The Melcom Group of Companies, Ghana’s largest retail outlet, spent over GH¢25 million in the last decade to support community projects in health and education. 

The Managing Director of Melcom Group, Ramesh Sadhwani, who disclosed this at a press Soiree in Accra last Wednesday, said the company's support in the health and education sectors were in line with its corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy.

Melcom organised the soiree to deepen the company's relationship with the media and highlight its community support initiatives.

In the area of health, the Managing Director said Melcom had built and renovated a number of health infrastructure across the country, particularly in deprived communities.

Melcom has also provided medical equipment, including medical fridges to support health institutions to store blood safely.

Mr Ramesh said the company had for many years organised and funded blood donation drives to help stock the nation's blood banks.

He said for this year alone, 3,000 units of blood had been collected, adding that it would go a long way to help provide blood timely for expectant mothers, accident victims and anaemic children.

In the area of education, Mr Ramesh stated that Melcom had provided annual scholarships to children of employees of the company to pursue various programmes in educational institutions across the country, adding that the Melcom Group had over 5,000 employees.

The Managing Director of Melcom disclosed that the retail giant had also signed a Memoradum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Media, Arts and Communications (UniIMAC) to sponsor the Best Graduate in Journalism in honour of the late Founder and Chairman, Bhagwan Ramchand Khubchandani.

"We will also provide sponsorship for the Best Graduate in Journalism to pursue a Masters degree also at UniIMAC in honour of the late Godwin Avenorgbo, who was our Director of Communications," Mr Ramesh added.

The initiative, according to him, was aimed at improving journalism standards in the country, noting that a vibrant, ethical and responsible media was imperative for the country's social and economic development.

He entreated journalists to continue to work hard to deepen the country's democracy and stability in order to make Ghana a more attractive investment destination.

Enter Dr Awal

The Group Executive Director of Melcom, Sonya Sadhwani, also commended the media for their support in highlighting Melcom’s CSR initiatives.

She took the opportunity to introduce Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Awal as Melcom Group's Communications and Business Strategy Consultant.

She said Dr Awal’s expertise as a journalist, businessman, marketer and politician made him ideal for the role.

Dr Awal is a former Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Minister of Business Development and Managing Director of Graphic Communications Group Ltd.

He has also consulted for local and international organisations.