Accra, June 14, GNA - Mobile Telecommunications Network (MTN), as part of its preparations towards taking over of Areeba, intends to establish a foundation, which will serve as the company's umbrella body tasked with the responsibility of handling Corporate Social Responsibilities.

MTN, a telecommunications network operating in 21 countries in West, East, Central and Southern Africa and parts of Asia, is expected to take over local communications giant Areeba in two months.

MTN/Ghana Foundation would be a separate legal entity and will be run by independent individuals with the Chief Executive and Corporate Services Executive of MTN Ghana as the only representatives on the Board of Directors, Ms Mawuena Dumor, Corporate Service Executive of MTN, said at a day's workshop organised for media personnel in Accra.

She said in view of this, MTN as part of its corporate policies would channel one per cent of its profit after tax into the Foundation.

Ms Dumor said the move was part of plans by the Company to re-brand Areeba to MTN.

She said the Foundation would also lay a positive ground for the company and enhance the MTN brand in operating communities. According to Ms. Dumor the foundation would focus on areas such as health and education which were key to their strategic plans. Other areas like economic empowerment, music, arts and culture would also be considered in the near future.

She said the establishment of the Foundation would be preceded by a series of consultations with all major stakeholders such as traditional rulers.

This, she said, will help them execute projects that were relevant to the needs of the Ghanaian community.

Ms. Dumor said the Company was bent on improving the network to enable Ghanaians to enjoy a reliable telecommunications system pointing out that MTN in the last quarter invested 150 million dollars towards upgrading of their network.