Ecobank supports health centres
Ecobank Ghana has donated medical equipment and drugs worth GH¢420,000 to 13 public health institutions across the country.
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The donation was to mark Ecobank Day, a community action day, during which over 20,000 of the bank’s staff across Africa were encouraged to devote the day to serving communities in which the group operates.
This year’s Ecobank Day was celebrated on the theme: “Malaria Prevention and Control in Sub-Saharan Africa”.
The beneficiary health centres included LEKMA, Maamobi, Adabraka and La Polyclinics in Accra, Manhyia and South Suntreso polyclinics in Kumasi, Ketu Polyclinic in the Volta Region and Tema Manhean Polyclinic.
The centres were presented with medical equipment and drugs, malaria test kits, hospital beds and treated mosquito nets, as well as cleaning materials such as disinfectants, brooms, buckets and gloves.
Mr Morgan Fianko Asiedu, Executive Director in charge of Legal, Human Resource and Compliance, said the event was to give the Ecobank Group the opportunity to execute its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) between it and its stakeholders in all markets where the bank operated.
He said the annual community action day was also aimed at inspiring the bank’s staff to use their collective talents and resources to make positive differences in their local communities.
Mr Asiedu said CSR activities had become the bedrock of most socially responsible organisations, because the institutions believed that giving back to society and the environment in which they operated were strong pillars of sustainable growth.
He said the theme was chosen because malaria was a major illness and cause of death in Africa, especially in sub-Sahara Africa where the bank operated most.
An estimated 700,000 people died of malaria in Africa in 2012, while in Ghana, 2,503 deaths were attributed to malaria in 2013.
“As a Pan African Bank, Ecobank will like to be a relevant stakeholder, an active partner and contributor in the fight against malaria to eradicate malaria from Africa,” he said.
“By these donations, Ecobank reaffirms its commitment to support the development of African countries that are malaria endemic and ensure that lives on the continent remains in good health to be able to contribute towards growth,” he said.
In Ghana, the Ecobank Day ceremony was held across 13 locations by the four affiliate companies, Ecobank Ghana Limited, eProcess International, Ecobank Development Corporation and EB-Accion Savings and Loans Company Limited. Staff members engaged in joint clean-up exercises and interacted with members of the communities on the prevention of malaria and maintaining clean environment.
Mr Asiedu appealed to Ghanaians to help keep the environment clean.
Nii Dr Adjei Kraku , Tema Mantse, thanked Ecobank for the gesture and expressed the hope that the bank would continue to provide support to the Tema Manhean Hospital. He also called on community members to be responsive to avoid sicknesses.
Ecobank operates in 36 African countries, including Zimbabwe. It has a licensed operation in Paris and representative offices in Beijing, Dubai, Johannesburg, London and Luanda.