Date of Event: September 10, 2025
Participants from NNF: [Name(s) of representative(s), e.g., Peter Asiedu, Executive Director]
Venue: MTN House, Accra
Summary of Engagement
The Nurture Nature Foundation (NNF) was honored to participate in the recent stakeholder dialogue hosted by MTN Ghana at their headquarters in Accra. This forum presented an invaluable opportunity for us to engage with key stakeholders in the telecommunications sector, sharing insights on how corporate practices intersect with our mission to promote environmental sustainability and reverse social inequalities. Our focus at the forum was to ensure that MTN’s “Ambition 2025” initiative and its operational strategies align with national and global sustainability goals, particularly in areas related to climate action and environmental stewardship.
Key Discussion Points from NNF’s Perspective
1. The Environmental Impact of Network Infrastructure
We raised concerns regarding the environmental impact of frequent fiber optic cable cuts and their broader consequences. While MTN acknowledged the financial costs and service disruptions caused by these incidents, we emphasized the environmental waste generated from the repairs. We encouraged MTN to adopt a more comprehensive approach to network maintenance, one that integrates a strong waste management and recycling strategy for discarded cables and materials. This aligns directly with our “Clean Ghana First” campaign and our advocacy for a “Waste-to-Wealth” economy, aiming to reduce waste while creating value from it.
2. Energy Transition and Green Technology
We welcomed MTN’s commitment to transitioning towards green energy. Our discussions centered on the potential for strategic partnerships to accelerate this transition. We presented opportunities for MTN to collaborate with NNF and other partners to pilot sustainable energy projects that not only power their operations but also benefit the communities they serve. We believe this is an area where MTN’s business model can be a driving force for environmental good, transforming their operational footprint into a positive contribution to both the economy and the environment.
3. Digital Inclusion and Social Equity
The theme of ‘Digital Enablers’ resonated deeply with NNF’s mission. We emphasized that access to technology is a vital component of social equality. However, we stressed that this access must be accompanied by education on responsible digital use, including awareness of both digital and environmental footprints. Our foundation believes that technology, when developed and deployed with sustainability and equity in mind, can be a powerful tool for social transformation.
4. Collaborative Solutions
The dialogue reaffirmed our belief in the power of collaboration. MTN demonstrated an openness to working with civil society organizations to address key operational challenges. We identified several potential areas for future cooperation, including:
– **Joint Community Sensitization:** Partnering to educate the public on the importance of protecting public infrastructure, such as fiber optic cables, and promoting responsible waste management.
– **Project Collaboration:** Exploring joint projects that align with both MTN Foundation’s pillars and NNF’s mission, particularly in green energy and economic empowerment through sustainable practices.
Conclusion and Outlook
The Nurture Nature Foundation views this engagement as a significant milestone in our ongoing dialogue with the corporate sector. We believe that it’s not enough for corporations to simply talk about sustainability; they must also listen to the insights of civil society and take concrete action. The transparent, open nature of the discussions with MTN was both encouraging and inspiring.
Looking ahead, we are excited about the potential to build on this dialogue, leveraging MTN’s impressive scale and reach to foster not only economic growth but also a more sustainable and equitable future for Ghana. We will continue to monitor MTN’s progress and seek out opportunities to collaborate on initiatives that protect our environment for both current and future generations.
NNF remains committed to working alongside MTN and other partners to drive meaningful change and create lasting, positive impacts across Ghana.
