MTN Ghana Invests $21K in Preserving Cultural Heritage

When MTN Ghana celebrated its 30th anniversary, the company chose to honor something far older: the ancient Ohum Festival that has connected Ghanaian communities to their ancestors for generations.

The telecommunications company donated 20,000 Ghanaian cedis (roughly $1,300 USD) plus airtime and beverages to support the 2026 Ohum Festival in Akyem Tafo. In a separate gesture, MTN presented an even larger 30,000 cedis gift to the Okyenhene's palace in nearby Kyebi for the same celebration.

The Ohum Festival is more than just a party. Communities gather annually to give thanks for protection throughout the year, celebrate the first yam harvest, and perform sacred cleansing ceremonies for royal stools. It's a living thread connecting modern Ghana to its rich past.

Ransford Gyan, MTN's Area Sales Manager, explained that the donations recognize Chief Daasebre Adusei Peasah IV and his people's loyalty to the MTN brand. But the partnership goes deeper than business. "We have seen how deeply the Ohum Festival reflects the identity, heritage and aspirations of the Tafo people," Gyan said at the presentation ceremony at Akyem Tafo Awansa Palace.

MTN is bringing more than money to the festival. The company plans to set up customer experience centers throughout Akyem Tafo during the celebration, making their services more accessible to both residents and visitors who travel to witness the cultural event.

The timing connects MTN's own milestone with Ghana's living history. Under the theme "30 Years of Progress, Powered by You," the company is highlighting how it has grown alongside the communities it serves. "For three decades, we have been more than a telecommunications company," Gyan noted. "We have been a partner in progress."

Chief Daasebre Peasah IV graciously accepted the donations and thanked MTN for its consistent support over the years. He offered prayers for the company's continued success, cementing a partnership that benefits both tradition and progress.

The Ripple Effect

This collaboration shows how modern businesses can support cultural preservation while strengthening community ties. MTN's investment helps ensure that younger generations can experience the festivals that define their heritage. The customer service centers also mean rural communities get better access to telecommunications during the celebration, bridging the gap between ancient customs and contemporary needs.

The partnership demonstrates that economic development and cultural preservation don't have to compete. When companies invest in the traditions that matter to communities, everyone moves forward together while honoring where they came from.