MTN Ghana Marks 30 Years of Connectivity
By Lois Amanor
MTN Ghana has launched its MTN@30 celebration, marking three decades of service and connectivity in Ghana. The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Blewett, described the milestone as a moment to pause, reflect, and appreciate the journey that has transformed communication in the country.
Speaking at the launch event at MTN House, Blewett recalled the early days of mobile phones, mentioning models like the Nokia 3310 and Motorola Razr, which many Ghanaians once used. He said the anniversary is not just about corporate success but about the lives of ordinary people whose daily activities have been shaped by connectivity.
He shared a story of a farmer who insisted on using an MTN pickup truck, claiming his contribution as a customer gave him ownership of the brand. Blewett said this shows how Ghanaians see MTN not as distant infrastructure but as their own network and enabler.
The CEO thanked customers, government, regulators, media, partners, and employees for their support over the years. He reminded the audience that MTN’s journey began in 1996, when Ghana’s first GSM service was launched. Since then, connectivity has moved from being a luxury to a necessity, captured by the slogan “Everywhere You Go.”
Blewett highlighted mobile money as one of the most transformative innovations. Introduced in 2009, it gave millions of Ghanaians access to the formal economy, safety, and dignity. Today, mobile money supports households, businesses, and entire value chains, becoming part of everyday life.
He also reflected on the COVID 19 pandemic in 2020, when schools closed and businesses paused. Despite the crisis, Ghana stayed connected. Hospitals coordinated care, teachers taught online, and families supported one another through mobile money. MTN Ghana’s network became essential national infrastructure, holding firm when stability was most needed.
Blewett emphasised MTN’s measurable contributions to Ghana’s economy. The company is one of the largest contributors to public revenue and continues to invest heavily in network expansion. Over the next few years, MTN plans to spend $1.1 billion on infrastructure, including 800 new sites this year compared to 50 last year. Through the MTN Ghana Foundation, the company has also invested tens of millions of cedis in education, health, skills development, and economic empowerment.
Looking ahead, Blewett said Ghana’s future is digital, inclusive, and globally competitive, with young people at the centre. He noted that artificial intelligence will change how people use technology, predicting that future phones may rely entirely on AI agents rather than apps.
MTN is preparing for this future by strengthening fibre infrastructure, modernising systems, and investing in renewable energy and responsible technology use. Blewett stressed that sustainability is key to ensuring progress lasts.
He concluded that MTN’s real story is not found in balance sheets but in the lives of Ghanaians, the student who stayed in school, the farmer paid safely, the mother treated in a better hospital, and the entrepreneur serving global customers. “That is what 30 years of progress truly means,” he said.
