By Sheila WILLIAMS
The Chairman of theAssociation of Ghana Industries (AGI),Greater Accra Region Mr. Tsonam Cleanse Akpeloo, has proposed to the government to provide incentives packages for companies and individuals that implement Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) projects in Ghana.
The call was made during the 7th CSR and Partnership Conference organized by the Centre for CSR West Africa with partnership from Plan International.
Mr. Akpeloo called for a policy that would allow CSR support to be deducted from taxation. The AGI proposition is to incentivize the private sector.
Mr. Akpeloo further suggested to the Ministry of Education (MOE), and Ghana Education Service (GES) to inculcate the spirit of volunteerism and the importance of CSR in pupil of school going age, at the basic school level so as to enlighten them on the need to give back to societies when they grow.
CSR and it’s practices must be inherent in every business
The AGI believes that for country to achieve higher marks in CSR activities, CSR and it’s full practices must be inherent in every business, it must be part of us as individuals. It is a whole discipline that must be acquire in stages.
Speaking at the Conference was the Country Director of Plan International Ghana, Mr. Solomon Tesfa Maria, he emphasized the need for CSR initiatives to be deliberately focused on improving the lives of beneficiaries. He further highlighted the developmental projects by Plan International Ghana that are impacting the lives of people, mostly the girl child.
The Lead Project Manager for Centre for CSR West Africa, Mr. Kojo Williams, revealed the level of reduction in global support for NGO’s which has necessitated the need to look inward and harness the Local power of partnership drive.
Taxed by AGI to CSR
To harness the effectiveness of CSR in every one, the AGI taxed the Center for CSR to see how they can involve schools from the basic level into CSR, and giving back to society should be a training, and should be part of everyone’s journey in life and be taught from schools.
The Conference brought together, major stakeholders in the CSR field including academia business associations, private sector, regulatory agencies, the civil society and the media.
