Nestlé Ghana has launched Nestlé for Good, a corporate initiative anchored on three pillars—nutrition, communities and the planet—to strengthen the company’s social impact and sustainability efforts in Ghana.
Speaking at the launch on Wednesday at the company’s head office in Accra, Managing Director Salomé Azevedo said the programme is designed to go beyond products to improving lives.
“It’s not just about our products; it’s about how we use them to do good. We must keep that at the centre of our production,” she said.
On the nutrition pillar, she reaffirmed the company’s commitment to expanding access to quality food.
“Access to quality nutrition must be democratic. It is a responsibility for us, and it is the right of every consumer,” she said.
She noted persistent micronutrient deficiencies, particularly among children, and said the company continues to tailor products to include fortified nutrients.
“About 60% of children under five still suffer from iron deficiency—that is six out of 10 children. It affects their ability to focus in school and has long-term implications for productivity,” she said.
To help address this, she said Nestlé continues to prioritise food fortification.
Under the communities pillar, the company said it is scaling up support for farmers and families.
“In Ghana alone, we support about 18,000 farmers. We help them adopt best practices, improve productivity and increase income,” she said.
She added that Nestlé’s interventions also address child labour. “We monitor child labour and support families to enrol their children in school,” she said.
On the planet pillar, the company said its Tema factory has solar panels covering more than 16,000 square metres, generating solar energy that provides 30% of daytime energy needs and supports efforts to reduce emissions.
Nestlé also supports waste segregation by sorting plastics to improve collection and help reduce plastic pollution.
The initiative also includes programmes to develop young talent. Each year, 52 students are recognised under the President’s Awards scheme, while graduates are offered practical industry exposure.
“We create opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience, especially in manufacturing and engineering, so they are better prepared for employment,” she said.
Patricia Ekaba, Head of Corporate Affairs, cwar, described the programme as the company’s largest campaign in Central and West Africa.
“It starts with communities, focuses on nutrition and extends to protecting the planet and ensuring business sustainability,” she said.
She said the initiative also focuses on transparency and consumer awareness. “When people pick a Nestlé product from the shelf, it is important they understand the bigger ecosystem behind it—that it is produced responsibly,” she said.
She expressed hope that the programme would inspire collective action. “We want society, consumers and stakeholders to understand what we are doing and be encouraged that together, we can do more,” she added.
Setting up a company, creating jobs, paying taxes and sourcing raw materials are important, but that is what every company does,” he said. “Today, impact goes beyond that. It is about how businesses contribute meaningfully to society.”
He pointed to Nestlé’s growing footprint in sustainability, youth development and nutrition as a practical example of how corporate influence can extend into areas such as waste management, plastic recycling and improved food quality, particularly for children.
Chief Commercial Officer and Director of Industries at the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Mr Kofi Addo, commended the initiative, noting that it aligns with government’s industrialisation agenda.
“Corporate social responsibility must go beyond the brand. We can turn our economy around on the back of value addition,” he said, adding that the ministry would support Nestlé to “grow from grace to grace.”
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