Good corporate governance creates and sustains shareholder value
In a few words
As a leading financial institution in Ghana with a social conscience the Board and staff of CalBank are fully committed to the highest level of corporate governance and sustainable social and economic responsibility throughout every aspect of our business towards those stakeholders affected by our business activities. Our vision is to be Ghana’s most responsible and sustainable Bank. We’re committed to sustainable social and economic development
This is because we believe in being involved in developing the community within which we operate.
Our drive for sustainability has made us recognize that social giving is not enough. Rather, for Corporate Social Investments to be truly effective and make an ongoing and meaningful impact in the lives of our communities, environment and stakeholders, it needs to be well-managed and underpinned by the driving principle of sustainability. In so doing, we have adopted four (4) pillars; SDGs 4, 5, 7 and 13 in the Sustainable Development Goals. These pillars are translated into specific initiatives to which we focus as a bank.
Sustainable Finance
As a leading Ghanaian financial institution, we promote sustainable finance. We’re committed to supporting sustainable economic growth, expanding renewables financing, and investing in sustainable infrastructure where it is needed most.
In our day-to-day business operations, we apply international standards and best practices. We adopted the Environmental, social, and management system (ESMS) framework which we have embed directly into all our credit approval process. The framework guides the Bank in balancing the potential environmental and social risks with positive social and commercial impact arising from our business operations. We will not provide financial services support to clients who breach our ESMS framework. Read more about the framework here
We are passionate about communities and the impact our business directly or indirectly may impact on our communities, environment and stakeholder livelihoods.
What we believe
CalBank is very passionate about community involvement activities and we believe in investing and developing the community in which we operate. Referencing the SDG Pillar 4 of quality education, CalBank continues to invest in the education of less privileged children in the society. We believe that contributing to the development of well-educated individuals who are qualified, employable, and will make them contributors to the broader economy.
This is because education and culture form the foundations for social, economic, community development. We attach special priority to the underprivileged in society – needy children, the vulnerable, and other discriminated groups.
Our Core Objectives
Our objective of joining the promotion in the UN Sustainable Development Goals is to help tackle economic inequality through education, access to better health for all, entrepreneurship as a way of enhancing employability, and provision of affordable and clean energy.
Under listed are the Bank’s core objectives:
- To improve the level of education of the underprivileged in society and to contribute to the overall development of education in Ghana
- To make a positive contribution to the underprivileged by supporting a wide range of health initiatives
- To develop and promote the known and lesser-known sports as a means of fostering social integration
- To support access to affordable and clean energy
- To support and promote entrepreneurial skills and employability to the youth with special emphasis on women
- To promote arts and culture in Ghana
- To promote inclusive communities by addressing important societal needs
Our Focus
As a bank, our four (4) thematic areas of sustainable and social investment is in education with a special priority for the underprivileged (orphanages), healthcare, national arts and culture and sports development portray our interest and commitment to the sustainable development of our communities of operation.
Our values define our culture as a customer-centric bank.
At CalBank, we believe education helps alleviate poverty and builds a sustainable skilled workforce for the community. We further believe ensuring the underprivileged are well educated and equipped to become useful to the society is a better investment. Thus, the Bank’s decision to ensure that major contribution of its community involvement budget is dedicated to supporting our needy children’s educational project. This is in support of the SDG’s Pillar 4.
We adopted eight (8) Needy Homes across the country that we support beyond just providing financial and material assistance to the homes. To encourage hard work, we support the brilliant students through to their tertiary education. Upon completion, they are given an opportunity of internship with the Bank which normally ends in employment or in whichever endeavor of their preference. We also contributed to the construction of library blocks in refugee camps amongst development of other numerous educational institutions initiatives.
It is our view that needy children once taken care of and nurtured into good citizenship become more socially responsible citizens and an example/role model for others. Our policy therefore to support needy homes views the broader spill-over effect that this action presents.
We also actively sponsor workshops organized to give young people sound financial advice and a secure head start in life; we believe this will build a better and sustainable community and economy.
We love to make connections with the things Ghanaians are passionate about. Football is heartbeat of the nation. It brings communities together, develop human resources, create jobs and promote good well-being. As a Bank that sought to economically engage the youth along the coastline of Ghana, CalBank has been supporting the growth of Beach Soccer since inception in support of the UN sustainable development goal 3 which focuses on good health and well-being.
As a Bank we love to build inclusive societies using sports. To do that, we empower teams and organisations set up to promote known and lesser known sports as a means of fostering social integration.
The CalBank Beach Soccer Association, the premier beach soccer competition in Ghana, kicked off in 2013. CalBank’s role as a sponsor is to firstly provide the platform for teams from the coast to compete in the sport and to bring together fans to share in the passion. The soccer has now increased to other landlocked regions in the country. Annually, we provide jerseys and other sporting kits as part of its initiatives; we aid the usual running of the teams, trophies, traveling assistance for competition etc. This is the only competition in Ghana that addresses the development of beach soccer.
We also support the development of golf and the National Cricket Association especially with the strategy of empowering the young through sports.
Health and well-being is the basis upon which life thrives and it is a human right. The provision of healthcare services and infrastructure is another area we consider important. We have sponsored and supported worthy initiatives in the health services and have participated in public health campaigns. As a bank, we are proud to be associated with UNICEF’s and the Ghana Health Service drive to equip deprived hospitals with neonatal equipment. This is to help in the reduction of infant mortality. This passion to join in the fight to improve health for all as part of the SDGs Goal 3 has led to the Bank adopting this annual project where staff contribute to procure neonatal equipment for clinics and hospitals without any. Other initiatives are the construction of a theatre and surgical ward of a children’s hospital in the country and the Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Burns Centre at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Annually, we support the under listed health foundations in the delivery of healthcare.
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Burns Centre at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital
Ghana Heart Foundation
Ghana National Trust Fund
Judith Ellen Awuah Darko Foundation (Breast Cancer)
Ghana Blind Union, etc.
As a Bank, we view culture as an integral part of our corporate social investment. Our main aim with respect to culture is to preserve, sustain and integrate the regal, traditional and cultural values and practices to accelerate wealth creation and harmony for total national development.
Over the years, we have promoted and invested in the arts and culture in Ghana. We believe culture brings people together and we are proud to support cultural activities as it builds unity and fosters good relationships among the Ghanaian people.
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Burns Centre at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital
Ghana Heart Foundation
Ghana National Trust Fund
Judith Ellen Awuah Darko Foundation (Breast Cancer)
Ghana Blind Union, etc.
Other socially responsible initiatives:
Aside our focus on the four main pillars of CalBank’s community development, we are also committed to support some sectors that have been outlined below.
- SDGs Goal 13 of Climate Action. Staff across the bank undertook tree planting as one of their promises to help sustain the environment.
- SDGs Goal 1 of no poverty. To improve the living conditions of the underprivileged in homes that the bank was not sponsoring, especially the needy children in homes and children in need. More importantly, to make a positive difference in their lives
