Accra, Sept 30, GNA - MTN Ghana, has expressed worry about allegations being made about its apparent unwillingness to issue a short code to the National Patriotic Party (NPP). This is contained in a statement signed by Georgina Fiagbenu, Corporate Communications Senior Manager, Corporate Services Department of the Company, copied to GNA on Thursday in Accra, in reaction to the claims in media reports.

It said MTN, the leading telecommunications provider in Ghana, has reiterated its position that it is a commercial multinational organization that is politically neutral. The statement said 93We believe in and remain committed to working with all stakeholders in deepening Ghana's enviable democracy. "We wish to clarify that MTN Ghana does not typically receive formal requests directly from political parties for the allocation of short codes." The statement said the company's enquiries revealed that all engagements were done with a content provider, an independent contractor providing services to MTN, who was contracted by MTN in March 2011.

It said during Election 2008, MTN reserved and allocated short codes to requesting political parties for similar purposes, without discrimination and in line with the company's neutrality and adherence to due process. The statement said: 93The MTN assures the leadership of the NPP, and indeed any other political party, that short codes are readily allocated once a formal request is made, and subject to availability of the short code. "The 2012 short code is unfortunately unavailable as it has already been assigned for other purposes. There are, however, alternative short codes that could be considered once a formal request is made."

The statement said MTN continued to support journalistic integrity in Ghana and encouraged the media to contact MTN to ascertain facts prior to making any publications. It said: 93To this end, MTN remains amenable to engaging any journalist or any person seeking further clarification on this matter. "MTN wishes to assure all our esteemed Customers of our commitment to contributing our quota to the deepening of democracy, as we continue to focus on providing world class telecommunications services to Ghanaians.