MTN Ghana calls for a national sustainability policy to drive coordinated action

By Eugene Davis

The Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer of MTN Ghana, Adwoa Wiafe, has called for the establishment of a National Policy on Sustainability to ensure coherence and coordination in Ghana’s sustainability agenda.

According to her, such a policy would provide a clear framework that aligns the efforts of government, the private sector, and civil society towards achieving long-term environmental, social, and economic goals.

Speaking as a lead discussant on MTN’s Bright Conversations programme — held as part of the company’s Sustainability Week — Mrs. Wiafe emphasized that the absence of a unified national direction has often led to fragmented and overlapping projects.

“One challenge I’ve noticed is the lack of clarity around national policy direction. For instance, if you are implementing a solar energy project, there’s often no coordination or overarching framework to guide you,” she observed.

She, however, commended the creation of the Ministry of State in charge of Climate Change and Sustainability, describing it as a crucial step towards embedding sustainability principles in national policy.

“When there’s a clear policy framework, it gives confidence to investors and makes it easier for businesses to channel resources into sustainable products and initiatives. As a country, we need to be clear about where we want to go and how we intend to get there,” she added.

Mrs. Wiafe explained that corporate sustainability goes beyond philanthropy — it is about using resources efficiently to protect the planet while ensuring business resilience and profitability.

“At the very heart of corporate sustainability is how we utilize resources efficiently to protect our biosphere and nature, while operating in a commercially sound and resilient way,” she said.

She further disclosed that MTN Ghana is committed to supporting national efforts against illegal mining (galamsey), which has had a damaging impact on the environment and the company’s fibre optic network.

“Sustainability is not just about doing good; it’s about securing long-term value,” Mrs. Wiafe stressed, urging companies to integrate sustainability into their corporate culture and operations.

Joining the discussion, Dr. Kwabena Situ, Partner for Assurance and Financial Services Industry at Deloitte Ghana, described sustainability as both a risk and an opportunity for businesses.

He urged companies to strengthen their ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) frameworks and avoid “greenwashing,” by adopting credible global standards, engaging independent experts, and conducting external sustainability audits.

Dr. Situ also pointed to Ghana’s emerging carbon market, which he said could generate over US$1 billion by 2030, presenting significant opportunities for green financing and climate investments.

“Climate change, nature loss, extreme weather, and political instability are no longer distant risks — they are realities that are affecting businesses right now,” he cautioned.

He further highlighted the growing influence of consumer expectations:

“When consumers begin to ask the right questions about sustainability, businesses are compelled to act responsibly,” he added.

MTN Ghana reiterated its commitment to championing initiatives that promote inclusive growth, environmental stewardship, and responsible business conduct.

The company’s sustainability strategy is anchored on four pillars: Doing for People, Doing for Growth, Doing for Planet, and Doing it Right — reflecting its focus on social and economic development, environmental protection, and sound corporate governance.