Normally, around this season, traditional authorities across the country are or have celebrated their festivals, and as usual MTN Ghana would have supported in-kind and cash to make it a memorable one. The annual festive occasion across the country has been suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic.
But this has not stopped MTN Ghana from being a responsible partner to the traditional authorities. The mobile telecommunication company today made some donations of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other sanitary items to the Sanzule Traditional Council, in the Western REgion.
The items donated including; 80 packs of sanitizers, 150 face masks, 50 face shields, 4 packs of tissue papers, 3 veronica buckets, and 10 gallons of liquid soap.
Regional Senior Manager, South West Business for MTN Ghana, Prince Owusu Nyarko disclosed that but for COVID-19 the company had wished to once again demonstrate its commitment to traditional festivities, this year. He intimated that despite the constraints posed by the pandemic, MTN Ghana has been very responsive in supporting the government and partners fight the viral disease in order to save lives.
“As a business, MTN Ghana has demonstrated its commitment to see Ghana overcome this pandemic by contributing significantly to augment the government of Ghana’s efforts. MTN Ghana contributed well over 80,000 PPE to health workers across the country, supported the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research with relevant office equipment, zero rated hundreds of educational sites and provided tips on COVID-19 prevention via SMS.”
He noted that the company anticipates the coming year will be free of the novel coronavirus such that normalcy could be restored.
“In normal times we would have been here to support the organization of traditional festival, but as fate may have it 2020 is a different year. That notwithstanding, we believe COVID 19, has given us an opportunity to demonstrate our concern for this community beyond celebrations. We are hopeful that come 2021, we will be able to have our usual fun and joyful festive occasions,” he stated.
Mr. Owusu Nyarko stressed that the support to traditional authorities lies within their national objective of empowering communities fight the COVID-19 pandemic. He argued that the recent surge in case counts requires an aggressive but positive behavioral change to eradicate the virus.
“As our traditional partners, we deemed it a necessity to support your efforts at fighting the spread of the virus in this community. Even though Ghana had been largely successful in the fight over the past few months, the past few weeks have seen a steady rise in the numbers again due to people not adhering strictly to the protocols. The steady rise underscores our presence here today as we cannot rest on our laurels but continue in our strife to fight the spread of the virus.”
He prayed that the traditional authorities will utilize the resources provided and help fight the spread of the virus.
This donation will be replicated in the Oguaa, Effutu, Esikado, Tarkwa Nsuaem and Agona Amanfi Traditional councils.