The Ministry of Trade and Industry can now guarantee that programmes and projects designed for the country will reflect relevant issues bothering communities and regional diversity.
This follows the inauguration of a Corporate Social Responsibility Secretariat by the German Development Organisation.
The five-year medium term project funded by the German Development Organisation (GIZ) has among other goals of ensuring that interest of businesses are extended beyond localities and not just concentrated on few pockets.
“They will also work closely with non-governmental organisations who have the pulse for development needs at the grassroots and can provide last mile connectivity in the delivery of programmes,” Mr Dawarnoba Beaka, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI), stated at the inauguration ceremony held in Accra on Monday.
Reading a speech on behalf of the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Beaka said Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) had become increasingly important to national development because today’s heightened interest in the proper role of business in society had been promoted by increased sensitivity to awareness of environmental and ethical issues.
He said one core principle within CSR space was the principle of conducting business in an economically, socially and environmentally manner, and weaving that principle into the intrinsic fabric of every company.
“The principle captured within the policy calls for an extensive collaboration between government and the cooperate sector to provide the basics for improving the quality of life in the rural urban areas,” he said.
Mr Beaka urged the team that would be in charge of the secretariat to work with transparency, ethical behaviour, respect for stakeholders, respect for international norms of behaviour and respect for human rights as well as being accountable.
He commended the GIZ for the support right from the policy development process through to its launching and the establishment of the secretariat.
He also appreciated the efforts of the Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility, Legon, for leading the policy development.
Mr John C. Duti, the Team Leader for GIZ, said GIZ’s assistance was fulfilling a request by MoTI in ensuring philanthropic move at the Ministry was successful.
He said GIZ was also partnering other associates to implement strategic CSR for high level sustenance.
Mr Duti said GIZ was doing strategic CSR over the years and was ready to share their views with the Ministry towards a sustainable development.
“Facilitation of capacity development for all stakeholders; resource mobilization for supporting CSR policy implementation; development and implementation of appropriate communication strategy; collation of documentation on all CSR activities will be among the roles of this secretariat,” he said.