In complementing Ghana’s efforts to achieving the sustainable development goals, Overseas Commerce Ghana Limited, a container terminal and modern bond cold store warehousing company organized a cleanup exercise at Tema Community 3 today, December 7.
The 3-hour exercise which was in collaboration with residents of Dzatabu in Community 3, had participants sweeping the streets, cleaning bushes and creating awareness on the importance of good hygiene around the home and community.
Speaking to the media after the exercise, the Chief Executive Officer for the company, Mr. Boaz Amiel said the exercise was also part of his company’s way of giving back to the society. According to him, although government has a role to play in ensuring a clean and healthy environment for the people, it was also important for citizens to identify their role and contribute their quota.
“This community has accommodated our business for a little over two years and although this is not the first social intervention we have done here, it is only befitting that we engage our neighbours to take this action regularly.
It is only a healthy workforce that can transform this country to what it should be. If the environment is not clean, people will fall sick, productivity will be negatively impacted, jobs will be lost etc. we cannot develop Ghana if this situation persists.
Also, we cannot hope to achieve the SDGs if we don’t put in the work. Goal 3 that is good health and well-being, goal 6 that is clean water and sanitation, goal 13 that is climate action and goal 15 that is life on land are practically impossible if we don’t change the way we approach handling the environment around us,” he stressed.
The CEO further revealed that his company has signed an MoU with the community to undertake major projects fully funded by Overseas Commerce Ghana Limited. This, he said, will take effect from the first quarter of 2019.
“This cleanup exercise is not and will not be a one-off something. This thing has started slowly as we put other measures in place and to show the commitment that we have, we actually signed with them an MoU to define what the role of the company is, what the contribution of the company will be from now as it develops. We will also contribute as much as possible to the peace and stability that this community has.”
Members of the community who spoke to the media expressed gratitude to Overseas Commerce Ghana Limited for its regular input in the affairs of the area which has led to a clean, safe and secure environment.
Mr. Owusu Bempah Bernard, an executive member of the Dzatabu Residents Association said the signing of the MoU by the company and its continuing effort to uphold its end of the bargain was admirable.
He urged the company to assist in the construction and repair of some major roads in and around the area which has been a constant bother to the people.
The cleanup exercise was held under the theme; “Supporting community development through partnership” and falls under the “Overseas Care Project”.
About Overseas Commerce Ghana Limited
Overseas commerce Ghana limited is a recognised company established in Israel in 1967 by the maritime transportation company “Zim”, for the purpose of completing port services in response to periods of strikes at Israeli ports. In December 2016, the company became public upon the completion of an offer to sell shares to the public by the existing shareholders.
Today, the major shareholder of overseas commerce is Emilia Development, a strong group of company which was founded in 1952. The group holds about 20 private and public companies in the field of industry, services, distribution and logistics.
From its inception, the group maintains a strong financial base, with significant capital raising capability. Alongside the group’s business conservation, it keeps identifying and exploiting business opportunities in its area of activity.
