MTN Ghana deepens sustainability drive with focus on waste, digital inclusion

MTN Ghana is intensifying its sustainability efforts during its 2026 Sustainability Month, focusing on waste management, environmental protection, digital access, and responsible business practices. Acting General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value, Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, outlined the company's initiatives, which include weekly internal activities and external engagements to promote sustainability among staff, customers, and small businesses.

The month kicked off with an internal launch followed by competitions to test employees' knowledge of sustainability and responsible business practices. One notable internal event, "ESG in Your Zone," involved discussions on how various departments could incorporate environmental, social, and governance principles into their daily operations.

For instance, the energy team shared energy conservation measures, while the human resources and ethics teams addressed employee-related concerns, and the commercial team discussed strategies for affordable and safe broadband access.

MTN also organized a "Lunch and Learn" session titled "ESG in Your Zone," where employees from different departments discussed sustainability applications in their respective areas of work. The session encouraged cross-functional collaboration to ensure sustainability permeates all levels of the organization.

Recognizing the increasing importance of telecommunications services, MTN emphasized how access to broadband is becoming a necessity akin to a human right. The commercial team highlighted MTN's efforts to make internet access more affordable and safe by collaborating with original equipment providers.

To address waste management challenges, MTN staff visited the Accra Composites and Recycling Plant. Asare Fiagbenu informed that Accra generates about 4,000 tonnes of waste daily, with only 2,000 recycled. The visit aimed to raise awareness about waste disposal practices and encourage responsible behavior among employees and the public. She stressed the need to consider the fate of waste after generation and questioned the community's role in managing it effectively.

MTN is also extending sustainability efforts to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). About 120 SMEs participated in a sustainability engagement organized by the MTN Business team, with ACCA providing training on adopting sustainable practices. Asare Fiagbenu emphasized that SMEs play a crucial role in sustainable growth, urging businesses to balance expansion with social and environmental responsibility. She encouraged small businesses to invest in their communities while growing their enterprises.

Additionally, MTN plans to launch a tree-planting activity and establish a garden club to promote food sustainability among staff. Asare Fiagbenu stressed that sustainable living starts at the individual level, regardless of the available space.