The Board Chairman of the MTN Ghana Foundation, Professor Franklin Manu, has called for stronger collaboration between the private and public sectors to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and deepen investment in technology training for Ghana’s youth.
Speaking at a Bright Conversation organised by MTN in Accra, Prof. Manu questioned Ghana’s long-standing dependence on foreign investment at the expense of local entrepreneurs.
He observed that successive governments often prioritise incentives for multinational companies while neglecting the informal and micro-enterprise sector, which employs more people and contributes significantly to the economy.
“For the past 40 years, every government that comes, the first thing you hear is, ‘We want foreign investment.’ Then they go on roadshows to attract big companies from outside”
He questioned why incentives are given primarily to foreign companies while Ghanaian-owned micro and small enterprises, which employ far more people, continue to struggle for survival.
Prof. Manu stressed the need for deliberate systems and policies that create an enabling environment for small businesses, particularly those in the informal sector, emphasising their role in job creation and national development.
He called for greater investment in building human capacity to drive the government’s digital agenda.
Highlighting the Foundation’s impact, Prof. Manu pointed to the MTN Heroes of Change programme, which celebrates individuals making extraordinary contributions to society, as one of its most influential initiatives. Over the past two decades, the MTN Ghana Foundation has invested in health, education, and economic empowerment, touching millions of lives nationwide.
He attributed the Foundation’s success to its “dedicated team,” noting that passion remains the driving force behind sustainable change. “Passion is what keeps change alive. Without it, organisations find it hard to succeed.”
Prof. Manu disclosed that the Foundation is shifting its focus towards technology and innovation in response to Ghana’s evolving development needs. He explained that while infrastructure projects such as hospitals remain critical, they are increasingly costly to maintain, hence the need for sustainable, technology-driven solutions.
“Each proposal needs to clearly outline its sustainability plans,” he emphasised. “We depend on our team’s evaluations to make sure resources are used efficiently and remain beneficial to communities over time.”
Prof. Manu, a distinguished academic and corporate strategist with leadership experience in Ghana, Africa, and the United States, has led the MTN Ghana Foundation for nearly two decades. Under his stewardship, the Foundation has grown into one of the country’s most impactful corporate social responsibility vehicles.
By: Daniel Orlando/newsalertgh.com
