From Compliance to Opportunity: How MTN Ghana is Embedding ESG in Business
MTN Ghana held its “Bright Conversation – Sustainability Week,” a week-long initiative focused on the theme, “Sustainability: Our Collective Responsibility.”
The event underscores MTN’s dedication to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and its commitment to creating positive change.
Speaking at the event, Madam Adwoa Afriyie Wiafe, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer of MTN Ghana, highlighted the integral role of ESG in MTN’s business strategy. “Our strategy places ESG at the heart of everything we do because we believe in shared value—benefiting our stakeholders, the environment, and economic development,” she stated.
“This week is all about raising awareness within MTN and beyond on the importance of sustainability and responsible business practices.”
Throughout the week, MTN Ghana organized discussions and panels, bringing together employees and stakeholders to explore how ESG principles can drive both environmental responsibility and social impact.
The conversations spanned topics like achieving net-zero emissions by 2040, fostering social impact through the MTN Foundation, and promoting digital inclusion.
On environmental initiatives, MTN has taken substantial steps towards carbon footprint reduction by transitioning data centers to solar energy and enhancing energy efficiency within its facilities.
Madam Wiafe emphasized, “Our ambition is to achieve net-zero by 2040, and that goal is shaping our investments in sustainable energy sources.”
In the social sphere, MTN is supporting local communities through healthcare, education, and economic empowerment initiatives.
This includes financial aid for youth- and women-led businesses and training programs focused on building digital skills for the future. “Yesterday in Koforidua, we provided financial support to SMEs owned by young people, women, and people with disabilities,” she shared, illustrating MTN’s commitment to socio-economic development.
The week’s activities reinforced MTN Ghana’s dedication to ESG principles, making clear that sustainability is indeed a shared responsibility.
“It’s not just about us,” Madam Wiafe remarked, “but a call to everyone—both within and outside MTN—to contribute to the sustainability of our planet and to drive positive change in our communities.”
With Sustainability Week, MTN Ghana is positioning itself as a leader in responsible business, setting a standard that highlights the shift from mere compliance to proactive opportunity in embedding ESG values into business.
During a panel discussion, Dr. Felix Addo-Yobo, Deputy Director and Advisor of the SDGs Advisory Unit at the Office of the President, shared insights on the journey of businesses embracing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, emphasizing the critical role of data and genuine integration.
He explained that businesses often move through stages in their approach to ESG, from non-compliance, to compliance under regulatory pressure, to eventually making ESG an intrinsic part of their operations.
This journey, he noted, transforms ESG into a core business value rather than a mere “tick-box” exercise.
Businesses that genuinely integrate ESG, he suggested, are less likely to fall into greenwashing and more capable of reporting authentic impacts due to their commitment and resource allocation.
Addo-Yobo highlighted the need for companies to look inward and address governance issues, including equitable pay, flexible work arrangements, and overall staff welfare.
He noted that when these elements are in place, businesses become more productive and establish stronger reputations with both stakeholders and the wider public.
For him, sustainable business practices ultimately yield a positive cycle: happier employees contribute to company success, which in turn benefits shareholders and communities.
Bernard Owusu Ansah, Manager of Governance, Risk, and Compliance at KPMG, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of setting clear ESG ambitions and integrating them into corporate strategies.
He noted that companies need leadership commitment to foster a culture of sustainability, citing MTN as an example.
While a telecommunications company may not seem directly connected to climate impacts, there are emissions associated with data centers that need addressing.
For KPMG, ESG is seen as a holistic business approach that requires rethinking the entire model and engaging all departments.
In addressing the risk of greenwashing, Ansah outlined various forms it can take, from blatant misrepresentation to quiet omissions.
He advocated for robust internal education to prevent employees from unintentionally spreading misleading information.
He also recommended that companies view ESG through a lens of transformation and strategic opportunity, rather than as a compliance requirement, to ensure genuine, measurable impact.
Mina Pokuaa Agyemang, the Participant Engagement and Outreach Manager at UN Global Compact Ghana, touched on the operational aspects of ESG integration, particularly in relation to how businesses contribute to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
According to her, companies should assess the sustainability of employment they provide, moving beyond just job creation to ensure fair wages and enabling work environments.
She highlighted the UN Global Compact’s four pillars—human rights, labor rights, environmental sustainability, and anti-corruption—as guiding principles for responsible business practices.
Agyemang, also stressed the value of accessible resources, pointing out tools such as the SDG Manager, which assists companies in identifying relevant SDGs and integrating sustainability into their models.
She encouraged companies to explore platforms that offer free training on sustainable practices, which are essential for understanding and implementing ESG strategies.
Additionally, she acknowledged the challenges of varying reporting standards, expressing hope for a more consolidated framework to simplify compliance for businesses.
Overall, the panel underscored that ESG efforts must transcend surface-level actions, becoming deeply embedded in both strategic vision and daily operations.
They called for deliberate, innovative solutions to pressing environmental and social issues, with all companies having a responsibility to participate in this transformation.
Through collaboration, continued education, and genuine commitment, businesses can create meaningful impacts for society, the economy, and the planet.
Source: Isaac Kofi Dzokpo/newsghana.com.gh
