Free–to–Air TV Station, e.TV Ghana, has announced plans to award Companies operating in Ghana who have demonstrated corporate commitment to undertake Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programs in the country.

Dubbed the “National CSR Awards”, the award seeks to acknowledge companies who display outstanding leadership and commitment to corporate sustainability and to promote CSR as an essential element of a successful business model in Ghana.

According to Akwasi Agyeman, MD of Global Media Alliance Broadcasting, “CSR is no longe a nice thing to do, but a business imperative. We want to draw attention to the need of companies to make Social Responsibility part of the work culture. By instituting this award scheme, we at e.tv Ghana hope to draw attention to the significant contributions being made by some of the companies in Ghana and to encourage others to follow suit”.

Entries for the National CSR Awards will open on October 4th with the Award Ceremony slated for early 2012. Categories to be awarded include - Most Innovative CSR project, Best CSR work place Practice, The most impactful CSR Project, People’s Choice CSR Award, Environmenta Excellence and Best community engagement program.

General Manager of ETV Ghana. J.O.T Agyeman, adds “This event will be positioned as a premier networking event for the corporate community throughout Ghana and ensure the promotion of indigenous reality and engagement with stakeholders. Several prominent and distinguished members of the Ghanaian community will serve on the judging panel to be announced during the call for entries. We will also be working with like- minded organizations to ensure the success of this project. ”

ETV Ghana sees this initiative as part of its overall corporate responsibility and a way to regularly ensure the promotion of outstanding and innovative initiatives that create high socia and environmental benefits for the community.

The awards will also showcase the role of the private sector and how they have succeeded to partner Government agencies for the economic and social benefits of the Nations.

The awards will be open to all companies operating in Ghana including the public and private sectors, partnerships and multinational companies.