MTN launches Apps Challenge 5.0v

MTN Ghana has launched the 5.0 version of the Apps Challenge which seeks to bring together app developers, animators and tech enthusiasts for a chance to create products which would bring in value and advance the tech scene in Ghana.

Asher Khan, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Ghana, launching the event said this year’s programme, aside the three main categories for entries which are Internet of Things apps that address local problems, mobile apps and animated videos, there were two new additions-the introduction of the best female project and the katAppult initiative.

He said these additions were as a result of evaluations made of the previous versions that showed that the competitions over the years had been male dominated and the need to encourage female participation.

Mr. Khan explained that the katAppult initiative was a commercialization project that sought to refine and commercialize winning ideas of MTN Apps challenge creators.

He said this would be done in a four-pronged process of discovering the innovation, refining the business models while looking for early adopters, developing the innovation and commercialising the innovation.

This year’s categories for the platform include; business, education, lifestyle and games, adding that participants would be expected to write scripts, create a storyboard and create 2D or 3D animation apps.

The judges for this year’s event are Ethel Cofie, Alain Gbeasor, Yaw Boakye, and Eyram Tawia of Leti Arts. The first four seasons saw very innovative and interesting apps with BuzTrick, Oware, Wheeloo and Amatsii receiving top honours in the previous years. The competition is open to university institutions, senior high schools and freelance. Prizes for overall winners of the competition range from GHc 15,000 to GHc 20,000.