The Sekondi-Takoradi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (STCCI) has held its 3^rdAnnual Public Lecture in Takoradi.

It was on the theme ‘Business and Culture – Ghana in the Global Business World’, and was attended by government officials, security services, bankers, organisations, traditional rulers as well as Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) within the Western and Central Regions.

Nana Kobina Nketsia V, Omanhene of Essikado Traditional Area who was the guest speaker, advocated for organisations and other investors both home and abroad to uphold and respect the culture of communities within which they operate.

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He recommended that STCCI should take a critical look at business and culture, given the advancement of global business in Ghana – especially in the Western Region.

He called on Ghanaians to be disciplined and embrace their culture while embarking on their business activities.

He said: “If your society is not disciplined you can’t have a successful business, and any business is a manifestation of its culture”.

At the panel discussion, which comprised of a mix of local and expatriate business corporate representatives such as Mr. Kwasi Amponsah Boateng, Social Performance Manager of Tullow Ghana Limited; Ms Stefanie Simons of STCCI and the Hamburg Chamber; Mr. Steve Neeson of Carmeuse Ghana Limited; and Mr. Ben Dzoboku of Republic Bank Ghana, engaged in a high-profile business discourse on the theme ‘Business and Culture’ and enlightened the audience on that subject.

It also touched on business opportunities and ‘Western Region, the growth-pole of Ghana’.  STCCI believes that making the Western Region the growth pole of Ghana will lead to “an acceleration of socio-economic development in Ghana”.

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It also serves as a curtain-raiser for the Chamber’s annual international conference dubbed ‘Ghana Extractive Industry Safety Conference’ (GEISCon). This year’s edition happens to be the fourth edition and is dubbed ‘Handling of Dangerous Goods: Global Standards and Existing Practices in Ghana’.

Mr. Ato Van-Ess, Chairman of STCCI, noted that most Chambers of Commerce conduct activities related to business.

However, he said, STCCI engages in both business and developmental issues, and as such STCCI represent the interests of both businesses and the general public.

“This is exemplified in the nature of projects and services which STCCI implements. Aside from the usual business development services STCCI renders to businesses, its projects are designed to benefit the general public as well,” he said.

Mr. Van-Ess said: “It is on note that STCCI thrives on three main project pillars. First is the operation of a Cooperative Credit Union called Western Chamber Credit Union (WESCCU). WESCCU has two branches in Takoradi and Elubo. Second is the operation of an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) system for settling commercial disputes; and the third pillar is the platform for promoting safety culture in Ghana”.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of STCCI, Mr. Vincent Annan outlined the Chamber’s state of affairs and touched on key activities undertaken in 2017 in its quest to meet the aspirations of members.

He mentioned the promotion of programmes and initiatives such as the Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) online Learning and Assessment Program; EHS Coaching Project; Ghana Extractive Industry Safety Conference; Research and Publication; Western Chamber Cooperative Credit Union (WESCCU); Business Dispute Resolution (ADR) as well as Trade Missions.

Source: thebftonline.com