Assisting The Ghana Water Company Limited: A CSR Opportunity For Accra's Breweries?

By Kofi Thompson

Reports in the Ghanaian media have it that as a result of difficulties being experienced by the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), in supplying treated water to the Achimota factory of Guineas Ghana Limited, and the Graphic Road factory of Accra Brewery Limited, the GWCL is having to limit supplies of treated water to households and other non-industrial users in parts of Accra.

Yet, for public health reasons, it is vital that treated water is made available across the country, to as many households and other non-industrial users as is possible, and on a regular basis.

It is unfortunate that 56 years after independence, the supply of treated water has become problematic - and has not kept pace with population growth and rapid urbanisation in Ghana.

Perhaps it might be in the collective interest of the affected breweries, which make large profits here, to support the GWCL, by contributing funds to the company, to enable it speedily resolve the operational emergency, which has led to its inability to supply them with treated water on a regular basis.

It is said that necessity is the mother of invention. If the affected breweries take a long-term view, perhaps it will enable them see the GWCL's present difficulties in supplying them with treated water, as a fortuitous CSR opportunity.

Let them seize that enlightened-self-interest-opportunity, and use it to demonstrate their commitment to Ghana, by assisting the GWCL to overcome the emergency that it currently faces, and which has led to the present situation in which it is forced to cut supplies to households and other non-industrial users, in order to supply treated water to the breweries in Accra.

That will be seen by many Ghanaians, including even some of those who don't approve of alcohol, as evidence of Guineas Ghana Limited and Accra Brewery being good corporate citizens of Ghana - a development that will doubtless redound to their benefit: by enhancing the value of their brands in Ghana yet further.

Tel: 027 745 3109.

Email: peakofi.thompson@gmail.com.