Ghana’s
telecommunications leader, MTN, continues to be the pacesetter for others to
follow in an industry that is increasingly becoming more sophisticated and
keenly competitive. The telecom giant, by the end of third quarter of, 2012,
controlled about half of the mobile phone market with a subscriber base of
11million registered users. To show
appreciation to a country that has contributed to the success of its business,
MTN has planned and is implementing a sustainable initiative aimed at giving
back to the people of Ghana in the areas of health, education, entertainment,
sports and economic empowerment.
In 2007, The
MTN Ghana Foundation was established as a single purpose vehicle to drive all
MTN's Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives in the country. The
Foundation was set up as a separate legal entity with its own independent Board
of Directors and patrons who oversee the operations of the Foundation and it
manifests its commitment to the socio-economic development of the country by
improving the quality of people's lives through appropriate and sustainable
social interventions in communities where it operates.
Since then,
the MTN Ghana Foundation has invested over GH¢9.38 million into ICT, health,
education and Economic Empowerment projects across the country.
Improving
access to ICT
The Ghana
ICT for Accelerated Development (ICT4AD) Policy represents the Vision for Ghana
in the information age. It is based on the Policy Framework Document: “released
in March 2003. The development of this policy framework document was based on a
nation-wide consultative process involving all key stakeholders in the public
sector, private sector and civil society.
The Ghana
ICT for Accelerated Development (ICT4AD) Policy Statement fully takes into
account the aspirations and the provisions of key socio-economic development
framework documents including: the Vision 2020 –The First Steps; the Ghana
Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS) (2002 -2004) and the Co-ordinated Programme
for Economic and Social Development of Ghana (2003-2012)
The Policy
Statement sets out the road map for the development of Ghana’s information
society and economy and provides a basis for facilitating the socio-economic
development of the country in the emerging information, knowledge and
technological age. The policy is aimed at addressing a number of developmental
challenges facing the country.
To fulfil
this dream and realising that ICT education was a challenge in the country, MTN
and its partner UNDP took up the challenge to complement government’s efforts
in that area. This initiative is in support of efforts to bridge the digital
divide between the served and underserved communities and also to support the
implementation of the mandatory ICT component of Ghana’s new educational
reform. MTN has invested in 10 ICT centers of learning with one in each
selected beneficiary communities in all 10 regions of Ghana.
In July,
this year, The MTN Ghana Foundation in collaboration with the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) commissioned an ICT Center of Learning at
Techimantia in the Brong Ahafo Region at a cost of US $ 100,000.00.
The ICT
centre furnished with 22 desktop computers, 1 laptop, a projector, colour
printer, photocopier, scanner and digital camera along with the requisite
furniture, serving about 43 schools in the Tano South District. About 30 of
these schools form the Techiman and Dormaa cluster of schools. Businesses in
and around Techimantia are also expected to benefit from the availability of
the ICT Centre.
The
Techimantia ICT centre is part of a number of centers that have been rolled
out. The grand commissioning of the first of the 10 ICTs was held at Ningo in
the Greater Accra Region in August 2011 by Rt. Hon Paul Boateng, a patron of
the MTN Ghana Foundation. This was followed by that of Nyinahin in the Ashanti
Region in September 2011. The total cost of the 10 ICT projects is US $
1,000,000.00. This has modernized the learning of most children in these
communities.
Building
schools and Educational facilities
In line with
the broader objective of MTN’s corporate social responsibilities, critical
interventions have been made beyond the establishment of the ICT centres. Some
of the projects include the construction of three separate six-classroom blocks
at AkimNtronang, Kodjonya Presby and Asempaneye schools, as well as a
three-year support package for the Akropong School for the Blind that includes
funding for a modern computer Lab, a three-storey boys’ dormitory and a
33-seater bus.
MTN Ghana
acknowledges that quality education can only be attained through the provision
of the requisite infrastructure to enhance effective teaching and learning. It
is in this regard that, MTN Ghana Foundation commissioned a three unit
classroom block and a library for Akatsi D/A Basic School and Tsito Senior
Technical High School respectively.
