By: Isaac Amoah/tntnewspapergh.com
Officials of the leading telecommunications giant in the country, MTN Ghana, have joined the ongoing celebration of Ashantifest, with massive free health screening and blood donation exercise for inmates of Kumasi Central Prisons and the general public.
Some scenes from the event
The free health screening and blood donation exercise were part of the company’s contribution to the maiden Ashantifest, a programme designed by the Ashanti Regional Co-ordinating Council (ARCC) and spearheaded by Dr. Frank Amoakohene, the Ashanti Regional Minister.
Aside from the free health screening and blood donation exercise, MTN Ghana is also sponsoring kids festival and music festival; both events are to be held at Rattray Park in Kumasi.
Some scenes from the exhibition, the free health screening & blood donation exercise
The event held on Thursday, 17th April 2025, forms part of the key activities lined up for the maiden Ashantifest initiated by Dr. Amoakohene.
The Kumasi Central Prisons, which serves as the seat of the Ashanti Regional Prisons Command, was built in 1901 to accommodate 500 inmates.
Dr Frank Amoakohene interacting with MTN Ghana officials at the event
Currently, it houses an average of 1,709 inmates serving sentences for various offences.
According to the prison officers, the categorisation of inmates is as follows: short and long-sentenced prisons, lifers and trial prisoners.
The treatment programmes for the inmates include tailoring, carpentry, masonry, kente weaving and beads making.
Others are metal works, shoe making, electronic/electrical works, batik tie & dye, education (JHS & SHS) as well as ICT.
The products from the various treatment programmes were showcased or exhibited to the general public.
The event also afforded the various units of Ashanti Regional Command of Prisons Service to exhibit their products to the public.
Some of the products exhibited were batik tie & dye, shoes, beads making, shop items, bakery, liquid soap, beads, shop items, kente, carpentry items, etc.
Dr. Amoakohene, who was led by the Ashanti Regional Prisons Commander, DDP Ing James B. Mwinyelle, to inspect the various stands, was very impressed with the quality products by the various prison units in the region.
He, therefore, encouraged Ghanaians to patronise their products.
The minister was very grateful to MTN Ghana for sponsoring the free health screening and blood donation exercise conducted by health personnel from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).
On his part, the Ashanti Regional Prisons commander commended the minister for the impactful event.
It’s on record that,the Ashantifest is an annual regional festival created by MTN to bring the brand closer to Asanteman while appreciating the loyalty of its cherished subscribers in the region for contributing to the success story of MTN.
Since the inception of the festival over 14 years ago, various life-enriching initiatives including the provision of community improvement projects, sports, and entertainment have been brought to the doorsteps of several communities in the region.
The celebration, also comes with specific promotional offers for customers in the region.
Activities for the annual celebration usually include;
Community Soccer (MTN Ashantifest Cup), Community foras, Media Editors forum to update the media on issues regarding MTN’s business, SME Fair and Y’ello Care Staff Volunteering program among others.
