MTN Ghana has reaffirmed its leadership in digital innovation and inclusive communication with the launch of Ghana’s first local language Artificial Intelligence (AI) voice assistant—Abena.ai—during a high-level stakeholders’ engagement held in Wa on October 21, 2025.
The forum, which brought together traditional authorities, government officials, business owners, media practitioners, civil society groups, and long-standing customers, formed part of MTN’s nationwide stakeholder engagement series aimed at strengthening collaboration and promoting digital transformation across Ghana.
Addressing participants, Mr. Joseph Dogbe, Chief Risk and Compliance Officer at Scancom PLC (MTN Ghana), said the company is deeply committed to bridging Ghana’s digital divide through sustained investment in infrastructure and innovative technology. He revealed that MTN had invested more than GH¢1 billion in digital infrastructure over the past five years, with an additional GH¢240 million committed in 2025 alone to upgrade fibre and 4G networks in preparation for the full rollout of 5G services across the country.
Mr. Dogbe described the introduction of Abena.ai as a major breakthrough in the country’s digital inclusion agenda. The AI innovation, developed to understand and respond in Twi, Ewe, Hausa, Ga, Dagbani, and English, aims to make digital tools more accessible and culturally relevant to Ghanaians regardless of their literacy level or language preference.
He noted that MTN’s mission extends beyond connectivity to ensuring that technology reflects the linguistic diversity of Ghana. “Digital inclusion must go beyond access—it must speak the language of the people,” he emphasized, adding that the innovation aligns with MTN’s ambition to lead digital solutions for Africa’s progress.
The forum also featured other groundbreaking initiatives such as the MTN DigiFest platform, designed to promote digital literacy among students, youth, and entrepreneurs, and the MoMo Business App, tailored to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with modern financial management tools.
Mr. Dogbe further assured stakeholders that MTN Ghana’s operations are guided by the principles of transparency, gender balance, data privacy, and international compliance standards. “We are committed to building trust and ensuring our growth reflects ethical business practices and social responsibility,” he added.
In her remarks, Madam Efua Falconer, Corporate Communications Manager at MTN Ghana, commended the people of the Upper West Region for their loyalty and support over the past 15 years of MTN’s presence in the area. She reaffirmed MTN’s dedication to customer satisfaction and constant service improvement, stating that the Wa engagement was one of 12 regional forums held across the country, with plans underway to cover all 16 regions.
“These engagements help us listen to our customers directly, understand their challenges, and co-create solutions that make their digital lives easier and more meaningful,” Madam Falconer said.
The Wa Municipal Chief Executive, Alhaji Issah Nurah Danwanaa, lauded MTN Ghana for its contribution to national development and its commitment to expanding digital access in deprived areas. He, however, called for the decentralization of customer service operations to ease congestion at the Wa main office and urged the establishment of satellite service centres in various communities to enhance convenience for residents.
Media representatives who attended the forum also urged MTN Ghana to increase collaboration with local journalists and media houses in its communication outreach. They encouraged the telecom giant to expand its use of indigenous languages in advertising, education, and community engagement to deepen trust and strengthen relationships with customers at the grassroots level.
The event concluded with an open dialogue session, where stakeholders commended MTN Ghana’s proactive approach to addressing customer concerns and integrating local feedback into its policy and service decisions.
Through the Wa stakeholder engagement and the introduction of Abena.ai, MTN Ghana has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to driving digital transformation that is inclusive, empowering, and culturally resonant. The initiative reinforces the company’s vision of ensuring that every Ghanaian—regardless of language, literacy, or location—benefits fully from the opportunities of the digital era.
