Ghana Telecommunication Chamber Telecom kenneth.ashigbey December 15, 2017 0 Comments

MTN loses $5.4 million in stolen batteries from nationwide installations

Mobile Telecommunications Network (MTN) Ghana, has from 2014 to 2017, has incurred a loss of five point four million Dollars in respect of the value of batteries stolen from its installations across the country.

The Technical Manager of MTN Ghana in charge of Bono-Ahafo, Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions, Joseph Kwadwo Addai dropped the hint at the 2017 Stakeholders’ and Media Forum at Wa in the Upper West Region.

He however, added that the company has resorted to buying MTN-branded batteries to mitigate the theft at its facilities.

Mr. Addai observed that fiber cut which is one of the challenges facing MTN has reduced, saying in 2016 there were 698 fiber cuts but in 2017 494 had been recorded.

According to GBC’s Emmanuel Mensah-Abludo, it came to the fore at the forum that a multi-prong approach ranging from “strategic alignment”, “fiber relocation and preventive maintenance” to “fiber aerial solutions” had been adopted to surmount the challenges relating to fiber cuts.

The Technical Manager of MTN Ghana announced among others that in connection with “fiber aerial solutions”, problematic locations like rivers, drains and mining enclaves, optical fiber cables are laid overhead whilst enhanced and effective stakeholder engagements deal with the fiber cut menace through “strategic alignment”.

Mr. Addai told the forum that MTN is physically present in all the eleven districts in the Upper West Region.

The Acting Corporate Services Executive, Mrs Georgina Fiagbenu pointed out that MTN is delivering a bold new digital world with state-of-the art technology to enable us to undertake multiple tasks within a short space of time.

Giving an overview of MTN Ghana Foundation’s projects, Mrs. Fiagbenu said the Foundation which is marking its 10th anniversary has executed 142 projects, 80 in education, 50 in health with the remaining 10 projects being economic development oriented ones.

The projects valued at 13 million, 456 thousand and 375 Dollars had impacted four million people directly and indirectly.

The Area Sales Manager for the three Regions of the North, Kwasi Osei Hyeaman gave security tips to mobile money account holders.

He warned that people should not share their PIN code(s) with anyone or authorize any transaction they have not initiated.

Mr. Hyeaman continued that customers should not entertain calls concerning their mobile money account adding that under no circumstance will MTN call a customer in respect of his or her PIN code.

The Wa District Police Commander, ASP Vincent Appiah advised mobile money operators to as a security measure, collect monies in respect of transactions members of the public want do at their joints before effecting those transactions to avoid fraud.

MTN Ghana team gave a T-shirt and a water bottle as well as five recharge cards worth 37 Cedis 50 pesewas as a token present to each of the participants outside the MTN fraternity.