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Professor Franklyn Manu, Board Chairman of MTN Ghana Foundation, has shared insights into the Foundation’s work and the challenges of corporate social responsibility in Ghana. He emphasizes the importance of passion, dedicated teams, and sustainable impact in driving meaningful change.
The MTN Ghana Foundation is driven by a dedicated team that executes its work across the country. According to Prof. Manu, “The challenges are immense. All over Ghana, we’re making an impact.”
Prof. Manu’s journey with the Foundation began in 2007, when he was approached by MTN to chair the foundation. He notes that his motivation stems from the Foundation’s commitment and resources, saying, “Inner drive. I believe in what we’re doing. When you look at the scope of the problems in Ghana, you get this attitude—so you need something that motivates you.”
The Foundation’s three core focus areas are education, health, and economic empowerment. Prof. Manu explains that they have built schools, libraries, and ICT centers, funded scholarships for thousands of students, constructed hospital wards, provided medical equipment, and supported economic empowerment initiatives for women and youth.
When discussing Ghana’s national development challenges, Prof. Manu describes youth unemployment as a “time bomb” and the greatest obstacle to economic empowerment. He notes that mindset, lack of funding, and leadership focus on foreign investment hinder local enterprise growth. He encourages youth to develop a mindset that there are no shortcuts and to be willing to work hard.
On technology and sustainability, Prof. Manu says the MTN Foundation is increasingly leveraging skills training and technology-based projects. He emphasizes community involvement as key to lasting impact, stating that “When communities are involved and interested, projects are more likely to thrive.”
Despite challenges, Prof. Manu says the MTN Ghana Foundation remains committed to making a difference across Ghana. He notes that economic empowerment has been the toughest pillar, but the Foundation continues to push forward to make a difference.
The Bright Conversations series is an MTN Ghana initiative to share insights on company operations, social impact, and corporate responsibility, bringing together journalists, staff, and management to engage in meaningful dialogue.
