The Ghana edition of the West Africa Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Excellence Awards 2015 has been launched at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Accra.

The CSR Excellence Awards seeks to identify, verify, evaluate and reward socially-responsible activities of companies in Ghana and across the sub-region, as they contribute to national and sub-regional growth and prosperity.

Speaking at the launch, Lead Project Manager for the awards, Mr. Kojo Williams, said the West African Excellence Awards is an initiative of the West African Centre for CSR conferences and awards.

According to him, “though the award scheme was initiated in 2011, this year’s edition promises to be an evolution into the sub-regional initiative, and therefore urged all social-responsible companies in Ghana to start submitting their entries.”

“We encourage all social-responsible companies in Ghana to start submitting their entries for possible consideration for an award,’ Mr. Williams said.

He further indicated that CSR is becoming a big business as a company in Ghana and around the world.

“CSR has over the years evolved into a big business as it has showcased and put the spotlight on companies that have contributed immensely and positively to society,” he said.

According to Mr. Williams, the award scheme is open to small and large companies in Ghana and all stakeholders in the CSR and community development spectrum.

It will be supported by the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Plan Ghana, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Ghana CSR Diary and WestKomm.

Last year companies like MTN, Nestle Ghana, Stanbic Bank, Huawei Technologies, Olam Ghana, Liberty Capital, McDan Shipping, Latex Foam were awarded.