Guinness Trains CSR Practitioners

Participants listen with rapt attention as Preba Greenstreet, Corporate Relations Director- GGBL takes them through GCBL's transformational CSR initiative.

Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited (GGBL) has presented its Local Raw Material (LRM) programme as best practice to participants of the ongoing McGill Executive programme on corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy and management at the Alisa Hotel in Accra.

The six-day programme is aimed at equipping students and CSR practitioners with world-class knowledge and best practice in corporate social responsibility, enabling them turn challenges into opportunities whilst creating value for shareholders and all stakeholders.

The programme is being led by Professor Wayne Dunn, who heads the CSR Training Institute at the McGill University Institute for the Study of International Development based in Montreal Canada.

Sharing GGBL's transformational case study on 'Creating value through the value chain and the use of Local Raw Materials, Preba Greenstreet, Corporate Relations Director, GGBL stated that 'since the passage of the LRM Act in November 2012, we've gradually moved from 12 percent of local raw material usage to 38 percent within 2 years.  We have achieved this by making a real commitment to the local sourcing agenda, launching Ruut Extra Premium Beer, Ghana's first cassava beer and continuing to utilise locally sourced raw materials across our production.  By ensuring value along the entire chain, we are assured of its sustainability which enables us to consistently delight our consumers with the right product at the best quality and price.'

Commenting on the LRM presentation, Rashid Pelpuo, Minister of State in charge of Private Sector Development and Private Public Partnerships said, 'I like GGBL's CSR initiative - empowering communities and targeting the value chain activities that will enhance the product further and my office is ready to support such companies who bring requests to remove any bottlenecks that are hindering their free operation.

Dr. Kojo Busia, a participant and Senior Governance Advisor at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, added that 'GGBL presents a unique example of innovation, effective and comprehensive approach to CSR that addresses the entire supply chain in terms of value creation and the extractive sector can pick lessons from this manufacturing company.'

A business desk report