On Monday, 4^th December 2017, the MTN App Challenge version 5.o was officially launched.

The MTN Apps Challenge is a competition that brings app developers, animators and tech enthusiasts together to create projects geared towards revolutionizing the Ghanaian digital landscape.

Briefing guests and pressmen at the MTN Media Centre, David Narh (Manager, MTN Apps Challenge) said this season’s competition will follow last season’s format by accepting entries by participants from senior high schools, tertiary schools, and freelancers to develop apps and solutions in the categories of mobile apps (including games), Internet of Things (IoT), and animated videos.

The Judges for this year’s challenge are Ethel Cofie, Alain Gbeasor, Yaw Boakye and Eyram Tawiah of Leti Arts.

Winners from each category of the Apps Challenge will be part of KatAppult, an initiative by MTN to help participants fine-tune and commercialize their projects. Amatsii, AFRadio, Oware 3D, and Reevulet are some beneficiaries of the KatAPPult initiative.

Throwing more light on the animated videos category, he said participants are tasked to submit 3 episodes of 2D or 3D videos lasting between 3 – 5mins. GHC20,000 is the prize to be won by the Gold Winner.

Just like last year’s event, winners from v5.0 of the Apps Challenge will be part of the KatAppult program which will help participants iterate and commercialize their products.

As part of educating potential participants of the challenge, the MTN Apps Challenge team were at the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) campus to interact with animation students. NAFTI is Ghana’s premiere animation school.

Last season’s animated video category was won by Bertil Toby Svanekiaer with his project, The Bird and The Kite.

• Silver – SkyHigh
• Bronze – Agorkoli by Francis Brown (who was present at the launch)
• Award for Participation – Octopia

How to apply:

• Register via https://appschallenge.mtn.com.gh
• Accept T&C
• Download challenge PowerPoint template
• Submit App, IoT concept or storyboard

Eligibility:

• Participants can enter the competition with one or more projects
• Participants can enter as one of three categories (SHS, Tertiary and Freelance)
• The contest is open to all developers in Ghana
• Local apps available for Android, Blackberry, Windows, and Apple stores can enter the competition
• Previous challenge winners can participate with a new project.

Just like last year, the MTN Apps Challenge will go on a roadshow across Ghana to include more people. The MTN Apps Challenge roadshow will tour various locations including the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST), USD Campus, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and University of Ghana.  (See full schedule here).

It’s curious that the roadshow doesn’t stop at any animation centres within the country. The inclusion of institutions such as NAFTI and Radford University College that teach animation would have better expanded the animation category of the competition by attracting more students. Like I opined about the challenge last year, this again feels like an afterthought. The challenge deserves applause regardless. – KaDi. 

Deadline for registration for the apps challenge is 5th February 2018! Also, animators have to submit their storyboard by 5th February, 2018.

By James Dotse Makumator for Squid Mag. 
 
 

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