MTN presents cheque to GNA for refurbishment of newsroom
MTN, a major telecommunication Operator, on Thursday presented a cheque for GH¢30,114.08 towards the refurbishment of the Ghana News Agency (GNA) newsroom to boost the morale of journalists to serve the nation’s information needs.
This follows an appeal made by the Communication Workers Union (CWU) of the GNA to the company to improve their working environment.
The project, which includes the provision of new desks for all staff of the newsroom and chairs for the editors, polishing of the floor and renovation of the pantry.
Making the presentation, Mrs. Mawuena Trebarh, the Corporate Services Executive of MTN, said the MTN considers it important to support the media such as the GNA because of the common role the media and the telecom sector play towards national development, making business decision and policies and fostering social interaction through the provision of information.
She said the MTN enjoys a longstanding relationship with the GNA and as such supported the agency to train its staff for the 2008 elections and also sponsored two of its employees to South Africa to cover the FIFA 2010 World Cup.
She said the MTN recognizes the GNA as a major partner in the promotion of its business activities as well as the most important sources of news to the nation’s Print, Radio, Television and Online media.
“The MTN Group uses the GNA as its first source of information on national issues before considering any other medium”, she added.
Mrs. Trebarh said the contribution of GNA as the first news agency in Sub-Saharan Africa cannot be overstated and that it is the only Wire Service organisation in the country with nationwide coverage.
She said MTN has the widest coverage of Corporate Social responsibility policy to support individuals and organisations to improve their wellbeing.
Mr. Francis Rex Annan, the Administrative Manager of the GNA, who received the cheque was grateful to the MTN for the support.
He said the financial support was the biggest so far given to the GNA from any corporate organisation.
Dr. Bonnah Koomson, Chairman of the GNA Board, was also thankful to MTN for the sponsorship.
He said the GNA apart from being a National Wire Service, serves as a training ground for journalists and as such any help towards retooling the agency was very much appreciated.
Source: GNA