Lily Mintah, the President And Founder of Share Foundation, a Tema based NGO which gives scholarships to needy but brilliant students, has lauded telecom giant, MTN, for recognising her as a hero of change.
The foundation has also set up libraries in various places across the country to help promote literacy among the youth.
“Our goals remain unchanged, Share Foundation is committed to helping children and youth achieve academic success and develop into future leaders. Each one comes to us with a great future regardless of how challenging their personal circumstances.
“The MTN Heroes of Change recognition and award I received has created an opportunity for the organization. The recognition has encouraged others to emulate the example of selflessness and volunteerism. The funds awarded by MTN in 2014 enabled us to continue supporting our needy students in universities, polytechnics and teacher training colleges,” she said.
MTN recently launched the second season of its corporate social responsibility television programme, Heroes of Change, that seeks to recognize Ghanaians who are doing amazing things in their communities, with bigger prize packages for winners.
Nominations are still open for the public to nominate their heroes for the new season either filling an online nomination at heroes.mtn.com.gh, sending an email to heroes.mtn.com.gh or picking a form at any MTN service centre and submitting to any MTN service centre after filling.
The first season, launched in 2013, awarded six heroes including five others in different categories: Dr. Abrokwa-Yankyera, overall winner; Lily Akuah Mintah, education; Abena Antwi, social protection; Amadu Mohammed, community crusader; Richard Achumboru, economic empowerment; and Barimah Antwi, health.
The second season will feature the stories of extra ordinary activities of the nominees to be selected across the country and the activities selected should fit into any one of the three focus areas the MTN Ghana Foundation, which are education, health and economic development.
This season will see the overall winner walk away with GH¢100,000, twice the value of the first season winner.
Also, those whose projects top the health, education and economic empowerment focus areas will each receive GH¢20,000, whilst the remaining heroes will walk away with GH¢5,000 to help them expand their projects.
Ms. Mintah noted that it is particularly gratifying to look back upon the activities undertaken and be thankful for what the NGO has been able to accomplish, especially during these challenging economic times.
“The past year has been productive for us as we work toward our shared goal of providing our young people with the support, guidance, and care they need to reach for their dreams. One key significant activity from the funds was the completion and opening of the Comfort Learning Centre at Tema Community 8 No. 3 School.At the inauguration of the centre, many of the organisations invited pledged to support our future projects.”
She noted that Share Foundation’s award winning reputation has opened new doors and she is glad to say that the foundation has been placed in a very attractive position after MTN’s recognition.
“Organisations have called us to send proposals for some of our projects. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints financed the completion of a modern library promoted by the foundation at Teshie Anglican JHS. Barclays Bank donated books and other materials for the library.
“United Way Ghana, an organization that focuses on grassroots and indigenous community organisations is considering our proposal for our newest library at Aggrey Road cluster of schools in Tema Community 2. The approval for the purchase of books for this project has been completed by Rotary Club,” she said.
She has promised to only get better at her work so that this recognition and reward will bring more developments to communities.
