Blay & Associates award on display
Blay and Associates, Ghana’s leading corporate and commercial legal entity, has received the award for best Consultancy of the Year at the 10th edition of the Ghana Corporate Social Responsibility Excellence Awards (GHACEA) held in Accra on Friday, October 27, 2023.
The firm, which was incorporated in 1926 as one of the first Ghanaian-owned law chambers, stood tall above other firms nominated in the competitive categories, taking home the enviable award of Corporate Social Responsibility Consultancy of the Year.
The legal firm established by the late Robert Samuel Blay (RS Blay) as Nzema Chambers received an award plaque and a citation which acknowledged its commitment in the discharge of its corporate social responsibility, as well as serving as a cradle to a number of known lawyers, which has led to contributions towards the development of the nation.
The awards, organised by the Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability (CSR) West Africa, a leading CSR and Sustainability advocacy organisation in the West African sub-region in collaboration with the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) and other partners honoured a number of CSR entities in the country.
They include Lumiere Group – CRS Community Development of the Year, Vodafone – CRS Health and Telecommunication of the Year, and Fidelity Bank – CSR Bank, while Julian Opuni of Fidelity Bank won CEO of the Year.
Others are Vivo Energy – CSR Company, CSR Initiative, and Sherry Kum as Practitioner of the Year, World Vision – SDG Partnership, CSR NGO of the Year, Coconut Grove Hotel – CSR Hospitality, Coca-Cola – CSR Marketing Company, Delta – CSR Aviation, Vic Ben – Engineering Company of the Year.
The rest are Amanex – CSR Small, Medium Enterprise, ASA – CSR Savings and Loans, Blue Skies – CSR Education, Ghana Garden and Flower Show – CSR Greening/Environmental Protection, Rhythms Foundation – Youth and Disability Inclusion.
Tema Chairman of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Michael Kabutey Caeser, said in today’s rapidly changing world the role of businesses goes beyond profitability as organisations now have the responsibility of being accountable to the communities in which they operate.
“As we direct businesses towards a more inclusive, ethical, and environmentally friendly path, it is necessary to develop initiatives that will make changes in people’s lives,” he stressed.
Mr. Kabutey further stated that the benefits of CSR extend far beyond improving a company’s reputation, and contribute to the well-being of society by supporting education, healthcare, environmental conservation, empowering marginalised communities, adding, “CSR initiatives create positive change in society. By investing in sustainable development, businesses can forge standard relationships with their stakeholders and foster an environment of trust, loyalty, and long-term success.”
Chief Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Suzuki Momoko, also reiterated the role of organisations in the discharge of their corporate social responsibilities.
She said the award over the years has become the benchmark for social responsibility in the country, and underscored the significance of the private sector in championing CSR initiatives, saying, “The private sector is a key engine of growth in contributing to world development.”
She commended the award winners for their incredible contributions to the development of the country.
By Prince Fiifi Yorke