Zenith Bank Ghana Distributes Protective Footware  to Support Underprivileged Children

Zenith Bank (Ghana) Ltd has launched the “Happy Soles Project,” distributing specialized protective footwear to 1,000 underprivileged children in the localities where the bank operates. This initiative is part of the activities marking the bank’s 19th anniversary.

The project provides prophylactic shoes, which are specially designed, long-lasting, and infused with antibacterial agents to promote hygiene, healing, and comfort. The locally manufactured shoes are made from biodegradable ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, aiming to reduce waste and environmental impact while addressing the negative effects of poverty and preventable diseases among underserved populations.

Beneficiaries of the initiative include schools and orphanages such as Tsokome M/A Basic School in Kokrobite Accra, Mama Happy Orphanage and School in Tema New Town, Ashaiman Government School No. 1, Aboabo Kese D.A. Basic/JHS in Kumasi, Sacred Heart Academy in Bolgatanga, Whindo M/A Primary and Junior High School in Takoradi, Tamale Children’s Home, and Nkrankrom L/A Basic School in Techiman.

Additional institutions that received the bank’s support are the Koforidua School for the Deaf and Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Gaddiel Acquaah Methodist ‘A’ Basic School in Tarkwa, Archbishop Amissah Memorial Basic School in Cape Coast, Wawasua L/A School in Sunyani, Tortibo D/A Basic School in Akosombo, and Adaklu Seva D/A Basic School in Ho.

At the presentation ceremony in Accra, Mr. Raymond Azungah, Group Head – Marketing at Zenith Bank, stated, “The Happy Soles Project is Zenith Bank’s means of addressing a crucial need of underprivileged children by providing them with proper footwear for their educational pursuits. At Zenith Bank, we believe that businesses thrive when they support the communities where they operate. The Happy Soles Project underscores our commitment to investing in the best people and environment and fostering a more equitable society where every child has the opportunity to thrive.”

In Sub-Saharan Africa, where Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and soil-transmitted parasites pose a major health threat to children, preventive measures like the Happy Soles Project improve children’s health and enhance school attendance and educational outcomes. The antibacterial properties and biodegradable EVA foam of the footwear align with environmental sustainability standards and withstand various climatic conditions, representing the bank’s integrated approach to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The Happy Soles Project is part of Zenith Bank’s broader CSR strategy, focusing on education, health, ICT, human capital development, and youth empowerment.