MOBILE
By Issa Sikiti da Silva in Accra, Ghana
MTN, Africa’s biggest cellphone service provider, seems to be forging ahead towards meeting its corporate social responsibility goals.
The latest example comes from West Africa, in Ghana, where the telecommunications giant recently delivered a state-of-the-art senior high school its Foundation built at the cost of GH¢437 000 (about $136 563).
The newly-inaugurated Owerriman Senior High School, located in the Ashanti Region,was overrun by old age and lack of maintenance. But now, it is a modern two-storey building with 16 rooms for the boys’ dormitory, thanks to MTN.
MTN Ghana Foundation Chairman Prof Franklin Manu said his organisation was committed to implementing sustainable initiatives that would help enrich people’s lives.
MTN Foundation said it has spent more than GH¢14.5million (about $2.7 million) to finance educational and health projects and support economic empowerment projects.
Most Africa’s boarding schools have over the years fallen into a dilapidated state, lacking everything from adequate dormitories, water and sanitation facilities, kitchens, recreation space and sport facilities. Analysts say this is a result of state corruption, financial mismanagement and lack of investment in education.
As if referring to this sad state of affairs, Manu urged the school management to ensure that the building was well-maintained all the time.
MTN operates in 21 countries in Africa and the Middle East.
