STRCCI Chairman's Speech

Mr. Ato Van-Ess

SEKONDI TAKORADI REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AWARD NIGHT 2011

THEME: Creativity in Corporate Social Responsibility to Accelerate Economic Development

Chairman's Speech during launching of CSR Award

The first ever Corporate Social Responsibility Awards Programme organized by Sekondi Takoradi Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2007 at Akroma Plaza in Takoradi was a great success and an eye opener. Private companies play a crucial role in the overall development of societies and are increasingly realising that their economic future depends on the thoughtful handling of the environment and its people.

In the light of the above, the Sekondi Takoradi Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry want to institutionalise the CSR Award for Excellence, to further encourage the responsible behaviour of companies in Western Region of Ghana. This Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) will essentially involve doing business in an ecologically and socially responsible manner along the whole value chain.
Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.”

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) implies continuing commitment by organization to behave ethically and contribute to economic development, while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families, as well as of the local community and society at large.

What is the understanding and reason for CSR in Western Region of Ghana?
Western Region of Ghana is blessed with mineral resources as it remains the largest producer of cocoa and timber as well as the second highest producer of gold. Agriculture and mining are the main industries in the Western Region and there is vast palm oil and rubber plantations scattered in the forests parts of the Region. Now the black gold (oil and gas) has been added making the Region the economic hub of Ghana.

The people ask, “Upon all the wealth in the Western Region, what are the benefits to the Region?” We do not imply that CSR or the possible low level of CSR in the Western Region is responsible for our underdevelopment. By our theme, “Creativity in CSR to accelerate economic development,” we believe that creativity in CSR can, actually, lead to acceleration in economic development.

It is, therefore, necessary to wake up and sensitize the public and also to honour the deserving organizations that have made significant contributions to the Region through their Corporate Social Responsibility programmes.

It is also important to have Corporate Social Responsibility Monitor that will offer an insight into the way consumers, and societies at large, perceive the social and environmental responsibilities of business owners in Western Region of Ghana which will also reveal differences in priorities between different organizations.

CSR Implementation
We would be considering CSR practices which address environmental issues, social issues or both. As such, we will be looking at CSR work which includes areas such as:
• The management of the organisation clearly declares its views and obligations towards the society and its stakeholders
• The organisation develops and implements clear policies
• The organisation has rules for purchasing, including social and environmental concerns
• The organisation reduces its “ecological footprints”, both in production and in the process of production
• The organisation has objectives with regard to environmental and social concerns
• The organisation shows an active engagement with regard to the development of its local society
• The organisation educates its Consumers on how products ought to be used
• The organisation informs all its different business areas in a transparent manner

Hence, we will be making an allowance for the execution of CSR which have led to results within areas such as increased brand value, a healthier and safer workforce, stronger risk management and corporate governance, motivated people, customer loyalty, enhanced confidence and trust of stakeholders as well as enhanced public image.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AWARD NIGHT 2011
Dubbed the “CSR AWARD NITE”, the award seeks to acknowledge companies in Western Region of Ghana who display outstanding leadership and commitment to corporate sustainability and to promote CSR as an essential element of a successful business model in the Region. We hope to draw attention to the significant contributions being made by some of the companies in the Region and to encourage others to follow suit.

Entries for the CSR Awards will open on September 9, 2011 with the Award Ceremony slated for December 9, 2011.

We are yet to be convinced to categorize this award scheme, as is the practice worldwide. Categories to be awarded could include - Most Innovative CSR project, Best CSR work place Practice, The most impactful CSR Project, People’s Choice CSR Award, Environmental Excellence and Best community engagement programme.

Should we be satisfied with the outcome of findings, we would not hesitate to award according to the categorization as stated above and even go beyond that.

We must admit that given the peculiar situation of the Western Region, we are still learning and exploring the best way to show appreciation for deserving companies, without necessarily compromising the very essence of the programme. We do not intend to award companies for the sake of it, but to really show appreciation to deserving ones.

The awards will be open to all companies operating in Western Region of Ghana including the public and private sectors, partnerships and multinational companies and Non Governmental Organisations.

It is worth mentioning that Sekondi Takoradi Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry is also working with the private sectors to increase awareness of ethical business behaviour through different seminars and workshops and the slated advocacy training in Local Content in the oil and gas industry.
Unlike so many awards that focus mainly on multinational companies and less neither on indigenous companies nor on the regional contexts in which the companies operate, this award is broad and embraces all players having business and social interest in Western Region of Ghana.

Given the sensitive and multifarious nature of CSR, we have allowed a 4 year interval between the first event in 2007 and the current one slated for December 2011 to enable companies, which won the awards in 2007, to adequately prepare and present new projects and initiatives.

The crux of the media profession is society… and the constant display of their willingness to support and protect society is unprecedented. We salute you… We sincerely appreciate your efforts and we want to complement your endeavor by partnering you to organize this Award Ceremony.

We also request well meaning Ghanaians to support the cause of the programme to make it successful.