MTN Supports Edina Bakatue

MTN, one of the leading telecommunication companies operating in the country, as part of its corporate social responsibility, has presented a cheque of GH¢5,000, MTN souvenirs and recharge cards worth GH¢1,000 to the Edina Traditional Council in Elmina to facilitate the celebration of this year’s Edina Bakatue by the chiefs and people of the area.

The items, which were donated on Tuesday at the Edinamanhen’s palace, included assorted drinks, hampers, MTN souvenirs, MTN Vuvuzelers and T-shirts.

Presenting the items, the Central and Western Regional Senior Manager of MTN, Samuel Appiah stated that the donation will strengthen the extant relationship between the Edina Traditional Council and MTN.

According to the Regional Manager, MTN, a multinational African company, is aware of the fact that the Edina Bakatue festival, which is slated for the first Tuesday of July, this year, is one of the most popular traditional festivals celebrated in the country.

The festival, he noted, attracts people from all walks of life, adding that it is also a moment to remember past heroes and leaders who fought for the success of Edinaman.

The Regional Manager therefore appealed to the traditional council to help disseminate information on SIM card registration to members of their communities, adding, MTN has made provisions to register the SIM cards of all chiefs in their palaces.

Mr. Appiah revealed that MTN will support activities lined up for the festival such as the grand durbar of chiefs on Tuesday and Saturday, regatta, community football gala and chill zone.

Commenting on the recent announcement by the National Communications Authority (NCA) to end SIM card registration by 30 June without any extension.

Mr. Appiah appealed to the traditional council to support the initiative by informing the people about the need to register their SIM cards, adding that anyone who fails to register his SIM card, will lose the card and all services the company has to offer.

Receiving the items, the Paramount Chief of Edina Traditional Area, Nana Kodwo Conduah VI lauded MTN for the kind gesture and expressed the hope that the donation will go a long way to ensure the success of this year’s Edina 2011 Bakatue Festival.

He however appealed to MTN to extend its initiative of building classroom blocks in communities across the nation to boost education to the area, adding that Elmina has produced great scholars for the nation but cannot perform well in examinations currently though the teachers are doing their best.

Nana Conduah VI therefore called on stakeholders, individuals and benevolent organizations to support the festival to become a memorable one.
From Desmond K. Dapaah, Elmina