Accra, Nov. 11, GNA - MTN, a mobile telecommunication service provider in Africa and the Middle East on Tuesday presented communication equipment valued at 239,050 Ghana cedis to the Electoral Commission (EC) in support of Election 2008.

The equipment, included 900 mobile handsets for distribution among EC officials across the country, 900 Starter Packs; 82,520 cedis post-paid airtime, 24 GPRS modems bulk nationwide broadcast worth 114,000 cedis and a Closed User Group communication. "The corporate donation is made to support the very important use of mobile telecommunications to facilitate exchange of information between election officials and indeed all Ghanaians through MTN network before, during and elections," Ms. Mawuena Dumor MTN Corporate Service Executive stated at the presentation ceremony in Accra. She said the company in collaboration with EC would deploy mobile telecom cell sites, especially at highly populated electoral areas for anticipated additional capacity requirements.

"We will also continue to work closely with the relevant permitting agencies responsible for allowing us to add on capacity to existing infrastructure to do so expeditiously in both urban and rural areas where those will be required," she said. On the need for peaceful elections, Ms Dumor said the MTN acknowledged the linkages between sustenance of enabling environment for pursuance of national development to the conduct of peaceful elections. "We at the MTN like everyone else are desirous to support peaceful elections and are eager to work with all Ghanaian stakeholders to support the efforts to deepen democracy and good governance in Ghana," Ms. Dumor noted.

Mr David Adeenze Kangah, EC Deputy Commissioner in- Charge of Finance and Administration who accepted the donation of behalf of the Commission pledged EC's commitment to conducting peaceful, transparent, free and fair elections.

He therefore urged all democratic stakeholders' especially political parties, media practitioners, security agencies, and the electorate to play according to the rules governing elections in the country. "No body should usurp the powers of the Commission, or arrogate to itself powers and functions that does not fall within its ambit of operations.we must all be guided by our professional code of conduct," Mr Kangah stated.

He commended MTN for the single largest corporate sponsorship towards Election 2008 and called on other corporate bodies to support the relevant bodies to deliver.

Mr Kangah also commended other corporate bodies, local and international partners and non-governmental organizations for their singular and corporate support for Election 2008. The presentation ceremony was witnessed by Mr Albert Kofi Arhin, EC Director of Elections, EC staffs, MTN officials, representatives of political parties, and democratic institutions. 11 Nov. 08