Tigo unveils Digital Change Makers competition with US$20,000 grant

Tigo Ghana in partnership with Reach for Change, a non-profit organisation has announced Digital Change Makers competition; a new social entrepreneurship programme aimed at identifying and empowering young Ghanaians with innovative digital solutions to step forward and help solve some of Ghana’s most pressing needs.

The CEO for Tigo Ghana, Roshi Motman, in a statement read on her behalf said the two top winners for the competition will each receive a funding grant of $20,000 (GHS60, 000) and the needed expert guidance and support to bring their ideas to life. They will also benefit from a network of existing social entrepreneurs who will guide them and share their expertise on running social change projects.

“Starting from 3rd November to 1st December 2014, we are encouraging all social entrepreneurs to step forward with the best digital technology ideas that can create a bigger impact to the lives of children and Ghanaians”.

“We are looking for the best innovative digital ideas that can impact and provide genuine solutions to problems facing children and society, while at the same time promoting connectivity and access to communications, particularly in deprived communities,” Roshi Motman said.

Ideas presented to the competition must demonstrate the potential in utilizing mobile broadband, digital and/or information technology to improve the quality of the proposed project. Interested participants can apply online through www.tigo.com.gh/digitalchangemakers.

The Digital Change Maker initiative is in line with Tigo’s strategy of promoting a digital life style. This is the third year that both Tigo and Reach for Change are jointly supporting Ghanaian social entrepreneurs. Over the period 13 social entrepreneurs have received funding from this initiative with their projects benefiting a total of 500,000 children across Ghana.

On his part, a Deputy Minister of Communications, Mr. Ato Sarpong who unveiled the competition said technology is vital in solving the country’s numerous development challenges with speed and ease.

This he said government is investing in IT infrastructure including the National Fibre Optic Backbone Project which is extending telecommunication services to greater part of the country.

“The thing about IT is its ability to expand the tax net, help service providers to cut down cost of doing business and most importantly create more jobs, that is why everything possible must be done to aid technology”, Mr Sarpong said.

To this end, he assured that his ministry would continue to create enabling environment for players in the telecom industry to grow their businesses. Mr Sarpong lauded the Digital Change Makers competition being spearheaded by Tigo Ghana in partnership with, a Swedish NGO, Reach for Change.