Press Release

RT HON. PAUL BOATENG LAUNCHES MTN ICT CENTRES

Accra December 1, 2008 - The MTN Ghana Foundation has launched the MTN ICT Learning Centers at an impressive ceremony held in the capital, Accra.

The project will involve the construction of 10 replicable ICT learning centers in each of the 10 regions of the country. Each centre will be equipped with the following: 20 Computers, 1 Printer, 1 Photocopier, USBs, a digital camera with video capabilities, a Scanner and other products and services. Ten districts, one from each region in Ghana, will benefit from the project.

The Rt Hon. Paul Boateng who performed the launch noted that it is increasingly critical for people across the world to be ICT-literate in order to function effectively in a globalised world. He encouraged corporate institutions in Ghana to lend their support to the important task of bridging the digital divide.

In her welcome address, the Executive Director of the MTN Ghana Foundation Mawuena Dumor said, "being mindful of the responsibilities that come with our leadership role in global telecommunications, MTN has sought to execute on sustainable social development initiatives that would benefit the broad spectrum of Ghanaians everywhere we go".

The Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana Brett Goschen said the main objective of the project is to empower communities through ICT Education. He explained that the ICT Learning Centres will be of immense benefit to students and teachers, business people and members of the beneficiary communities.

MTN Ghana Foundation is committing an amount of six hundred and seventy thousand dollars $670, 000 to the project. The project is being executed in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme and with the support of the Ministries of Education, Science and Sports, Communications, Information and National Orientation.

The launch of the education flagship project, coming after  the commencement of the Health flagship project earlier this year, will bring to full circle MTN's commitment to the areas of Health and Education in the nation's development. It will also pave the way for further roll-out of support programmes in the two main focus areas in subsequent years.

The project was officially launched by the Right Hon. Paul Boateng, a Patron of the MTN-Ghana Foundation. The Right Honorable Paul Boateng is a Ghanaian by birth and has the honour of being the first person of African descent to serve in the British cabinet and also to be elected to the British Parliament. The Right Honorable Paul Boateng has held several positions in the British government and is currently the UK Ambassador to South Africa.

MTN GHANA FOUNDATION UNDERTAKES 21 DAYS OF Y'ELLO CARE 2008 PROGRAMME

Accra May 26, 2008 - MTN Ghana Foundation will launch and undertake the 2008 edition of the 21 Days of Y'ello Care Programme from 1st June, 2008. The programme, which is an MTN annual event, is carried out across all 21 operating units of MTN, and focuses on community-development activities. It has been instituted by the MTN Group to encourage employees of MTN to be personally involved in community development projects to demonstrate MTN's commitment to the well-being of communities in which MTN is operating.

This year's programme will have a broader scope of projects in communities across the entire country. Employees of MTN, including senior management, will work on various projects that have been identified by MTN employees in the various regions, based on the needs of such communities. MTN employees will be working in collaboration with communities, partners, donors, and other stakeholders. According to the Board Chairman of the MTN Ghana Foundation, Prof. Franklin Manu, "MTN will continue to express its commitment to partnering with key stakeholders to provide necessary support to help improve the quality of life of communities in Ghana." This year's programme is expected to create greater impact on communities as a result of the increased number of projects being undertaken.  Projects will be implemented in all the regions.

Some of the activities will include painting of selected schools and hospitals, grassing of football pitches, donations of books, toys and medical supplies. There will also be donations of white canes and radios to the blind school while some selected markets and streets will be cleaned. Some MTN employees will spend time with mothers and babies at selected hospitals.

Employees of MTN will organise motivational sessions for the blind, prison inmates, porters and street children  Some selected streets in the communities will have their potholes filled.

Last year, the Employee Volunteer Association of MTN Ghana EVA, in collaboration with the Ghana Health Services and the Ghana Education Service, undertook landscaping and painting activities at selected schools in Accra, Takoradi, and Kumasi, and also organized a health screening and health walk to educate the public on healthy lifestyles.

MTN LAUNCHES FOUNDATION

Accra November 20, 2007. MTN will formally launch the MTN Ghana Foundation on 23rd November, 2007 at the Accra International Conference Centre. The Foundation will be responsible for managing MTN's Corporate Social Responsibility activities in Ghana.

All operating units of MTN are expected to establish the MTN Foundation, managed by an independent Board of Directors. 1% of profit after tax of each operating unit is required to be used to support community improvement activities. According to the Group President and CEO of MTN, Mr. Phuthuma Nhleko, "By investing in our communities, MTN is creating a better future for the countries in which we operate."

A Stakeholders' Forum to solicit the views of key stakeholders on policy formulation to guide the operations of the Ghana Foundation has already been organized by MTN. MTN has also engaged in discussions across the country about the establishment of the Foundation.

"At MTN, we believe we have a responsibility to give back to the customers and communities that contribute to our success", says Mrs. Nozipho January-Bardill, MTN Group Executive, Corporate Affairs.

The MTN Foundation in Ghana will, for now, focus its attention on two key areas, namely Health and Education, because of their immense contribution to promoting national development.

MTN Ghana Foundation is committed to partner with other key stakeholders to support national efforts at improving the quality of life of the Ghanaian population.