The Makola Market in Accra erupted into cheers and excitement as Reverend Samuel Yaw Essel, a 52-year-old former banker and reverend minister, received the grand prize of GH?1.2 million to climax the Telecel 2Moorch Money Promo.

The Kumasi-based pastor beat millions of subscribers to emerge the winner and become Ghana’s newest millionaire in the grand draw, marking the end of a four-month nationwide cash rewards campaign by the telecommunications operator.

Over the course of the campaign, Telecel Ghana rewarded over 14,000 Telecel customers with GH?4.5 million in total cash prizes for daily, weekly, and grand draw winners across the length and breadth of Ghana. Every draw was supervised independently by the National Lottery Authority under their Caritas platform, ensuring fairness and transparency.

For the recently ordained pastor, the win felt divinely orchestrated. “Two weeks before the call came, I had a dream. I saw my late father holding a bag full of money. He said he came to give it to me. When I woke up, I prayed and wrote it in my diary. I didn’t know how God would do it, but He did,” Rev. Essel recounted.

When the official call from Telecel came through, Rev. Essel initially dismissed it as a scam, a reaction shaped by a painful experience. “I have fallen victim to scammers before so when Telecel called, I was skeptical. I only believed it when I confirmed the number from their website. That was when I knew it was real and I just shouted, ‘God has done it.”

After over two decades in banking, from the defunct First Allied Savings and Loans to Okomfo Anokye Rural Bank, Reverend Essel resigned in 2022 to answer what he describes as a divine call to ministry. Today, he pastors at Great Commission Church International and runs a small microcredit business in Kumasi.

“I entered a covenant with God. I was struggling to complete a building project, and I told Him if He helped me, I would give back to His work. This prize is an answered prayer and proof that God listens,” the father-of-three said.

He plans to use the money to complete his home, expand his microcredit business, invest in his children’s education, and fulfill his tithe pledge to God. “I have learned from my mistakes in the past. I will invest wisely this time. My story is a message to the youth: use money with wisdom, respect everyone, and trust in God’s timing.”

Over the past four months, the Telecel 2Moorch Money Promo has lived up to its promise of rewarding loyalty and spreading joy across the country. From the market women of Wa to students in Takoradi, artisans in Tamale, and teachers in Sunyani, the campaign reached and rewarded Ghanaians from all walks of life.

Each day since the launch in June, 120 customers won GH?100 and up to 10 customers took home GH?20,000 each week, all directly paid into their Telecel Cash wallets.

“This campaign is a celebration of customer loyalty, trust and the Ghanaian spirit. The Telecel 2Moorch Money promo has shown that opportunity can reach everyone, everywhere. Beyond rewarding customers, we will continue to invest in better connectivity, innovation, and inclusive experiences that make every Ghanaian feel part of the Telecel story,” said Aneth Muga, Director of Consumer Business at Telecel Ghana.

Speaking at the presentation, marketing officer of the National Lottery Authority, Bright Ofori said the telco has shown great fairness and transparency in all their dealings throughout the course of the promo. “From the first draw to the grand draw, Telecel Ghana has ensured that each single one was fair, open, and done under our oversight responsibility.”

Last year, Telecel Ghana rewarded young nursing student, Ellen Oparebea Akoi, GH?1 million when she emerged grand prize winner in the More Money Promo. This year, by raising the stakes to GH?1.2 million, Telecel deepened its impact and reaffirmed its promise to reward everyday Ghanaians in extraordinary ways.

As Makola traders erupted into cheers, Rev. Essel stood holding his ceremonial cheque with the GH?1.2 million hitting both his Telecel Cash wallet and bank account.

“I never dreamt of this day. I am just grateful to God and to Telecel. I don’t know anybody at Telecel and have no contact with anyone. Telecel is a genuine business, so every Ghanaian should show interest in their products and every promo they launch now or in the future.”