MTN Fight Ebola, Cholera

The MTN billboard with the health safety tips.

MTN, leading telecommunication company in Ghana, in partnership with UNICEF has launched a campaign aimed at driving awareness for the need to pursue cleanliness to avoid Ebola and cholera.

The company had, therefore, employed effective communication strategies such as mounting of billboards with information on health safety tips at vantage points to reach out to the target audience.

Some of the huge branded billboards could be seen at the Coca Cola Roundabout on the Spintex Road, John Evans Atta Mills High Street, among other places.

Cynthia Lumor, Corporate Services Executive, in a statement issued in Accra said MTN had employed the use of bulk SMS messaging to get the message on the Ebola directly to members of the public.

She said the message sent is one that reinforces the seriousness of the disease and the need to be health conscious.

'The consequences of the outbreak are so worrying and frightening that governments far from the immediate area of infection are showing concern and taking precautions.

'Ghana, which is in the neighbourhood of the catchment area, has not recorded any outbreak and the government is making every effort to prevent the virus from entering the country,' Mrs Lumor said.

She said the authorities have reportedly put measures in place to deal with any infection showing up in the country.

Mrs Lumor said MTN had internally conducted preventive education for its management and staff since the outbreak of the disease.

A campaign, she said, was launched by the Human Resource Division which provided insights into how the disease works through SMS, emails and through posters in bathrooms and offices while all offices have been provided with hand sanitisers.

Mrs Lumor said, 'Ebola is real and it kills fast. Always wash your hands with soap under running water. It protects you from Ebola and many diseases.'

By Cephas Larbi
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