Ghana@50: Globacom donates 1billion Cedis

Ghana’s Minister of Presidential Affairs, Mr Kwawo Mpiani, has proclaimed Globacom Limited, Africa’s fastest growing telecommunication network, as a credible and good corporate citizen that should be invited to invest in Ghana, just as he commended the company for donating one billion cedis to Ghana’s historic 50th Independence Anniversary.

At a presentation ceremony held at the presidential Castle, Osu, Accra on Thursday, Mr Mpiani who doubles as the Chief of Staff at the Presidency, thanked Globacom for its generous donation to Ghana’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebration even though it has not started operating in Ghana.

Mr. Mpiani who is also the Chairman of the National Planning Committee of the 50th Independence Anniversary, said he was particularly impressed with Globacom’s operational achievements within just three and half years in operation.

“We have investigated you and confirmed that you are a credible organisation. I am happy to note the rapid progress made by your company within such a short time. This is a rare achievement and yours is the kind of corporate citizens that should be invited to invest in Ghana,” he said.

He pledged the support of the people and government of Ghana to Globacom. Globacom’s Head of New Markets and Special Projects, Mr. Yinka Olafimihan who presented the cheque of one billion cedis to the Chief of Staff on behalf of Globacom Chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr, said the donation, “Is a token of our love and admiration to the government and good people of this great country. We believe that we do not have to wait till we launch our operation in Ghana before contributing our own little quota to your celebrations.”

He commended the government and people of Ghana for nurturing peace and tranquility in the country and for their friendly disposition towards investors. “We wish to note that since we expressed our interest to do business in Ghana, we have been accepted with open arms by both the people and government. “Let us assure you that we see Ghana as home. We want to be an integral part of your life as we have been in Nigeria in the past three and half years,” Olafimihan told the Chief of Staff.

Earlier, Globacom had also donated US$50,000 to the CAN 2008 Business Club in Accra as a modest contribution towards the successful hosting of the 2008 African Cup of Nations by Ghana.

Globacom Limited began operation in Nigeria in August 2003 as the country’s second national telecommunications carrier. In line with its vision of building the biggest and most efficient telecommunications network in Africa, Globacom quickly deployed its world class telecommunications infrastructure across Nigeria, crashing the cost of telephony in the country and introduced innovative products and services.

Regarded as Nigeria’s most innovative telecommunications company, Globacom raised the bar on value propositions for subscribers by introducing onto the market a bouquet of products and services, including Per Second Billing, Mobile Internet and Blackberry. The network has also successfully conducted a 3G trial. Over the past three and a half years, Globacom has endeared itself to Nigerian telecommunication subscribers as a compassionate and socially responsible corporate entity with a strong tradition of giving back to the society.

The company sponsored the 2003 All Africa Games held in Nigeria even when it had not fully launched its operations in the country and is currently the official sponsor of the Nigerian Premier League (christened The Globacom Premier League). Globacom is also the official sponsor of all the national teams of Nigeria and it recently took up the responsibility of paying the salary of Mr. Berti Vogts, the new Technical Director of the Super Eagles from now till the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

All these factors contributed towards making Globacom the fastest growing telecommunications network in Africa, serving over 12 million subscribers across Nigeria.

The company took over the sponsorship of CAF’s Annual Awards ceremony in 2005 and has since transformed the event into the biggest sports fiesta on the continent.

The prestigious continental 2006 GLO-CAF Awards was incorporated into the itinerary of Ghana’s 50th anniversary celebrations earlier in February when Ghana at 50 Chairman, Dr. Charles Wereko-Brobby met with Globacom’s Director of Promotions, Events & Sponsorship, Mr. Folu Aderibigbe.

The main GLO-CAF Awards event, slated for March 1, 2007 at the Accra International Conference Centre, will be graced by the Presidents of the Republic of Ghana, Nigeria, Togo and Benin Republic, stars as well as the awards nominees and the CAF President, Alhaji Issa Hayatou and his executive committee members.