MTN Ghana Foundation Wednesday commissioned 20 boreholes in 20 communities to improve water supply in the Upper West region. The project which costs GH¢178,800.00 is aimed at benefitting the people living in the Wa East and Lawra districts. The borehole project is one of about eight (8) projects earmarked to be undertaken as part of the 3rd anniversary celebration of the MTN Ghana foundation. The Upper West region is currently facing challenges of potable water supply and as a result, residents depend on unsafe water bodies for their water supply. This lack of access to good drinking water often leads to widespread acute and chronic illnesses. At the launch of the project in Lawra District in the Upper West Region, Mr. Frazier Appeadu Malcolm, MTN Foundation Project Advisor said “MTN is happy to support efforts to provide potable water to the people of the Upper West region as a step towards supporting the government in attaining the Millennium Development Goal of reducing the proportion of people without access to safe drinking water by 2015”. He added that “In ensuring the sustainability of this project to continue serving the people of this region, we are also constituting twenty (20) water point maintenance committees in all the beneficiary communities to maintain the boreholes and educate the people on the need for better hygienic practices.” “The committees will have 100 water and sanitation members (20 for each community) and 20 hygiene educators on personal and environmental hygiene” he further stated. Some of the beneficiary communities include: Goziire-Baapari, Kogle, Daagangn, Tampelle, Bu-Pissing, Dikpe No. 2, and Kuoyukuo-Kulagangn. Others include Tuma, Methow-Buo, Methow Yirpaala, Gbier, Dondomenteng, Kundugu, Kalahi, and Jenkori-Deryiri. Since the launch of the foundation, a number of health projects have been undertaken to improve the socio-economic wellbeing of people living in the communities in which MTN operates. Within this year, it has assisted the Kotokuom and Wassa Dunkwa health posts with medical equipment and has recently commissioned the refurbishment of Kpedze health center in the Volta region. MTN Ghana foundation has received an award as the best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Company of the year at the prestigious Ghana Club 100 awards. MTN Ghana Staff were also adjudged winners of MTN Group’s 100,000 dollar prize for outstanding employee Volunteerism exhibited during the 2010 Yello Care programme. This amount will be used by staff of MTN Ghana to initiate new projects in various communities across the nation. The MTN Foundation was established by the MTN Group Board as the vehicle for effectively administering MTN’s Corporate Social Responsibility contributions. Since its establishment in November 2007 The MTN Foundation has been involved in different social development projects including the launch of two flagship projects. These are the refurbishment of the 2nd floor Maternity block of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and establishment of 10 MTN ICT Learning Centres in all regions of Ghana. Myjoyonline.com/Ghana