Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become a crucial focus for organisations globally, underscoring the importance of responsible corporate citizenship.
Leading this effort is FirstBank, whose corporate responsibility and sustainability (CR&S) agenda takes a comprehensive approach, integrating corporate responsibility with sustainability initiatives to drive long-lasting community impacts.
FirstBank’s CR&S framework centres on four key pillars: Sustainable Finance and Investment, People Empowerment, Community Support, and Environmental Sustainability.
Aligning with global best practices such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Global Compact and the Equator Principles, FirstBank’s CR&S initiatives reflect its commitment to international standards and addresses societal needs in meaningful ways. By embedding the essence of these frameworks into its operations, FirstBank ensures its programmes benefit communities while meeting global benchmarks.
FirstBank’s commitment to sustainable finance empowers individuals and businesses to drive responsible growth. By promoting responsible lending, green financing and impactful investments, FirstBank enhances financial inclusion for underserved communities, providing them access to essential financial services and equipping individuals and small businesses with vital money management skills.
Through financial literacy programmes and supporting SMEs that embrace sustainable practices, FirstBank fosters economic resilience and minimises environmental impact, reinforcing its mission of a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable future.
The People Empowerment pillar is focused on capacity-building and opportunity creation, prioritising skills development, training and resources to help employees reach their potential. Rooted in strong ethical standards, the bank’s commitment guides employees in conducting their roles with integrity and respect to the communities.
By championing diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities, FirstBank fosters a balanced workplace where all employees have equitable access to advancement. Initiatives like the annual New Year’s Walk underscore its dedication to wellness and work-life balance, strengthening a sense of community and well-being among employees. Through these combined efforts, FirstBank’s commitment to empowerment, ethics and inclusive growth forms a foundational aspect of its corporate culture and vision for sustainable success.
Focused on enhancing local quality of life, FirstBank’s Community Support pillar promotes initiatives in health, education and social welfare. The bank’s healthcare efforts have notably benefitted vulnerable groups, especially children, through CR&S activities that address critical health needs and support institutions like Lifeline for Childhood Cancer Ghana as well as the Korle Bu and Komfo Anokye Oncology Departments. Additionally, FirstBank prioritises education as a tool to break the poverty cycle.
Through the ‘Making Learning Happen’ project, the bank donates desks and resources to under-resourced schools, creating better learning environments. FirstBank’s partnership with the Village of Hope guarantees support for orphaned and vulnerable children, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to building brighter futures.
FirstBank champions environmental sustainability by promoting responsible practices among clients through green financing and environmental education. The bank has lent support to Greening Ghana Day, contributing to national reforestation efforts and supporting tree-planting and awareness initiatives that encourage eco-friendly habits among employees, clients and stakeholders. These efforts underscore FirstBank’s dedication to fostering a healthier planet and ensuring that environmental sustainability is central to its mission.
Over the years, FirstBank Ghana has diligently driven its CR&S agenda, delivering impact in the chosen focus areas and delighting their people and communities. However, the bank does not intend to rest on its oars.
Aiming to deliver a stronger impact and deliver a deeper engagement, the bank has entered into a groundbreaking partnership with Sarkodie, redefining community engagement in the process. The bank has since unveiled the iconic musical artiste cum entrepreneur as FirstBank’s Values Partner, with Sarkodie determined to work with the bank to achieve specific goals which would see our youth imbibing the FirstBank values of Entrepreneurship, Professionalism, Innovation and Customer-centricity (EPIC).
A beacon of social change via the Sark Foundation, Sarkodie brings unmatched passion and visibility to FirstBank’s Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability (CR&S) initiatives. Together, FirstBank and Sarkodie have embarked on a transformative journey, addressing pressing social challenges while making remarkable strides in education and youth development.
Highlights so far include the impactful Junior Internship Programme and the exciting ‘Brighter Day Celebrations’ at Redemption Valley School Park in Tema, where over 300 children thrived in a day filled with enriching activities. This partnership exemplifies a commitment to nurture the next generation and it grows stronger by the day as the partners share a common commitment based on the core values which they both share.
With a series of upcoming initiatives, this collaboration is poised to ignite sustainable change and inspire Ghana’s youth to pursue their dreams with unwavering determination.
As a prominent corporate entity, FirstBank’s CR&S activities are crucial in promoting transparency, ethical practices and financial inclusion. Through microfinance programmes, the bank empowers underserved communities by providing credit access, promoting entrepreneurship and supporting sustainable practices aligned with climate action; thus, contributing to a more equitable and sustainable future.
Reflecting on FirstBank’s CR&S initiatives, Victor Yaw Asante, Managing Director and CEO, remarked: “At FirstBank, our commitment to sustainability is deeply embedded in our stakeholder-centric approach.
It is in our DNA. We understand that our success is linked with the well-being of the communities we serve, which drives us to prioritise not only financial performance but also social and environmental impact. By engaging with stakeholders, employees, customers and local communities, we aim to understand their needs and ensure that our initiatives align with their aspirations.”
With 130 years of heritage built by its parent company, FirstBank Nigeria, FirstBank Ghana draws from this extensive legacy of its parent company to deliver essential financial services that address the unique needs of diverse communities.
This legacy underscores the bank’s stability, resilience and deep understanding of the financial landscape, allowing it to provide tailored products and services that enhance individuals’ quality of life. Guided by the principle of You First, FirstBank Ghana is dedicated to empowering communities and shaping a better future for generations to come.
