Some residents in the Eastern Regional capital Koforidua are angry over telecommunications company MTN’s neglect in the payment of rates after branding their structures. Some residents from 3 suburbs within the New Juaben Municipality were promised between a cell phone and an unspecified amount of phone credits and cash.
They say in spite of the meagre rates MTN is offering, persistent efforts to get what they are due have yielded no results. Some of them say although they have complained to the offices of MTN yet there has been no positive feedback.
The Residents claim that one of MTN’s contracted branding teams painted their containers about three months ago. Even after they gave in to persistent pressure from the MTN branding team some of the affected residents are threatening to deface the MTN designs while a few are considering repainting their structures to their preferred colours.
Other residents interviewed on the matter expressed surprise at what they considered to be a cheat by MTN. They also complained that the branding teams do not sometimes seek necessary final approval from property owners before painting, a situation that also calls for concerns. They said the National Communications Authority should request for a review of policy guiding the advertising strategies and packages being offered to owners of properties.
They also complained that despite promises to give them MTN branded T-Shirts and other souvenirs, they are yet to receive any of such items. They are therefore calling on the national Communications Authority to intervene in what they consider to be exploitation of the Ghanaian citizenry.
In a response by the Eastern and Volta Region representative for MTN, Francis Gyan, he said he is unaware of any default in the payment of rates. He however conceded that some of the residents were left to be given what was due them, pending further meeting with the true beneficiaries.
Benjamin Henaku,
Koforidua.
benjiforchrist@gmail.com
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