Stanbic Bank Ghana has announced an investment of GHS 6.5 million in community projects and initiatives across the country. Spanning education, health, youth empowerment, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, agriculture, and youth enablement, these initiatives aim to contribute to the development of communities in which the bank operates. This was contained in the bank’s Annual Results Statement and CSI Report for 2023.
According to the 2023 CSI Report, the bank’s CSI spend is in line with its
purpose of driving Ghana’s growth. The Report said, “We are working to
continuously increase the positive social, economic and environmental (SEE)
impacts arising from our business activities and ultimately increase our social
capital. Stanbic Ghana’s purpose, Ghana is our home, we drive her growth with
best in-class solutions, is both a statement of why we exist and a description
of what we do every day. We are committed to forging a sustainable growth path
that benefits both current and future generations. We have embedded the
consideration of social, economic and environmental (SEE) impacts into our
business strategy and decision-making processes. We take our responsibilities
to society and the environment seriously, and we commit to being transparent
and accountable for our impacts.”
In education, the bank engaged in the delivery of three STEM projects (Laptops
donations to KNUST and University of Ghana, 5-day Bootcamp for SHS Girls, 3-day
Stanbic-GIMPA Hackathon), and the support of academic and infrastructural needs
of numerous educational institutions across the country. In the area of health,
the bank contributed towards quality healthcare delivery by donating ventilator
machines, supporting the child cancer units of Ridge and Korle Bu Teaching
hospital. The bank also paid for treatment cost for several patients, financed
healthcare providers’ participation in international conferences and medical
exchange programs, and supported development of health-related infrastructure
in Ghana.
As one of the foremost financial institutions in the country, Stanbic Bank has
committed to ensuring that the vast majority of Ghanaians have access to
financial literacy, which is key in reducing inequality. In keeping with this
commitment, the bank provided consumer education and financial literacy to help
people make more informed decisions. As a keen interest area, the bank
supported radio stations across the country to deliver financial literacy
programmes. The also organised four quarterly breakfast meetings to discuss
socio-economies issues, reaching millions of Ghanaians through radio, tv and
social broadcasts.
In acknowledgement of the critical role small businesses play in the economy of
the country, Stanbic Bank in 2023 gave over 5000 SMEs access to existing and
potential clients by partnering with the Volta Regional Coordinating Council to
organise the 5th Volta Fair, 1000s of female led enterprises benefitted from
trainings, insights and opportunities from a 4-week meet and greet event that
brought together approximately 3000 women entrepreneurs to network, learn and
sell. Over 1000 young enterprise owners also benefitted from the bank’s
business incubator programmes at the SBIncubator.
In 2023, Stanbic Bank continued financing agriculture and empowering Small and
Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the sector to ensure sustenance of the sector as
the main driver of the country’s economy. The bank continues with its 16-year
tradition of supporting the National Farmers’ Day celebration with a Massey
Ferguson MF 375 tractor to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA). The
bank also planted over 2000 trees across the country towards mitigating the
impacts of climate change, and improved access to reliable and sustainable
energy sources.
Aside offering the youth learning experience, equipping them with education and
skills required for the modern world of work through internships, the bank also
took great interest in youth talent development. Largely focusing on Sports,
Stanbic Bank supported various tournaments across all sports disciplines which
helped young Ghanaians to demonstrate their talents on a highly-competitive
levels, build their confidence through the sport they love, and of course, find
and cement bonds with their community of fellow players.
These strategic investments show that Stanbic Bank Ghana’s commitment to the
country goes beyond financial services. The bank, through its community
engagements and initiatives, is fostering positive change across the nation. By
working in close collaboration with communities, Stanbic Bank is not just
driving Ghana's growth, but weaving itself into the very fabric of the
country’s socio-economic development story.
Source: Peacefmonline.com