Telecel Ashanti Month – A celebration of sports, culture and community

For seven years, Telecel Ghana has been a steadfast partner of Asanteman. Each year, the telco dedicates an entire month to celebrating the rich culture, golfing talents, community health, local businesses and vibrant community spirit of the region.

Led by the Enterprise Business Unit, Telecel Ashanti Month is a fusion of sports, culture and community outreach, which has become a hallmark of the company’s commitment to the Ashanti Region. With this year’s edition held in November, the series of golf, customer and social impact activities touched the lives of many in the capital, Kumasi and beyond.

Asantehene Open: An annual display of golfing excellence

At the heart of Telecel Ghana’s Ashanti Month celebrations is the prestigious Asantehene Open – a golf tournament that brings together sports enthusiasts, business leaders and cultural ambassadors from across Africa to compete in the men and ladies’ championships, handicap, support and sponsors categories.

As the headline sponsor for seven consecutive years, the telco has played a pivotal role in elevating the tournament to international standards, with this year’s event being another resounding success, attracting 270 amateur and professional golfers from across African 10 countries, including Ghana.

Each year, the Asantehene, His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, tees-off in a ceremony to set the ball rolling for the championships. This year, the Ashanti King was joined by Telecel Group Board Chair, Nicolas Bourg; Telecel Ghana CEO, Ing. Patricia Obo-Nai; and the Chair of the Management team of the Royal Golf Club, Kwesi Attah-Antwi, for the ceremonial tee-off.

“The Asantehene Open is more than just a golf tournament,” said Patricia Obo-Nai, CEO of Telecel Ghana. “It’s an opportunity to appreciate the hundreds of businesses and countless people in the region who use our services. We are proud to be associated with this prestigious tournament and to contribute to its continued growth year on year.”

At the end of the 4-day tournament, Asantehene hosted the annual royal dinner to award outstanding golfing competitors with trophies in all categories. Ernest Herman received the grand trophy in the Men’s Championships, Kwame Selorm Boampong won the Men Handicap category while Samira Kangoute was awarded the champion in the Ladies’ Championship.

Telecel Ghana’s Albert Achiaw came second in the Sponsors B category, receiving the award for Overall Runner-Up in the group.

The success of the 67th Asantehene Open is a testament to the ever-growing influence of golf in Ghana and the critical role that corporate and traditional leaders like the Asantehene play in promoting the sport.

Customer engagement

Asanteman is celebrated for its industrious and entrepreneurial spirit. Throughout the Ashanti Month, Telecel Ghana engages with its customers in meaningful ways through a series of market activations and customer visits. These activations, which take place in various markets and high traffic areas across the region, provide Telecel customers with exclusive offers, promotions and interactive experiences to boost their businesses.

The telco’s senior management team also take the opportunity to visit local enterprise clients and get first-hand feedback on how Telecel Ghana can continue to improve its services. “Our customers are at the heart of everything we do.

Visits to their businesses are not only about maintaining relationships, but also to deepen our understanding of their operations, challenges and needs. These interactions enable us to deliver tailored solutions that drive our mutual growth,” said Tawa Bolarin, Director of Enterprise Business.

A commitment to community health

Ashanti Month activities are not limited to the fairways and greens of the Royal Golf Park, Kumasi. The Telecel Ghana Foundation organises several community outreach initiatives that add value and make a lasting impact on the lives of the people in the region.

One of the most anticipated initiatives is Healthfest, a free medical screening for a wide range of health conditions such as blood pressure, blood sugar, malaria, hepatitis B, HIV, typhoid, weight and general health consultations. This year’s, held in Ashtown, benefitted a total of 483 people, with 300 people getting their National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) registration, replacement and renewal completed.

Additionally, Telecel Ghana Foundation made a tangible difference in the lives of indebted patients at the Kumasi South Hospital, burdened by unpaid medical bills. Through its Homecoming initiative, the foundation helped settle the outstanding medical bills of 15 cash-strapped patients, ensuring that they can receive treatment and be discharged for conditions including skin burns, car accidents, surgeries, chest infections, birth complications, among others.

The foundation donated medical supplies such as gloves, fetoscopes, bedsheets and toiletries to the Mother and Baby Unit of the hospital.

“We believe that healthcare should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their socio-economic background,” said Rita Agyeiwaa Rockson, Head of Foundation, Sustainability and External Communications at Telecel Ghana. “Our Connected Health Initiatives are designed to improve access to quality healthcare and strengthen community health.”

Empowering women entrepreneurs

One of the standout initiatives of this year’s Ashanti Month is the digital and financial skills training organised to empower women in the informal sector. The workshop focused on equipping 140 women, including hairdressers, dressmakers and agribusiness owners, with the tools they need to manage and promote their businesses more effectively, access digital services and understand the fundamentals of financial literacy.

The skills training forms part of Telecel Foundation’s broader effort to support the informal economy, where women make up a significant portion of the workforce, by providing them with the tools to grow their businesses and build more sustainable livelihoods. At the end of the training, each participant received a smart phone with a special Telecel package of 2.5GB data every month for a year.

This year’s special guest, Board Chair of Telecel Group, Nicolas Bourg, said: “Having a good understanding of digital tools and financial management skills will help you connect with a wider customer base through online platforms, expand your market reach and assist you in making informed financial decisions to secure your business’ future”.

Building on the inroads

Telecel Ghana’s partnership with Asanteman is a cornerstone of the telco’s community engagement strategy. The partnership demonstrates a keen understanding of the importance of local engagement and the value of integrating cultural heritage into business.

Looking ahead, this partnership is poised to be a catalyst for sustainable growth and development in the region. As Telecel Ghana continues to leverage its resources and the wisdom of Asantehene’s leadership, it looks forward to another year of sports, culture and, most importantly, giving back to the region that has helped shape the company’s success nationally. The future is bright as both Telecel and Asanteman chart a path forward, rooted in shared values and a vision for a digitally connected and economically empowered region.

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