MTN Ghana has launched a 16-team inter-community football gala as part of its annual SavannaFest festival to celebrate communities in the northern part of the country.
The gala, launched in Tamale, is the centrepiece of SavannaFest 2026 and marks a major expansion from last year’s edition, which featured only four teams.
Area Sales Manager for Northern Ghana, Richard Asamani, said the expansion is part of activities to commemorate MTN’s 30th anniversary this year.
“Today we launched the community football gala as part of our SavannaFest 2026 festival. This year it coincides with our 30th anniversary, and this year it is bigger compared to last year – we only had 4 teams, but this year we have 16 teams competing for the ultimate prize,” Mr Asamani said.
He said the festival goes beyond football and includes a series of community-focused activities, including a music festival at the Modern City Hotel, a health walk, free health screening at the Jubilee Park, and a clean-up exercise at the Tamale Teaching Hospital.
Mr Asamani said the tournament was deliberately chosen to promote togetherness and development, noting that football remains a powerful unifying force for Ghanaians.
“As a brand, we know that football is a language. Through this, we intend to ensure that we foster unity and foster community development and also unearth talent,” he said.
He was impressed with the standard of play in the opening matches, describing what he saw as real soccer talent.
Mr Asamani said if such talent is nurtured, it could help project Ghana on the world stage, adding: “It was real soccer talent that we saw on the pitch. And if we can continue to develop such talent, I am sure we will put Ghana on the map in terms of football.”
He said as part of the 30th anniversary celebrations, MTN has also been rewarding customers, with three cars presented to winners in the northern sector yesterday and three more final draws expected in Accra, alongside cash prizes and other rewards.
