MTN Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to combating gender-based violence (GBV) through sustained education, collaboration, and youth empowerment as it climaxed the 2025 edition of the 16 Days of Activism campaign.
Speaking at the finale held at Sacred Heart Technical Institute, the General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Ghana, Isaac Martey, noted that the event was not simply the end of a global campaign, but part of a continuous effort to shape responsible future leaders.
He explained that MTN deliberately chose a senior high school as the location for the finale to reach young people at a formative stage in their development.
According to him, engaging students early is crucial to breaking the cycle of violence.
“We know that our young people grow up to be men and women, so when we get them to understand gender-based violence at this age, we believe they will grow to become responsible men and women,” he said.
He noted that although the formal 16-day calendar had ended, the work of advocacy, sensitisation, and partnership continues throughout the year.
MTN’s approach to social impact, he said, is deliberate and strategic—focusing on creating meaningful change in the hearts and minds of young people, while ensuring that activities are sustained beyond symbolic observances.
Mr. Martey highlighted MTN’s long-standing commitment to integrating GBV awareness into its broader sustainability agenda.
This year, the company worked with several partners across regions, including government agencies, schools, civil society groups, and other institutions.
He explained that collaboration is essential for impact.
“When we go together as a team, this becomes more sustainable. We have planned, invested, and partnered with other institutions because a united effort is what truly drives change.”
A key focus of this year’s engagement was linking GBV education with responsible digital behaviour.
Isaac Martey noted that while technology offers tremendous benefits, it can also enable harmful practices when misused.
MTN is therefore intentionally incorporating digital literacy into its GBV campaigns to help young people navigate both the opportunities and risks of online spaces.
Addressing how MTN works with the government to enhance the effectiveness of its initiatives, he pointed to strong partnerships with agencies such as the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU).
He described these collaborations as central to MTN’s sustainability strategy, ensuring that programmes align with national structures and long-term policy goals.
“If we don’t unite, there’s no way we can get this right,” he emphasised, underscoring the campaign theme: “Unite to End Violence Against Women and Girls.”
He added that boys and men must be active participants in the fight, noting that meaningful change requires the involvement of all genders.
Meanwhile, the Director of the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service, ACP Owusuaa Kyeremeh, highlighted the significance of the global campaign marking 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
She explained that although the official campaign period had ended, the commitment to advocating against violence must continue throughout the year.
ACP Kyeremeh emphasised that while women and girls are often the primary victims, boys and men also experience various forms of abuse and must not be forgotten in national protection efforts.
She announced new reforms aimed at making DOVVSU more accessible to the public, including the launch of a dedicated helpline and a toll-free number, 800900, to ensure that individuals can easily seek help or report cases.
Additionally, she revealed a WhatsApp hotline—0551000900—designed specifically for victims or witnesses to share videos or recordings of violent incidents directly with DOVVSU.
This initiative, she noted, is meant to encourage timely reporting and prevent sensitive evidence from being circulated on social media instead of reaching the authorities who can act.
ACP Kyeremeh reiterated DOVVSU’s commitment to responding quickly and protecting vulnerable groups across the country.
