Absa Group Ghana Sponsors Business Ethics Africa Conference

Absa Group has announced its sponsorship of the Business Ethics (BEN) Africa Conference for the second year in a row. The conference, scheduled to take place from November 7-8, will be held at Ghana Communications Technology University and will explore the theme “Agenda 2063 and a sustainable Africa: the role of ethical businesses.”

The BEN-Africa Conference brings together organizations, leaders, and stakeholders from the private, public, and non-profit sectors who share a commitment to ethical decision-making in business practices across Africa. This year’s event will focus on leveraging the commitment and competence of African organizations and leaders to conduct business with moral integrity, particularly in support of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

Absa Group’s Chief Compliance Officer, Akash Singh, emphasized the significance of this sponsorship, aligning it with Absa’s mission to promote ethical business practices throughout Africa. “In keeping with Agenda 2063, we believe in Africa’s agency to co-create ethics-based business practices across the continent as we aspire for the Africa we want,” Singh stated.

He also highlighted the pressing issue of corruption in Africa, referencing African Union data that indicates the continent loses over US$140 billion to corruption annually. Singh noted, “Ethical businesses that operate in accordance with sound governance principles and integrity stand as one of the strongest weapons against this scourge and other illicit dealings that undermine Africa’s progress.”

President of the Business Ethics Network of Africa, Dr. Bryan Robinson, expressed his enthusiasm for partnering with Absa again. “It is an honour to collaborate with Absa once again as we drive conversations about reinforcing the moral fabric of African communities and businesses, thus promoting moral integrity in all our business dealings in Africa,” Robinson said.

An additional highlight of the conference is the Absa BEN-Africa Ethics Supplier Day on November 6. This event provides small businesses with the opportunity to participate in the Ethically Aware Supplier Induction Programme, developed by the Ethics Institute. The program aims to educate SMEs about ethical business practices, including bribery, anti-corruption, environmental, and human rights issues, equipping them with the tools to promote ethics within their organizations.

Absa Bank Ghana’s Compliance Director, Judith Haizel, emphasized the importance of this initiative. “Integrity and transparency are the keystones of our business operations. The Ethics Supplier Day is a direct reflection of our commitment to these values. We aim to empower our suppliers with the tools they need to do business ethically,” Haizel stated.

The BEN-Africa Conference is expected to be a significant event, fostering discussions and strategies to reinforce ethical business practices across the continent, ultimately contributing to a sustainable and prosperous Africa.