Durbars were
held in both schools to mark the commissioning of the two projects. The Tsito
Senior Technical High School Library was the first to be commissioned on 23rd
February this year, followed by the commissioning of the school block at Akatsi
the next day. The lack of adequate infrastructure in these schools were brought
to the attention of the MTN Ghana Foundation through Madam Alice
Gligui-Denueme, the first runner-up for the 2008 National Best Teacher Awards
and other community members. Prior to this provision, the Akatsi D/A Basic
School held classes for some pupils under trees.
MTN has
taken a stand to motivate teachers in Ghana through our consistent support of
the National Best Teachers’ Award for the past five years. MTN Ghana Foundation
has been the highest corporate contributor during these years with the
sponsorship of the ICT category of the award. The main motivation has been to
ensure that the annual ceremony to acknowledge the hard work and sacrifice of
teachers is not only sustained but also befitting rewards are provided for
deserving teachers and educational workers. This reason
explains MTN’s continuous and increasing contribution from GH¢15,000.00 in
2007, to over 40,000 this year.
Improving
access to Healthcare
The MTN
Foundation also considers the health care needs of the people. In this regard,
the Foundation donated incubators to the Kwahu Government Hospital and the Neo
Natal Intensive Unit (NICU) of KNUST hospital, worth ¢12,500 each to help save
the lives of pre-term babies. This follows earlier provisions of medical
equipment to the Kotokuom and Wassa Dunkwa Health Centers as well as the
refurbishment of the maternity block of the Effia Nkwanta Government Hospital
in Takoradi.
In May this
year, MTN Ghana Foundation cut the sod for the construction of a maternity
block for Ejisu Government Hospital at the cost of GH¢ 240,000.00.
The project,
which commenced in early June, is expected to be completed in November 2012. It
comprises the construction and equipping of a maternity block, labour ward,
lying in ward, resting room for the doctors and nurses as well as an area for
antenatal clinic, which would serve about 75,000 people from Ejisu and its
environs.
Some other
health projects undertaken by the Foundation include the refurbishment of the
2nd Floor of the Korle Bu Maternity Block, construction of an Intensive Care
Unit at the Princess Marie Louise Children’s hospital and refurbishment of the
Kpedze Health Center. These facilities have and will continue to help save the
lives of many people in Ghana.
Alternative
Livelihood Program
Providing
alternative livelihood to the physically challenged in the country, MTN Ghana
presented tricycles through its Alternative Livelihood Project. This forms part
of MTN’s enriching lives.. MTN believes in the ability of every one to achieve
great success given the chance and the requisite tools. The project was valued
at GHC468, 882.00. This is a good investment as it will enrich the lives of
beneficiaries.
Through the
Alternative Livelihood Project, MTN has distributed 150 motorized tricycles to
the disabled for use in high traffic locations across the country. The tricycles
are powered by solar enabled panels which among other things will provide power
for charging of customer handsets. It serves as sales points for airtime and
SIM cards as well as Mobile Money services.
Preserving
Ghanaian culture through Festival support
MTN has
associated itself with festivals in the country over the years because it
recognizes the need to celebrate the achievements of the ancestors, offer
thanksgiving to God and foster enriched partnership with the communities.
Some of the
festivals include Odwira, Ohum, Oguaa FetuAfahye, Asafotufiam and Kwahu Easter
festivals. Others are Kundum, Asolgi, Kob-bine Bakatue and Aboakyir festivals.
MTN’s support has been in the form of cash, drinks and sponsorship of major
events of the celebrations such as the grand durbars, football gala, regatta as
well as health screening. Through such support, the company has helped to
educate the present generation about the rich and diverse cultures in Ghana,
their relevance and why such good practices should be lived and instilled into
future generations.
As the MTN
Ghana Foundation enters its fifth year if its existence, Ghanaians can look
forward to the future with hope knowing that the company will continue to
invest in education, health and economic empowerment.
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