MTN Ghana has launched the 2026 edition of its SavannahFest in Tamale, opening weeks of activities that will combine community football, music, health and customer engagement as the telecommunications company marks its 30th anniversary.
The launch, held at the Majority FM Car Park on Wednesday, September 16, brought together representatives of the National Sports Authority, participating football teams, media partners, customers and other stakeholders ahead of the month-long celebration.
Speaking at the launch, MTN Ghana Area Sales Manager for the North, Richard Asamani, said SavannahFest reflects the company’s longstanding relationship with the communities it serves.
He said the 2026 celebration has added significance because it coincides with MTN Ghana’s 30th anniversary, describing the milestone as three decades of “connecting people, supporting communities and enabling progress across Ghana.”
“From our early days as Spacefon, through Areeba, to the MTN we know today, our journey has been shaped by innovation, resilience, partnership and the loyalty of our customers,” Mr Asamani said.
He said MTN’s growth has been accompanied by investments in network infrastructure, digital and financial services, as well as community interventions through the MTN Ghana Foundation.
According to him, the company has undertaken close to 200 social impact projects in health, education and economic empowerment, including interventions that supported essential services during the COVID-19 period.
In the Northern Region, he highlighted digital skills programmes, SME training, Bright Scholarships and the construction of a GH¢9.7 million multi-purpose digital resource centre at the Dungu Campus of the University for Development Studies in Tamale.
Football takes centre stage
The 2026 SavannahFest programme will run through the first week of October, with an Inter-Community Football Gala forming a major part of the celebration.
The tournament begins at NOBISCO Park on September 18 and runs until October 3, featuring teams including Ward K Football Club, Gumani Football Club, Zogbli Football Club and Sakasaka Football Club.
The Northern Regional Director of the National Sports Authority, Ibrahim Alhassan, urged participating teams to treat the tournament as an opportunity to showcase their talents while maintaining discipline.
“We should be mindful that this is somebody’s organisation, so we should be disciplined throughout the programme,” he said.
Mr Alhassan also appealed to players and supporters to control their emotions during matches and accept officiating decisions in the spirit of community football.
“Football has its own issues during the play. Let’s control our emotions, let’s enjoy the games, let’s forgive the wrong calls, let’s forgive the wrong decisions so that we all enjoy the game to the fullest,” he said.
He urged participating teams to mobilise their wider communities, including traditional and religious leaders, rather than treating the tournament as an event for players alone.
“These are community programmes. It is not you, the playing body, alone. You represent a community,” he said.
He further appealed to match officials to approach the competition with flexibility, noting that the tournament was designed primarily for community participation and enjoyment.
“This is a community game, so we handle it to the enjoyment of the participants. It shouldn’t be the FIFA type. At least, we have to relax some rules for them to enjoy the game,” Mr Alhassan said.
Beyond football
The SavannahFest programme extends beyond the football pitch.
A music concert is scheduled for the Modern City Hotel on September 19, followed by a clean-up exercise at the Taxi Station and Tamale Teaching Hospital on September 25.
A health walk and free health screening will take place at Jubilee Park on September 26.
Mr Asamani said the activities are intended to strengthen MTN’s relationship with customers and communities while providing opportunities for recreation, health awareness and social interaction.
“This is our way of saying thank you for the trust, loyalty and partnership you have shown us over the years,” he said.
The anniversary celebration will also feature customer rewards. Mr Asamani said MTN is giving away nine Toyota Land Cruiser Prados nationwide, alongside cash, lifestyle and digital rewards.
He said 30 high-value customers were sponsored to the United States to watch the recently concluded FIFA World Cup, while the overall reward under MTN’s Heroes of Change programme has been increased from GH¢200,000 to GH¢400,000.
Three of the nine Toyota Land Cruisers have already been presented to winners in Accra, with three more expected to be presented to winners in the Northern Sector.
The final prizes will be presented at a later date in Accra.
For MTN Ghana, the SavannahFest launch therefore forms part of a broader 30th anniversary narrative that links the company’s commercial journey with customer loyalty, community investment and regional engagement.
Mr Asamani urged residents of the Northern Region to participate fully in the activities.
“I invite the people of the Northern Region to take part fully in Savannah Fest 2026. Come and cheer the participating teams, join the health walk, take advantage of the free screening, enjoy the music concert, participate in the activations and celebrate responsibly with MTN,” he said.
As MTN Ghana celebrates three decades of operations, SavannahFest 2026 is positioned as a regional expression of that anniversary, bringing together sport, entertainment, health and community engagement under the company’s 30-year milestone.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
