To enhance inclusion: MTN Cameroon launches programme with focus on persons with disabilities.

The programme dubbed MTN Kawtal was officially launched recently at the Bafoussam Service Centre of the company in the West Region. Kawtal in Fulfulde simply means “together”

The first 20 beneficiaries, two each from the 10 regions of the country, received kits and airtime worth 250,000 FCFA. They were also given material to help them be more autonomous.

The Chief Executive Officer, CEO of MTN Cameroon, Mitwa Ng’ambi chaired the ceremony. 

This was in the presence of the Regional Delegate of Social Affairs for the West Region, Fidelis Njie Ewumbue and the Mayor of the Bafoussam I municipality, Cyrille Ngnang as well as the population.

According to Mitwa Ng’ambi stated that, based on statistics which indicated that 15 percent of Cameroonians are PLWDs, her company has decided to accompany the group of persons often left behind.

“...these people are with us every day. They are our parents, our brothers, our sisters, our children, our neighbours, our colleagues, our customers...and ourselves,” Mitwa said, adding that: “We are often disabled people, unaware of our condition”. 

MTN, she said, is a socially responsible company that has opted not to leave any group of persons behind.

Going by the MTN Cameroon boss, “including these communities in our distribution chains is one more step towards empowering them, and one more step towards a more inclusive society. These are the building blocks of a more inclusive society that we are laying with MTN Kawtal”.

The programme, she explained, falls within the context of a series of projects rolled out by MTN since the start of the year 2023 to enhance inclusiveness.

The programme, Mitwa Ng’ambi further explained, aims to help persons living with disabilities have access to MTN offices, MTN products, services and access to training and employment opportunities. 

MTN, she noted at the level of its customer’s service has a WhatsApp channel dedicated to visually impaired persons and they equally have trained staff in sign language and announcements are increasingly inclusive, with the use of subtitling or sign language interpretation.

Mitwa disclosed that MTN has trained over 200 persons living with disabilities on basic digital skills, web development and computer graphics. 

The first batch of beneficiaries of the MTN Kawtal scheme were selected through the MTN Foundation. They have been trained on the sale of MTN products and services.