Accra, September 29, 2010 - The United Nations has lauded MTN for the role it has played in the fight against malaria in Africa by being one of the first African private sector representatives to contribute to the Global Fund’s malaria projects. The company was lauded during the Champions of Global Health event hosted at the United Nations by the Global Fund.

As part of its sponsorship of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, MTN joined forces with United Against Malaria (UAM) - a coalition of football stars, corporations and governments – in a bid to leverage the power of football to combat malaria. In addition MTN was also the exclusive communications partner of the UAM expedition led by renowned explorer Kingsley Holgate that traversed nine countries in Southern and East Africa to distribute anti-malaria paraphernalia to impoverished communities and raising awareness about the disease.

In Ghana, the MTN 21 Days of Y’ello Care was the main platform the company utilized to drive the United Against Malaria campaign. MTN employee volunteers together with some recognized partners executed a number of activities across the country aimed at driving the UAM campaign. During the period, MTN Ghana Foundation distributed free insecticide treated mosquito nets and organized free malaria tests and treatment. In addition, the Foundation, in partnership with Ghana Broadcasting Corporation organized an MTN “What Do You Know About Malaria” radio and television quiz competition.

In her submission, Mawuena Trebarh, the Executive Director of the MTN Ghana Foundation remarked that “MTN is proud of this recognition given by UN and we will continue to explore appropriate channels, partners and relevant organizations like UAM in our collective goal to eradicate the malaria pandemic in Africa. In this way MTN is contributing to reaching the Millennium Development Goal of reducing malaria deaths to near zero by 2015”.