MTN invests GHC400.000 on development projects in Central Region

MTN

Elmina (C/R) May 18, GNA - MTN Telecommunication Company has over the past six years invested about GH¢400.000.00 under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme on development projects in the Central Region.

The projects include an ICT centre at Ankaful Prisons, a six classroom block with an office, store and ICT centre at Srafa Immuna community, renovation of the children's ward of Twifo- Praso Government Hospital and the reroofing of the University of Cape Coast library.

Mrs Cynthia Lumor Corporate Service Executive of MTN made this known during an Editors Forum attended by 30 editors and senior journalists in the Central Region at Elmina to inform them of the achievements, challenges and way forward of the company.

She said nationwide, MTN has invested GH¢11 million on its CSR and more than 75 projects have been executed under it.

These include 50 projects in the education sector and 25 in the health sector as well as the sponsorship of about 15 festivals.

Mrs Lumor said MTN has also started a pilot project in economic empowerment nationwide, under which small scale businesses and individuals are given financial support as well as education on financial management, book and record keeping.

The Corporate Service Executive said her outfit would continue to contribute to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country, explaining that 10 per cent of government's revenue come from the telecommunication industry.

She said MTN alone contributes 6.9 per cent to the GDP, making the company the biggest tax payer in the industry.

Mrs Lumor said despite the fact that it is the vision of the company to deliver a bold digital service to its customers and also improve upon its network service, its efforts are being thwarted by the numerous fibre cut describing the situation as the biggest challenge threatening MTN's fibre expansion plan in the country.

According to her, in 2011 MTN experienced a total of 140 fibre cuts and 349 in 2012, which leads to poor network services.

She said the situation is getting worse by the day and as a result, budgets approved for more fiber roll out eventually have to be spent in fixing cut or damaged cables.

She said road construction, small scale mining and bush burning have contributed largely to the fibre cuts.