News
GREL creates strong relationship with stakeholders
The Corporate Affairs Manager of the Ghana Rubber Estates Limited (GREL), Mr. Perry Acheampong has stated that the company was creating a very conducive atmosphere to maintain a strong relationship with their stakeholders. GREL produces latex or raw rubber for export.
He said this collaboration between GREL and all the communities would allow the company to assist in the improvement of livelihoods of residents in the operational communities.
Mr. Acheampong was speaking in an exclusive interview with this reporter on GREL’s Sustainability Policy of Respect for Human Rights, Responsible Development of their Operations and Best Management Practices in line with National and International Laws, Regulations and Conventions.
He said the company recognised the importance of the communities in its operational areas and so worked in a very responsible manner to obtain the Social Licence from these communities which GREL has invested over four miillion Euros in the last 10 years on Corporate Social Responsibility Projects in the areas of Health, Electricity, Water, Education, Sanitation among others aimed at improving the livelihood of these communities.
He said GREL was “Latex, and so much more” as their new slogan was evidenced in what they championed over the years in the operational areas.
Mr. Acheampong said GREL had empowered the people by offering very sustainable jobs and income to over 4,000 staff, through the implementation of national and international policies of biodiversity, the protection of water bodies and the ecosystem. T
He said the company gave life to the communities through the provision of quality, safe, potable and reliable water, the construction of schools, provision of desks, allowances to teachers, vacation classes to improve the educational standard of the areas.
He said in collaboration with the Association of Chiefs on whose Lands GREL Operates (ACLANGO) GREL had provided water systems for 14 communities serving over 20,000 people, built six health facilities which included 4 community health centres serving over 15,000 people and 16 communities have been provided with Community Centres for their social events.
On education, he said that 36 infrastructure have been provided which included 17 school buildings, libraries and teachers’ bungalows, annual vacation classes for over 4,500 Primary and Junior High Schools where the company paid for the tuition, learning materials and feeding for the students.
He disclosed that by the end of June 2021 the company had provided scholarships to 283 students in secondary and tertiary in the operational areas adding “GREL supports the traditional festival of Kundum of all the communities within its operational areas through ACLANGO”.
FROM PETER GBAMBILA, TAKORADI.
The 29th Annual Dagaaba-Frafra Friendly Games have once again demonstrated that sports can be a powerful vehicle for cultural preservation, business networking, friendship and peaceful coexistence.
Held at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra last Saturday, the games brought together members of the two ethnic groups from across Ghana and abroad for a colourful celebration under the theme, “Unity in Diversity: The Dagaaba-Frafra Model for Peaceful Co-existence.”
The event, which has evolved from a friendly football match into a major annual gathering, featured football, volleyball, sack races, lime and spoon, tug-of-peace and a penalty shootout for senior citizens.
At the end of the competitions, the Frafra won four events, while the Dagaaba secured victories in five, with the men’s soccer match ending in a draw.
The Frafra triumphed in the men’s lime and spoon, men’s sack race, women’s sack race and women’s soccer, while the Dagaaba won the women’s lime and spoon, men’s volleyball, women’s volleyball, women’s tug-of-peace and the senior citizens’ penalty shootout.
However, the games extended far beyond the sporting arena. The stadium grounds and surrounding spaces became a vibrant marketplace, with patrons enjoying and purchasing a variety of traditional foods, drinks and cultural products.
Local delicacies, including TZ, tubaani, bambara beans, pork, guinea fowl, local fowls, dog meat and kosie, were sold alongside traditional alcoholic beverages. Traditional dresses and other culturally inspired items also attracted buyers, turning the gathering into an important platform for small businesses and vendors to make sales while promoting northern Ghanaian culture.
The cultural exchange continued long after the final sporting contests, as patrons remained at the venue to eat, drink, socialise, dance and party well into the night.
In her remarks, the Guest of Honour, Dr Matilda Aberese-Ako, said the gathering represented much more than competition, describing the Dagaaba-Frafra relationship as a historic bond that had evolved into a modern sporting tradition and an instrument for peace.
MTN Ghana has been the headline sponsor for the games for the past 10 years.
By Gordon Wellu
By Gordon Wellu
SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS
You can now read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.
Join our WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
MTN Ghana has undertaken a tree-planting exercise at the Chipa Forest Reserve as part of its commitment to protecting the planet and support the restoration of degraded sections of the forest.
The activity forms part of the company’s 2026 Sustainability Month celebration held under the theme “Small Actions: Big Impact,” and its 30th anniversary celebration.
It was held in partnership with the Forestry Commission (FC) and the Rainforest Alliance with MTN Ghana supporting the restoration of approximately two hectares of degraded forest through the planting of 1,666 trees.
Due to the current dry weather conditions, 833 trees were planted during the exercise, with the remaining 833 to be planted when the rain commences.
The exercise brought together MTN employee volunteers, officials from the Forestry Commission and representatives of the Rainforest Alliance, demonstrating the importance of collaboration in driving environmental sustainability.
Speaking at the event, the Acting General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Ghana, Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, emphasized the critical role trees play in sustaining life and protecting the environment.
“Trees are essential to human survival and healthy ecosystems. They absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, regulate temperatures, protect soil, support biodiversity and provide habitats for many species. They also conserve water, reduce erosion and help communities adapt to the effects of climate change,” she said.
The District Manager of the Tema-Ada Forest Services Division of the Forestry Commission, Linda Ansah, welcomed MTN Ghana’s support, describing it as a valuable contribution to efforts aimed at restoring degraded sections of the reserve.
The Country Director of the Rainforest Alliance, Nicholas Jengri, also welcomed the partnership and emphasised the importance of collective action in addressing environmental challenges.
SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS
You can now read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.
Join our WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
