MTN Ghana Foundation Joins The Fight Against Malaria

MTN Ghana Foundation has commemorated this year’s World Malaria Day by supporting a malaria sensitization programme at Glefe, a suburb of Accra.

The programme was organized in partnership with African Media & Malaria Research Network (AMMREN). As part of activities marking the day, residents of Glefe were educated on Malaria prevention whilst MTN staff volunteers distributed 200 Insecticide Treated Mosquito Nets. A special focus was placed on children, pregnant women and nursing mothers since they are at a higher risk of being infected with malaria.

The MTN Ghana Foundation’s participation in World Malaria Day celebration is purposely to support efforts being made globally to fight malaria.

Commenting on the celebrations, the Sustainability and Social Impact Manager for MTN Ghana Foundation, Mrs. Rhoderlyn Entsua-Mensah said “MTN Ghana Foundation joined the campaign because health issues are of interest to the MTN Foundation. We firmly believe that, even though progress has been made over the years in controlling malaria work needs to be done to reduce the risks associated with the disease.”

She said, “Celebrating World Malaria Day gives us the opportunity to add our voices to the call on Ghanaians and relevant agencies to work towards ending Malaria incidences in this country.”

Mrs. Ellen Sam, AMMREN Board Chair and Malaria Focal Person for the Police Hospital expressed her gratitude to MTN Ghana Foundation for joining the campaign against malaria. She called on all Ghanaians and private organizations to emulate the example of MTN Ghana Foundation by supporting the campaign.

World Malaria day falls on 25th April of every year, it is celebrated to recognize efforts being made globally to fight malaria and provide education and understanding of malaria as a global plague that is preventable. This year’s event was held under the theme, “End Malaria for Good.”

Over the years, MTN Ghana Foundation has demonstrated its commitment to the fight against malaria through its staff volunteering initiative. To mark World Malaria Day in 2016, the Foundation distributed 300 ITN’s to Pregnant & Nursing mothers in selected hospitals in Accra, Tamale, Cape Coast and Takoradi.

The MTN Ghana Foundation was established in November 2007 as the vehicle to select and implement MTN’s Corporate Social Investments. MTN Ghana Foundation has three areas of focus -Health, Education and Economic Empowerment. From inception to December 2016, the Foundation had undertaken 140 major projects across the country. Notable health projects include: construction of a Neonatal Care Center for Tamale Teaching Hospital, refurbishment of the 2^ndfloor maternity block of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, construction of a maternity block for Ejisu Government Hospital, and construction of an Emergency Center for Atua Government Hospital. Education projects undertaken include: construction of a boys dormitory for Akropong School for the Blind, construction of a six-unit classroom block for Kodjonya Millennium School, establishment of 10 MTN ICT Learning Centers in each of Ghana’s 10 regions and the institution of an Innovation Hub at KNUST to promote Telecoms Engineering and Research. Key projects undertaken in Economic Empowerment include: the construction of shea butter processing centers, provision of seed capital and skill training for Women of Tizaa Dini Association of Yendi and the Sung Suma Women Association of Wa.