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 is 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.