shortlisted to spend two months with an NGO or charity of their choice to implement their project; they will be given monthly stipends by the Vodafon= e Ghana Foundation. Speaking at the launch on Wednesday, the Director of External Affairs at Vodafone Ghana, Patrick Boateng, remarked that 93The World of Differenc= e" Programme had seen individuals from varied backgrounds made huge difference in the lives of communities and NGOs across the world and that was no small achievement. "What we have done is to empower individuals concerned about social issues to conceptualize their very own charity project and implement it. We have given individuals the power to own their initiatives and take charge o= f projects that they are genuinely passionate about," he said.

The Vodafone Foundation he added was dedicated to taking corporate philanthropy to a new level and by empowering many professionals to step ou= t of their comfort zone to focus on a project they truly believe in=85' Applications are open to Ghanaians above 18 years who are resident in Ghana to participate in the programme. Volunteers from varied professional backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Applicants can buy forms at Vodafone retail shops and interested participants are encouraged to approach a registered charity, gain their support and jointly agree on a project plan before applying. Participants, who do not have an agreed plan with a registered charity and are unable to provide their details on the application, will not be considered.

Selected applicants will be contacted via phone.

The annual community charity programme was launched in Ghana in May 2010 as one of the key activities of the Vodafone Foundation Group. It currently runs in 17 Vodafone operating countries.