The officials at the ceremony
The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI), in collaboration with the Employment for Sustainable Development in Africa (E4D), has inaugurated the National Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Policy Secretariat in Accra.
The Secretariat, located on the premises of MOTI, will ensure the effective implementation of the National CSR Policy launched by the ministry in October last year.
It will also provide the framework and guidance to facilitate the effective collaboration of all stakeholders to ensure economic growth, competitive advantage and social benefits.
Speaking at the inauguration, John Duti, the Team leader for E4D, said a lot of companies in Ghana contribute greatly to enhance the lives of people in the communities they operate in.
“There has to be a shift from philanthropic CSR to a more strategic approach to CSR to ensure sustainable development,” he said.
Strategic CSR is when a company invests in a community development that meets their commercial interest, according to Mr Duti.
“E4D has been partnering with companies in Ghana over the years under this strategic CSR principle to create sustainable jobs, enhance incomes and improve working conditions of people,” he added.
He stated that the E4D team was ready to share their experiences with other companies and urged the Ministry to work hard for the successful implementation of the policy.
The Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen, in a speech read on his behalf, commended GIZ for its support in the launch of the policy and establishment of the Secretariat.
He stated that the Secretariat would work with other ministries and agencies, private sector operators, CSR experts and other key stakeholders to ensure that the CSR projects and programmes focus on relevant issues facing the communities.
He said the Secretariat would ensure that the interest of businesses would extend beyond their locality.
CSR policy was developed with support from the Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility, University of Ghana Business School, Legon, and GIZ seeks to promote the socio-economic development of communities by businesses within their scope of influence.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri