MTN Ghana Foundation supports National Best Teacher Awards

Accra, Sept. 30, GNA - The MTN Ghana Foundation, a global communication group, on Wednesday presented a double cabin Nissan Pick-Up, valued at 37,500 Ghana cedis, to the Ministry of Education as the prize for the first runner-up in this year's National Best Teacher Award.

The presentation, the third since 2007, made the Foundation the single biggest sponsor of the awards for the past three years. The Foundation was established as the vehicle for effectively administering MTN's Corporate Social responsibility contribution. The 15th National Best Awards programme would be held on Monday, October 5 in Ho, Volta Regional capital, to recognise teachers who distinguished themselves through selfless service to the nation. It is under the theme, "Build the Future; Invest in the Teacher Now".

Mr Robert Kuzoe, Acting Executive Director, MTN Ghana Foundation, said their association with the awards dated back to 2007 when it sponsored the Information Communication Technology (ICT) category of the award to the tune of 15,000 Ghana cedis. He said in 2008, the Foundation presented the second runner-up with a Nissan Sunny super saloon car, a year's comprehensive insurance cover and maintenance cost.

Mr Kuzoe said last year, the Foundation spent over two million Ghana cedis on corporate social responsibility, adding this year; they had already exceeded that figure. He pledged the Foundation's commitment to support the Ministry of Education through partnership projects to enhance the quality of education throughout the country. "We believe this sponsorship will further strengthen the relationship between the foundation and the Ministry while giving us the opportunity to recognise and reward hardworking teachers in the country and encourage excellence in academic performance," he said. Mr Alex Tetteh-Enyo, Minister of Education, said the gesture was not only to appreciate teachers' role but signified that the Foundation understood "the wheel of educational system." He commended the Foundation for its continuous support for the sector over the past years and urged it to partner the Ministry to ensure quality education in the country. Mr Tetteh-Enyo said Government would ensure that all children had quality education irrespective of their geographical location and urged parents to honour their part of the obligation by sending their children to school.

"We on our part will endeavour to ensure that we play our part to achieve the goal," he said. The Foundation since its inception in 2007, had refurbished the second floor of the Maternity Block of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and established 10 MTN ICT Learning Centres in all the regions.