Vivo Energy Ghana, marketer and distributor of Shell-branded products and services over the years, has exhibited its unwavering commitment to supporting it customers through its Corporate Social Responsibility Projects (CSR).
As a major player in the downstream petroleum sector, championing and setting standards for safety, innovation and quality, the company prioritises the health and safety of it customers especially drivers of commercial vehicles .
They have on numerous occasions launched road safety projects with the support of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), headed by its Acting Director-General, Ing. David Osafo Adonteng.
At the peak of the novel Covid-19 virus where businesses were at the verge of collapsing, the company, against all odds launched the the ‘Retailer Sustainability Programme’, an initiative to complement the government’s efforts in combating the virus in Ghana and the socio-economic impact on families, communities and businesses.
As results, the company made donation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the National Covid-19 Case Management Team, funding of an e-learning application for students at home, and the donation of hand sanitisers and liquid soaps to some major bus terminals, as well as retail stations for distribution to drivers and customers respectively.
Away from Covid-19, Vivo Energy Ghana, handed over a renovated St. Peter’s Primary School block at Poase – New Takoradi, to the community. It was to complement the government’s efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 which is, ‘ensuring equitable education for all’.
In addition to the renovation, the company furnished the school block with dual classroom, teachers’ desks, bookshelves and ceiling fans.
Under its Community Illiteracy Projects which began in September 2021, the phase one witnessed 25 households within the Tamale Metropolis who were selected, trained and assigned BookSmart tablets. This provided the households unlimited access to Ghana Education Service-approved reading books for children of school going age.
Over 4,900 books have been read and completed across all 25 households with an average number of 29 books completed per day.
On sustainability and waste management, the company partnered the United Way Ghana to sensitise pupils of the La Enobal Basic School to promote activities that help preserve the environment.
The activities were geared towards promoting sustainable waste management practices, and protecting the environment under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, 13 and 15.
Drivers Initiatives
Vivo Energy Ghana, in collaboration with the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) and transporters, launched the 2023 ‘Stop, Think and Drive’ campaign initiative designed to minimise road fatalities recorded in the country.
For three years, the company has been at the forefront of promoting road safety initiatives across the country, consistently emphasising the significance of responsible driving behaviour.
The initiative designed to educate transporters on the application of First Aid kits during emergency events, was born out of recent provisional statistics from the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service which highlights a reduction in road traffic crashes, injuries, and deaths.
The data from NRSA indicated that 2022 recorded 14,960 crashes, 15,690 injuries, and 2,373 deaths representing 7.55%, 1.54%, and 20.11% reductions respectively compared to the year 2021 which is partly attributed to the ‘Stop, Think and Drive’ road safety campaign initiative.
Ahead to of the Christmas festivities, the company, in ensuring that commercial drivers are of good health and sound mind, again launched a different initiative dubbed, “The Vivo ‘Fit2Drive’ campaign” in partnership with the National Road Safety Authority and Health Nexus Network.
The programme which was rolled-out following the successful implementation of the ‘Stop, Think & Drive’ was to refocus on the health of commercial vehicular drivers through investing in their wellbeing, by ensuring they maintain optimal health, and safety standards while on the road.
As stated by the Managing Director of Vivo Energy Ghana, Maiga Kader, investing in the health of commercial drivers is essential for fostering a safer and efficient transportation system.
“As a major player in the downstream petroleum sector, championing and setting standards safety, innovation and quality, we remain resolute in our commitment to make positive impact in communities where we operate, by implementing long-term sustainability development initiatives with a focus on health of our people,” he stated.
Commercial drivers, motorists in the Greater Accra Region and other parts of the country have expressed gratitude to management of Vivo Energy for their advocacy roles which has helped reduce road crashes recorded in the country.
The highlight for this year’s CSR was the donation of the four surgical smoke evacuator systems to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) in Accra. This was made following concerns raised by the surgical unit regarding the urgent need for the equipment, to help enhance their day-to-day operations.
The significance of these equipments is, it ensures patients undergoing surgery do not end up contracting other forms of health conditions due to the surgical smoke that are released during procedures.
Achievements
At the 10th edition of the Ghana CSR Excellence Awards organised by the centre for CSR, West Africa, the company, known for its commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, clinched three esteemed awards that exemplify its dedication to making a positive impact on society.
Vivo Energy Ghana was bestowed with the top honour of CSR Company of the Year, acknowledging the company’s unwavering commitment to ethical practices, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility in its business operations.
The company has set a high standard for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices, and demonstrated that businesses can play a vital role in fostering a more equitable and sustainable future for all.
Vivo Energy has made positive strides in ensuring the progress of society through its CSR initiatives. Congratulations for making Ghana a better place, all the best in your years ahead!
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke