To think therefore that out of every 100 children born ten have hole-in-heart condition worldwide and the situation in Ghana is not any different is to at best to resign one’s destiny to fate. The World Health Organisation has pegged cardiovascular diseases as one of the top two causes of death in Ghana after diarrheal illnesses. It is also estimated that about 6,000 to 7,000 new cases of hole-in-heart are added to the existing numbers yearly.

Realizing that there was the need for some high level support and a decisive action to support efforts made by government to ameliorate the situation, Awake Purified Drinking Water, when it launched in 2016 charted an unfamiliar path of dedicating itself to fighting a national cause with its product.

The nation’s first charity-driven mineral water was established with the twin focus of realising value for its shareholders while pooling resources for the needy patients that visit the Korle-Bu Cardio-Thoracic Center each day but are unable to cover the high medical expenses. The company is also involved in other critical intervention projects that are improving lives across the country.

Little Salamatu and Oscar are two of the children that have benefited from the ‘One 4 Life’ initiative out of the over 30 patients who have been assisted. The decision by Ghanaian beverage manufacturing giant, Kasapreko Company Limited to assist the needy in society is laudable and therefore comes as no surprise that the brand has received numerous commendations since its introduction onto the Ghanaian market.

The company was recently recognised by the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana (CIMG), who awarded the brand with a citation for setting the pace in cause related marketing, a relatively novel area in the country. Awake Purified Drinking Water, started a new revolution in the mineral water business entreating institutions to look beyond themselves and give back profits to the consumers and sensitize the public on healthy ways to take care of themselves.

At the moment, Awake has donated over GH¢ 350,000 to the Korle Bu Cardio Center to support patients with heart defects and complications; benefitting over 20 people. The company also provides support and donates water and drinks to the beneficiaries and their families when they are discharged from the hospital.

Beyond its social interventions, Awake is reputed for its commitment to quality. The company won the Quality Purified Drinking Water of the year 2016 at the 5^th edition of the Ghana Business Quality Awards barely a year into its production. This attested to the high quality of the mineral water and led to the brand being accepted by more consumers as the brand of choice.

Awake Purified Drinking Water believes in the saying that “a healthy mind lives in a healthy body” and as a part of its campaign on healthy hearts, supported the annual Goal Ghana Celebrity workout session at the Aviation Social Centre. The workout brought together football stars, radio and TV presenters, movie stars and the general public together, where they were admonished to exercise regularly to keep their hearts and body healthy at all times. Participants benefited from free medical screening exercise as well as networking opportunities with their favourite stars.

On World Heart Day, Kasapreko and Awake undertook a healthy heart activity on the streets to educate the public on the importance of drinking water and exercising to keep the heart working in the best condition. This was carried out in Accra and Kumasi; in Kumasi, the activity culminated at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital where the company donated GH¢ 5,000 to the Mother and Baby Unit.

2017 has been great for Awake Purified Drinking Water and they have given several people reasons to smile and given them a new lease on life; this is a great venture by the indigenous Ghanaian company, Kasapreko Company Limited, and should be encouraged.