Scancom Ltd (MTN Ghana), the leading telecommunications service provider in Ghana, has been adjudged the Overall Best Taxpayer, Large Taxpayer Office for 2014 by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

The GRA praised MTN for being the most compliant in filing of returns and making payments by statutory due dates and recognised the company for exceptional good citizenship and its contribution to national development in terms of tax payments.

MTN Ghana was commended last Friday during an awards ceremony held at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Accra under the theme: "Consolidating Integration, Promoting Growth and enhanced Revenue Mobilization for National Development.”

The event provided GRA the opportunity to pay tribute to leading taxpayers in the country for their contribution to the development of Ghana.

In a citation presented to MTN, the GRA stated, “The telecommunications industry has seen a great deal of competition but with steadfastness, determination and the quest to go everywhere including the nooks and crannies of Ghana, you always keep your head above water. Your efforts at networking with individuals, businesses and organizations in their transactions remain remarkable. Your contribution towards tax revenue over the years has been tremendous, especially in 2014. You were not only the biggest contributor to our tax revenue, but you were the most compliant in filing of returns and making payments by statutory due dates. We are happy doing business with you. For your distinguished role, you are awarded the “Overall Best Taxpayer, Large Taxpayer Office” for 2014.

Receiving the award on behalf of MTN, Senior Manager of Regulatory Affairs, Mrs Eleanor Adzaho-Sarpong, expressed her appreciation to the GRA and stated, “being recognised by the GRA for the third time since the establishment of this awards scheme, is indeed humbling and motivates us to do even better. As an industry leader MTN has always taken seriously our contributions to national development.  We believe this award and our corporate social investments are evidence of MTN’s good corporate citizenship.”

MTN’s contributions to national development also include attendant communications benefits, job creation and corporate social investments. The company has an ecosystem of suppliers and distributors who rely on MTN for the sustainability of their businesses. 

Combined with MTN’s direct employees and employees of these dealers, canvassers, retailers, creative and advertising agencies, event and media agencies, research companies, printing companies, equipment providers, contractors and providers of value added services, MTN estimates it is directly and indirectly responsible for more than 500,000 jobs in Ghana. 

In the area of social investments the MTN Ghana Foundation continues to fund sustainable social projects all over Ghana. Since 2007, the MTN Ghana Foundation has invested GHs 15.5 million in 95 major projects in the areas of education, health, and economic empowerment. Hospital blocks, medical equipment and support, school blocks, ICT centers and job and capacity building projects funded by MTN have impacted the lives of millions of people in all 10 regions of Ghana.

Commenting on the award, the Corporate Services Executive of MTN, Mrs Cynthia Lumor said, “The ecosystem of MTN’s business operates in a way that provides value to our customers, contributes to government revenues, creates jobs, and identifies opportunities for giving back to the community. This award is again dedicated to all our employees for their hard work and dedication, to our business partners who are an important part of what we do, and most importantly our customers who have made this success story possible.”