GHc4.5m Invested Into MTN-UNICEF Social Intervention

Leading telecommunication network, MTN Ghana in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is spending not less than GHc4.5 million in commitment to their mobile social intervention – Agoo.

Speaking at the Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Accra, Bless Sefenu Agordjo, Senior Manager of Product and Services said the amount would be used in sustaining the programme and ensuring that Ghanaians continue to receive essential information through the platform.

He said the budget caters for the messages that go to subscribers, the software that supports the platform as well as the human resources that work with UNISEF to come out with the various contents.

Being extremely pleased that the service has grown and proven successful from an initial 427 calls a day to over 2000 calls daily, the Chief Marketing Officer at MTN, Mr. Asher Khan said the signing will affirm MTN’s commitment to brightening the lives of Ghanaians.

According to him, “we are in a digital age and this partnership resonates with MTN’s vision of leading the delivery of a bold new digital world.”

“Customers will have ample time to concentrate on their businesses rather than spending lots of time having to physically go to see a professional,” Mr. Khan added.

UNICEF pledges continual support

UNISEF’s representative, Rushnan Murtaza said this initiative stems out of the worrying situations that millions of Ghanaian children go through as a result of being neglected by society.

According to her, 3,600 children under the age of five die out of diarrhoea related diseases and one new-born dies every 15 minutes.

“Currently one girl in every five in Ghana is married before her 18th birthday and the situation is even worse in the northern region,” these statistics she said are shocking and disturbing thus, the responsibility of UNISEF to help salvage the situation.

“We all have a responsibility to these children—Ghana’s next generation of leaders…but we cannot do it alone and that is why this partnership is very timely and important” she added.

Agoo 5100

The platform which started two years aimed at bringing relief and alleviating the fear and anxiety of Ghanaians after the outbreak of Ebola and cholera.

It allowed young people to have access to reliable information via a toll-free number 5100 for MTN users while other mobile network users called for free using 0540118-99.

The latest MoU showed that in addition to the already existing information on Malaria, Avian Influenza, Cholera, Meningitis, Ebola and other diseases, children and young adults can also benefit from tips on sanitation, protection from violence, counselling and other healthy lifestyle tips.

MTN showed expressed appreciation to customers for their loyalty to the brand.

Source: Grace Ablewor Sogbey/ [email protected]