ghana, with about GHS240 million investment this year. Mr Dogbe indicated that the investments were targeted at fibre and 4G expansion and preparation in readiness for 5G deployment.
As part of its digital innovation drive, he mentioned initiatives such as the 'MTN DigiFest', and the 'MoMo Business App', a financial management tool for SMEs. Mr Dogbe said MTN Ghana had also launched the 'Abana.ai', Ghana's first multilingual Artificial Intelligence (AI) voice assistant that supports major local languages such as Twi, Ewe, Hausa, Ga, Dagbani, and English. Mr Dogbe noted that the MTN's Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) had become central to the company's operations, impacting decisions on investment, talent development, and community outreach.
He explained that in 2024, the focus on digital skills for all saw the establishment of the Smart ICT Lab in senior high schools, ensuring that youth, in particular girls, are equipped for the future of work. The Green Network project, which is gradually transitioning operations into renewable energy, has reduced emissions by over 30 per cent, contributing to Ghana's climate goals. On governance, he explained that MTN had strengthened transparency protocols, gender diversity in leadership, and privacy safeguards to meet global digital standards while remaining locally relevant.
Madam Efua Falconer, the Corporate Communications Manager at Scancom, emphasised the company's longstanding presence and service in the region, spanning about 15 years. She assured that MTN Ghana would continue to provide its quality service to the people in the region. MTN Ghana had so far held similar engagements in 12 regions and committed to expanding the consultative engagements to the remaining four regions. It had also adopted a panel discussion format to deepen stakeholder dialogue at the forums.
Alhaji Issah Nurah Danwanaa, the Wa Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), commended MTN Ghana for its services but urged the company to address congestion at its office to enhance easy access to services. He indicated that he had made some proposals to MTN Ghana to help decongest the office, including suggestions to use officers to handle customer needs in satellite locations.
