It is worth mentioning that Corporate Entities/Private individuals have played a major role in the country’s socioeconomic development through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes, with many firms investing huge amounts of money to support communities in which they operate.
Through the CSR programmes, most companies now operate in an ethical and sustainable way, and deal with their environmental and social impacts by considering the society in which it operates.
Among such companies/corporate entities in the country that is committed to its CSR activities which add their quota to national development is SMT Ghana – official distributor of Volvo Construction Equipment, Volvo Trucks and Volvo Penta in Ghana.
Donation to Klaas Haven Montessori School
SMT Ghana as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility has supported Klaas Haven Montessori School, located at Kasoa, with student scholarship packages, Veronica buckets and some renovation work.
The company painted the entire school building and offered scholarship packages covering full tuition and feeding to 6 brilliant students. In addition, staff of the company mobilised stationery and other learning materials for the school. Veronica buckets and their accessories were also presented as part of the SMT’s commitment toward controlling coronavirus in the country.
Top Executives of SMT Ghana, including Mr. Felix Ofosu-Kontoh, Sales Director; Mr. Leonardo Aguiar, Technical Director; Mr. Godfred Sessah-Johnson, Health & Safety Manager; Mrs. Beatrice Oduru-Afranie, HR Director; and Mrs. Hilda Peasah, Marketing Manager, were present at Klaas Haven Montessori School to hand over the scholarship packages and items.
Speaking on behalf of the SMT team, Mrs. Hilda Peasah reiterated that the donation forms part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiative targetted at giving back to society, especially the communities within its operational areas. “Being part of the SMT Africa Group, with our core values being caring, daring and sharing, when the school contacted us for support we didn’t hesitate.
“Education is one of the key factors of development, and no country can achieve sustainable economic development without investing in its human capital. That is why SMT Ghana takes pride in supporting education. We recently started with our Volvo Truck traffic safety campaign dubbed ‘Stop, Look and Wave’, to give schoolchildren the opportunity to better understand how trucks operate in traffic. We move around schools to educate the kids on road safety and as well make donations to them.”
Receiving the donation, Mr. Christoph Edem Kobla Damalie – owner of the school, thanked SMT Ghana for the gesture and urged Corporate Ghana to emulate it by ensuring government gets adequate support to promote education in the country.
He recalled that Klaas Haven Montessori School was established in 2000 with the objective of inculcating human rights into the educational system, so that kids will not have to wait till they get old before understanding basic societal issues.
“Before we started this school, Kasoa was not developed like today, so there were so many girls and boys moving around without schooling. I am happy we have made an impact in terms of education here in this community.
“We are happy SMT Ghana is here to provide the necessary support and be part of this success story. Education is vital, especially the basic education; because if the foundation is not strong, then the whole structure will be weak,” he said.
It was a day worth remembering as the kids entertained the SMT team with songs and an artistic display. Mr. Godfred Sessah-Johnson – Health & Safety Manager of SMT Ghana, took the kids through a practical demonstration on safer use of roads by pedestrians. The kids were also oriented on basic road safety practices.
Most parents of the scholarship beneficiaries who spoke to the press were excited about the offer, and thanked SMT Ghana for giving their kids hope for the future
