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MTN Sparks “Connectivity Justice” Movement: CSOs Urged to Co-Author Ghana’s Digital Future
Framed as a bold step toward what organizers called “connectivity justice,” the Civil Society Forum hosted at MTN Ghana’s head office wasn’t just another stakeholder meeting it was a turning point. For once, Africa’s telecom giant put civil society not at the margins but at the center of the conversation: not as critics, but as co-architects of a sustainable and inclusive digital future.
Ghana’s digital transformation has accelerated rapidly in the past decade, reshaping commerce, governance, education, and social interaction. From mobile money to e-learning, reliable connectivity has become the lifeline of modern living.
Yet, the ecosystem is under strain. Fiber cuts alone have already cost MTN a staggering $22 million in repairs this year, threatening service continuity. At the same time, demand for affordable, accessible, and inclusive digital services keeps rising, with underserved communities often left behind.
It was against this backdrop that MTN convened civil society leaders to rethink the future of connectivity not as a corporate project, but as a national movement.
In one of the forum’s most striking moments, Adwoa Wiafe, MTN Ghana’s Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, challenged CSOs to see themselves as co-builders of Ghana’s digital landscape.
“We are not just a telecom company anymore. We are the sector of sectors,” she declared.
“Our growth must be inclusive, responsible, and shaped by voices beyond our industry.”
Wiafe also highlighted MTN’s ongoing sustainability efforts, including its shift to renewable energy with over 50% of operations now powered by green energy and workplace reforms such as eliminating plastic bottles across all offices.
Reuben Opata, Chief Technical Officer, pulled no punches as he walked participants through MTN’s massive infrastructure investments over $1 billion sunk into Ghana’s network backbone.
But, he cautioned, reliable connectivity doesn’t come cheap. “It’s the result of deliberate and sustained investment,” he said, noting that fiber vandalism and accidental cuts are draining resources at an unsustainable pace.
His call was clear: collaboration is essential to protect these investments and guarantee service continuity for millions of Ghanaians.
Civil society leaders in attendance welcomed MTN’s openness but seized the moment to raise pressing concerns:
Mobile money fraud, which continues to erode trust in digital finance.
Service affordability, especially for low-income users.
Digital accessibility, particularly for persons with disabilities.
Inclusive customer support, to ensure all voices are heard.
Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, Senior Manager for Corporate Communications, acknowledged the feedback, stressing that sustained dialogue is the only way to design digital solutions that truly serve communities at the grassroots.
Also in attendance were Samuel Bartels, Senior Manager for Regulatory and Government Affairs, and members of MTN’s Corporate Communications and
