Access Bank, a leading financial institution in Ghana, has donated 13,000 pairs of eco-friendly sandals to underprivileged students in five regions of the country. The sandals are made from recycled car tires that would otherwise pollute the environment.
The initiative, dubbed “A Sandal More for a Better Tomorrow”, is part of the bank’s corporate social responsibility campaign and its commitment to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on education and responsible consumption and production.
The bank partnered with Chaint Afrique, an environmental sustainability organization that specializes in transforming used tires into durable footwear. The project aims to provide comfortable and hygienic shoes for children who walk long distances to school, as well as to create jobs and income for local artisans.
The Managing Director of Access Bank, Olumide Olatunji, said the bank was driven by the vision of creating positive impact in the society and the environment. He said the bank hoped to expand the project to other West African countries and beyond.
The donation ceremony was attended by representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Ministry of Education, and the beneficiary schools. The EPA Director of Corporate Affairs, Audrey Quarcoo, commended Access Bank for its innovative and eco-friendly approach to social responsibility. She said the EPA was glad to see corporate institutions taking action to protect and conserve the environment.
The Headmaster of Liberty Avenue 2 Junior High School, one of the recipient schools, Lawson Calvin, expressed his gratitude to Access Bank for bringing hope and joy to the children. He said some of the students had to fend for themselves and could not afford decent shoes.
Access Bank is not the only organization that is using recycled tires to make a difference in Ghana. In 2019, a group of young entrepreneurs launched Trashy Bags, a social enterprise that produces fashionable bags and accessories from discarded plastic waste. The project has collected over 200 tons of plastic waste and employed over 100 people.
These initiatives show how waste can be turned into valuable resources that can benefit both people and the planet. They also demonstrate how businesses can play a vital role in advancing the SDGs and creating a more sustainable future for all.
Source: [Graphic Online]
