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

Author's note: This piece was written on the 7th of August 2013. It is being posted today because I was unable to do so on the day. Please read on:


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.


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