Regional News of Friday, 19 December 2014

Source: GNA

Vodafone launches mobile for good awards

Vodafone Ghana Foundation launches it’s mobile for good award ceremony which aims at driving innovative mobile solutions that are in line with the government’s agenda to deliver social change in health, education, environment and economic development.

Mr Ato Sarpong, Deputy Minister of Communications, clarified that mobile for good is a concept designed to utilise mobile technology to make communities in Ghana better and hence the company invited applications from talented Ghanaians with technologically driven projects and supported successful projects with funding.

He said government finds such initiatives laudable and should be encouraged especially as it is directly in line with the agenda to deliver social change in health, education, environment and economic development.

Mr Sarpong stated that taking full advantage of the mobile technological advancements in the provision of emergency health care in Ghana in order to save lives should be one of the objectives in the health care sector.

Also, the mobile for good project would bring together non-governmental organisations and social enterprises with innovative mobile solutions that would deliver social change as they compete for the ultimate price.

Some non-governmental enterprises that engaged in the contest and came out successful are Kharis foundation, Tinydavid Ltd, Centre for Health Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Services, MPIRE Infobusiness System, Voto Mobile, Assistance Training School Tepa and Educators International.

MPIRE Infobusiness System came up with the MOJA mobile app that creates the avenue and incentive for donation of blood by tracing the closest donor with the same blood group to the recipient.

VOTO Mobile is also a social enterprise start up that helps Ghanaian organisations in many sectors to tackle social problems using mobile based reminders, education programmes, and other interactive communications.

Kharis Foundation aims at reaching out to people living with HIV and HIV vulnerable population through mobile technology.

Health Assistance Training School’s main focus is on adapting well-regarded teaching content into the electronic format which could consequently be used independently of the availability of books and other written materials.

Also the Educators International aims at training Ghanaian teachers to teach reading using phonics.

Mr Haris Broumidis, Chief Executive Officer of Vodafone, explained that with the launch of mobile for good, they are reiterating their promise to invest more into the communities they serve , reach out to people in need and promote high standards in the telecommunication Centre.

According to him Vodafone is always occupied with finding avenues to empower their customers.