Accra, June 11, GNA - MTN, a top telecommunication company in Ghana, on Thursday distributed over one thousand treated mosquito nets worth 10 million dollars to residents of Korle-Gonno in Accra. This took place at a forum to sensitize and educate the people about malaria prevention.

The event formed part of the 3rd edition of MTN's annual social responsibility, dubbed "21 days of Y'llo Challenge". It was also part of the company's programme towards the FIFA 2010 World Cup Tournament, which has the theme: Enriching our Communities - Leaving a Sustainable legacy." Mrs Sylvia Arde-Acquah, Public Health Nurse at the Korlebu-Bu Polyclinic, asked the people to keep a clean environment to prevent mosquito parasite from breeding. She said every body risked having malaria but the most vulnerable were the pregnant women and children from zero to five years. Mrs. Arde-Acquah said the disease could cause miscarriage and stunted birth adding, "Let's kill the mosquitoes by whatever means because they kill".

Mr. Eben Albertyn, Chief Technical Officer of MTN, said malaria was one of the deadliest diseases but the easiest way to prevent it was through sound hygienic practices. He said malaria killed almost one million people annually and afflicted as many as half a billion people in Africa. Mr. Ezekiel Doodo, assemblyman for the area, thanked MTN for organising the programme and asked the participants to put into practice knowledge and experience acquired at the forum. 11 June 09