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3rd JoyNews Impact Makers Awards winner Geoffrey Kwame Buta shining a light through a lens of inclusion
It was a night of inspiration, resilience, and recognition at the third JoyNews Impact Makers Awards, held on Saturday, June 28, at the Ecobank Head Office in Accra Central.
Ten outstanding individuals from across Ghana were honoured for their extraordinary contributions to transforming vulnerable communities.
Among them stood Geoffrey Kwame Buta, a staff photojournalist with the New Times Corporation, publishers of The Spectator and The Ghanaian Times, whose work continues to break new ground in disability inclusion through visual storytelling.
Buta, a multiple award-winning photojournalist, was recognised for his pioneering initiative Foto4Change, which trains deaf students in visual storytelling.
His passion for empowering the marginalised took a transformative turn when he donated cameras and accessories and initiated a training programme at the Savelugu School for the Deaf in the Northern Region.
What began as a simple gesture of kindness blossomed into a powerful platform for amplifying unheard voices-giving students with hearing impairments the tools to tell their own stories, free from bias, and to pursue creative professions.
To date, Foto4Change has impacted students in five deaf institutions: Savelugu, Gbeogo, and Wa Schools for the deaf in Ghana; and at Harare Polytechnic and the Deaf Zimbabwe Trust in Zimbabwe, where two deaf students are currently studying Mass Communication.
“The deaf and hearing-impaired communities have powerful, emotional, and inspiring stories to tell. They only need the tools and the opportunity.
Foto4Change is a bridge to that future,” Geoffrey said after receiving his award.
He expressed profound gratitude to the team at Foto4Change and the Multimedia Group, particularly Joy FM, for creating a platform that recognises and uplifts changemakers whose work often goes unnoticed.
“This platform not only shines a light on our efforts but inspires us to keep going,” he noted. “It also sends a message to organisations and individuals that supporting people with disabilities is a responsibility we must all share.”
Buta also called for greater support both financial and technical for grassroots initiatives working with the deaf and visually impaired communities.
“With mentorship, access to tools, and consistent training, these young talents can grow into world-class professionals,” he added.
Surrounded by family, friends, and supporters, Buta encouraged fellow changemakers not to underestimate the ripple effects of their efforts.
“Whatever you’re doing in your small corner is contributing to something bigger,” he reminded the audience.
The JoyNews Impact Makers Awards, now in its third year, continues to be a beacon of hope and national celebration for unsung heroes who are quietly reshaping Ghana’s landscape in education, health, social welfare, and sanitation.
From life-saving initiatives in cancer care to Buta’s innovative work with the hearing-impaired, each awardee’s journey reminded the nation that true impact often begins where the spotlight rarely shines.
For Geoffrey Kwame Buta, the lens is a medium for justice, inclusion, and lasting change for people with disability.
For the first time in its seven-year history, the celebrated Guinea Fowl Bazaar has been brought to Accra, marking a significant expansion of an event that has, for the past six years, been a staple in Tamale.
The two-day cultural and culinary festival, held from May 1–2, drew over 500 patrons and featured nearly 20 vendors, to promote Northern Ghana’s rich food culture particularly guinea fowl delicacies.
Hosted by By Faith Catering Services, the bazaar brought together traditional leaders, cultural groups, food entrepreneurs, and government representatives in a display of heritage and enterprise.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Angelo Dogbe, the Northern Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority underscored the importance of promoting indigenous cuisine as a tool for economic development and cultural preservation. Chiefs from the Northern Region also graced the occasion, lending traditional authority and reinforcing the cultural significance of the festival.
A major highlight of the bazaar was a series of captivating cultural performances representing the diverse tribes of the Northern Region. Attendees were treated to traditional music, dance, and attire, transforming the venue into a lively tapestry of Northern identity and pride.
Vendors expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to showcase their products to a new audience in the capital. Many noted increased visibility, networking opportunities, and strong sales throughout the two-day event.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of By Faith Catering Services, Mrs. Matilda Zenabu Pipio described the Accra edition as a strategic move to broaden the reach of the festival and create new economic pathways for vendors and producers from the north.
She announced plans to make the Accra bazaar an annual event, emphasizing its potential to boost employment, promote guinea fowl production, and introduce more Ghanaians to the unique flavours of Northern cuisine.
She said, the event is a platform for cultural exchange, economic empowerment, and national unity through food.
She commended partners and called on more organisers to support and invest in initiatives like this.
Meanwhile, the organizers of Guinea fowl Bazaar paid a courtesy call to the Editor of Spectator, Mrs. Georgina Naa-Maku Quaittoo and Mr. David Adadevoh, Acting Editor of The Ghanaian Times.
Both editors lauded the initiatives and encouraged the organizers to sustain it.
Organizers for the initiative and called on stakeholders and cooperate bodies to support this good course.
By Geoffrey Buta.
MTN Ghana has hosted more than 200 students from various educational institutions in Accra for an engaging, hands-on technology immersion at MTN House, bringing classroom theory to life and fueling interest in STEM and digital innovation.
Students from Ashesi University, Ghana International School, Cradle Star Academy, and Kinderland School explored MTN Ghana’s rich history, core values, customer-focused innovations, and digital transformation agenda.
They were introduced to the company’s sustainability and social impact initiatives, spanning education, youth empowerment and community development. A key highlight of the visits was a tour of MTN Ghana’s Network Operations Centre (NOC) and data centres.
The students gained first-hand exposure to the advanced technology, systems, and expertise powering seamless connectivity for millions daily – offering a rare look into how MTN ensures network performance, security, and resilience.
Speaking on the initiative, the Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer at MTN Ghana, Adwoa Wiafe, noted, “Hosting students at MTN House reflects our commitment to shaping Ghana’s digital future. As we deliver our Ambition 2030 strategy, we are deepening investments in youth development through programmes like the Bright Scholarship, the MTN Digital Skills Academy, and collaborations on the One Million Coders Programme and the Girls in ICT initiative led by the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation.”
Paschal Paaga, Manager for IT Projects Implementation, emphasised the importance of experiential learning.
‘’By opening our doors, we are helping to bridge the gap between academia and industry. We want young people to see the real-world impact of technology and be inspired to pursue careers in STEM.”
For many participants, the experience was transformative. Maame Sapomaa, a Level 300 Information Systems student from Ashesi University, shared, “The visit was incredibly inspiring. Everything we have learned in the classroom came to life, and we were exposed to new concepts beyond our studies. It has motivated me even more to pursue a career in technology.”
As MTN Ghana advances its Ambition 2030 vision, the company remains committed to driving digital inclusion, platform-led innovation, and building strategic partnerships that support Ghana’s long-term socio-economic development.
