Ford Announces C3 Winner In Ghana

ACCRA, Ghana, 31 July 2015 - The Ford Motor Company Fund has partnered with non-profit organisation (NPO) Enactus to launch an exciting new project in Ghana that involves university students in empowering the community to become a more sustainable place to work and live.

Enactus is a global NPO that brings together students, academic professionals and business leaders who are committed to using entrepreneurial action to improve lives.

The pilot, Ford College Community Challenge (C3) Building Sustainable Communities Project Partnership was launched this year in Ghana, with one team being selected to activate an innovative project that empowers communities, creates sustainability and improves quality of life.

"The Ford Building Sustainable Communities Project Partnership is a collaborative and innovative student-lead initiative that addresses an urgent, unmet social need or problem in the community," says Jeff Nemeth, President and CEO Sub Saharan Africa.

"This will be the first year for the project in Ghana, and will join the successful roll-out of this initiative which started in Brazil and China in 2014 where local communities have benefited and been uplifted in significant, meaningful ways," added Nemeth.

Applications were opened to tertiary institutions across Ghana from March 2015, with the requirement for the submission of a detailed plan to create a tangible community project that addresses critical local needs to empower the community to become a more sustainable place to live and work. University students have to take the leadership role in the project, from design to implementation.

The scope is virtually unlimited, and innovation and creativity are actively encouraged. "We received a number of impressive project proposals representing a variety of ideas to build sustainable communities," says Baba Sayuti, Country Leader of Enactus Ghana. "We are excited to partner with Ford to provide an opportunity for Enactus Ghana students to apply their innovation and passion to make real progress towards the community."

Entries were reviewed and adjudicated by Enactus and Ford Motor Company Fund. The University of Energy and Natural Resources Enactus team was selected to receive $5 000 to implement their project. The winning team was announced at the 2015 Enactus Ghana National Competition.

The Enactus team's alternative energy project will create a new device that serves as an electrical generator and storage system to produce a reliable and sustainable source of energy. The team aims to create an affordable, accessible product that can be used by the masses in an effort to reduce pressure on the national grid in Ghana. The team will submit a Final Impact Report in May 2016 to detail the success of their project.

The Ford C3 Building Sustainable Communities Project Partnership is also available to Enactus teams in Brazil, China, Kenya, Morocco and South Africa. Enactus mobilizes 1 700+ university programs in 36 countries. An annual series of regional and national competitions provides a forum for teams to showcase the impact of their outreach efforts and to be evaluated by executives serving as judges. National champion teams advance to the prestigious Enactus World Cup to experience excellence in competition, collaboration and celebration. The 2015 Enactus World Cup will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 14 - 16 October. To learn more about Enactus, visit www.enactus.org.

Hi-resolution photographs are available on www.quickpic.co.za

Media enquiries:

Alisea Chetty | Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa

Mail: achetty2@ford.com | Tel: +27 12 842 2707