Accra, August 28, 2009- A  new  internationally acclaimed television quiz programme dubbed “Who Wants To Be Rich” (WWTBR) was launched in Accra today under the title sponsorship of MTN, the leading telecommunications company in Ghana,Aero Contractors and Ecobank

“Who wants to be Rich”  is a general knowledge television programme with a unique presentation flair and attractive cash prizes that has  catapulted  the programme into the record books as a global phenomenon. It is now licensed in an incredible 100 countries with more to follow, making it the biggest TV quiz programme in the world!
The airing of the quiz programme in Ghana is to complement the country’s educational effort with an interesting programme that is entertaining and facilitates learning at the same time.

WWTBR is based on a simple concept of one contestant winning cash a prize as  questions are answers correctly. The cash prize to be won gets bigger with every question answered correctly; with 15 consecutive correct answers winning the contestant Fifty Thousand Ghana Cedi (GH¢50,000)

This show, that debuted on ITV in the United Kingdom (UK) in 1998, has been and remains a major hit in all the countries where it is being shown. These countries include the USA,Saudi Arabia, France, India, Italy, Israel, Holland and South Africa.

The show is filmed in front of a studio audience who are arranged in circular tiers around a theatre in which the action takes place. At the beginning of each show, the host introduces a group of eight contestants where each contestant brings along a friend, partner or relative who sits in the audience and, if the contestant progresses, is periodically shown on camera depicting his or her mood.

The contestants first have to undergo a preliminary round called "Fastest Finger First", where they are all asked to put four items in a particular order. The contestant who does this correctly and in the fastest time goes on to sit in the chair (the "hot seat") and play for the maximum possible prize  as much as GH¢50,000.

Mr George Andah, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN, title sponsors of “who wants to be rich”  said, MTN is pleased to  support the country’s education through such programmes that is not just entertaining but rewarding.

Since its entrance into the Ghanaian market, MTN has invested about 2 million US dollars into socio-economic development projects in the areas of health and education. These include the MTN/UNDP ICT Centre project under which 10 ICT centres are being built across the country, one in each region. The MTN Foundation also recently launched the MTN-AED project in Tamale to increase numeracy and literacy in primary schools in the Northern Region. This project will impact the lives of over 10,000 pupils.

The Chief marketing Officer gave the  assurance that MTN would continue to bring the biggest and best such as ”who wants to be be rich?” as well as provide quality telecommunication  products and services  such as the best connection/clearest voice calls; fastest internet speed/widest 3G coverage; best value, widest coverage and many more to satisfy members of MTN’s  big of 024 and 054 family members.

Shaf Syed the Managing Director of Aero while welcoming guests restated that as a globally successful show that has made many rich all over the world he is sure that many ordinary Ghanaians rich also. Aero has been flying the region since 1959 and now has flights from Accra to Lagos twice a day at great fares which at the moment include a GHc93.10 one way offer exclusive of taxes at www.flyaero.com. Since aviation has always been a catalyst of economic growth WWTBR is another channel for Aero to contribute to the growth of wealth in Ghana.

The MD of Ecobank while unavoidable absent also confirmed that WWTBR is a tool for financial growth which Ecobank is proud to faciliate in Ghana. Ecobank's Africa's global financial leader the sponsorship is a confirmation that Ecobank is truely a socially responsible bank.