The Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD) is urging corporate organisations to expand and diversify their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives to ensure that vulnerable and marginalised groups benefit more meaningfully from social investment programmes nationwide.
This call was made by the Chief Executive of CBOD, Dr. Patrick Ofori, during the commissioning of a newly renovated hygiene facility—including 12 modernised washrooms—at the Dzorwulu Special School in Accra. He reaffirmed the Chamber’s strong commitment to supporting communities within its operational areas and pledged continued investment in projects that improve living conditions for disadvantaged populations.
The renovation project, undertaken in partnership with Matrix Gas (Ghana) Limited and other CBOD member companies, formed part of the Chamber’s broader ESG and social intervention efforts. Before the upgrade, the school’s washrooms were in severely deteriorated condition, posing major health and safety concerns for both students and staff.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Ofori underscored the need for corporate Ghana to rethink traditional CSR and ESG activities and channel more resources into sustainable, high-impact community projects.
“As part of our ESG commitment, we have been planting trees and distributing food items, but this year we wanted to do something different. Since we operate within the same community as this school, we decided to support them in a more transformative way—by providing a cleaner, safer, and more dignified environment,” he said.
He further encouraged organisations to extend their support to institutions serving persons with special needs, emphasizing that corporate engagement should not be limited to festive-season donations. “While we often talk about diversity, it shouldn’t stop at giving birthday or Christmas gifts. We must also pay attention to their living environments, their dormitories, and their facilities to ensure they can live and learn with dignity,” he added.
CBOD reaffirmed its commitment to promoting inclusive, people-centred ESG as part of its long-term contribution to national development and the wellbeing of communities connected to the downstream petroleum sector.