MTN Ghana has unveiled the 2026 edition of its annual employee volunteer campaign, 21 Days of Y’ello Care, with a major focus on improving healthcare access and helping address the persistent shortage of hospital beds in parts of the country.
The nationwide programme, which runs from June 1 to June 21, is being implemented under the theme, “Expanding Equitable Health for Every Community: Strengthening Access to Quality, Preventive and Responsive Healthcare Services for Underserved and Remote Populations.”
Through the initiative, MTN employees will dedicate their time and resources to support health facilities and vulnerable communities.
Speaking at the launch ceremony in Accra, MTN Ghana’s Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, Adwoa Wiafe, described Y’ello Care as one of the company’s most impactful corporate social responsibility programmes.
According to her, the initiative has transformed thousands of lives over the past nineteen years through interventions in sectors including education, healthcare, agriculture, digital inclusion, youth development and economic empowerment.
Ms. Wiafe noted that this year’s campaign is centred on strengthening healthcare delivery, particularly by helping health facilities overcome challenges associated with inadequate bed capacity. She explained that the shortage of beds in many hospitals often results in delays in treatment, patient transfers and increased pressure on healthcare workers.
She emphasized that the volunteer programme reflects MTN employees’ commitment to supporting communities and improving lives.
According to her, the restoration and repair of hospital beds in selected health facilities will be one of the key activities undertaken during the campaign, adding that even a single additional bed can make a significant difference in saving lives and improving patient care.
Beyond improving infrastructure, the campaign will also promote preventive healthcare. Volunteers are expected to embark on public education drives to raise awareness about non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, which continue to pose growing health risks across Ghana.
The initiative will further include free health screening exercises in underserved communities, with residents receiving checks for conditions including sickle cell disease, HIV and tuberculosis. Additional interventions will focus on improving water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in schools, supporting digital health enrolment programmes and training community health advocates.
Ms. Wiafe stated that the refurbishment of hospital beds also supports MTN’s sustainability agenda by encouraging the repair and reuse of existing resources instead of replacing them.
The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, praised MTN Ghana for directing its efforts towards critical national health priorities.
He noted that private sector participation remains essential to strengthening Ghana’s healthcare system and improving access to quality medical services.
Mr. Akandoh stressed the importance of stronger collaboration between government institutions and corporate organizations, saying such partnerships are necessary to enhance healthcare infrastructure, improve service delivery and respond effectively to emerging health challenges.
Touching on public health concerns, the Minister assured citizens that Ghana has not recorded any Ebola cases despite outbreaks reported in some countries. He disclosed that authorities have intensified disease surveillance, strengthened border monitoring and improved emergency preparedness measures to safeguard the population.
He also encouraged the public to continue observing proper hygiene practices, including frequent handwashing and the use of hand sanitizers, while urging individuals to seek medical attention immediately if they experience symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, vomiting or unexplained bleeding.
Mr. Akandoh further advised Ghanaians, particularly those aged 40 years and above, to make routine health screening a regular part of their lives. He said early diagnosis remains one of the most effective ways of preventing severe health complications and reducing avoidable deaths.
The Health Minister also welcomed MTN Ghana’s planned support for Nkwanta Hospital, which is expected to include dialysis machines and related medical equipment to enhance the treatment of kidney diseases and improve renal healthcare services in the area.
He disclosed that government has earmarked GHS2.5 billion under the Mahama Cares Initiative to support the management of non-communicable diseases and improve healthcare infrastructure nationwide. He further revealed plans to introduce legislation to regulate organ donation and transplantation in Ghana.
Also speaking at the event, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, commended MTN Ghana for its longstanding contributions to healthcare development.
He highlighted the company’s support for health infrastructure projects, blood donation campaigns, maternal healthcare initiatives and community outreach programmes.
Prof. Akoriyea particularly acknowledged MTN Ghana’s contribution during the COVID-19 pandemic, including its support for the establishment of the Ghana Infectious Disease Centre, which he described as a significant investment in the country’s public health emergency response capacity.
He maintained that government alone cannot shoulder the responsibility of meeting all healthcare needs and called for increased collaboration between public institutions and private organizations to improve health outcomes across the country.
Pharmacist and health advocate Dr. Anita Payne, founder of BetterHealth With Dr Payne, expressed concern about the increasing prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases.
She indicated that non-communicable diseases account for approximately 43 to 45 percent of deaths in Ghana, making them one of the country’s leading health challenges.
According to Dr. Payne, many individuals are unaware they are living with conditions such as hypertension and diabetes until they undergo routine medical examinations.
She therefore urged Ghanaians to embrace healthier lifestyles by exercising regularly, maintaining balanced diets, getting adequate rest and undergoing periodic health checks.
The launch officially marked the commencement of the 2026 edition of 21 Days of Y’ello Care, MTN Group’s annual volunteer programme that empowers employees across its operating markets to contribute directly to community development and social impact initiatives.
