Ghana: ZEN Petroleum invests GH¢2 million in education for brighter futures

ZEN Petroleum Limited has made a significant commitment to support education at Future Leaders School (FLS) in La Kpeshie, Accra, by pledging a landmark GH¢ 2 million.

Partnering with Akwaaba Volunteers, ZEN Petroleum aims to enhance educational opportunities for underprivileged children. The goal is to provide quality education and improve learning conditions.

FLS, a non-governmental organization focused on educating less privileged children, will benefit greatly from ZEN Petroleum’s generous investment. The funds will support various initiatives, including a school bus donation, teacher salary subsidies, and a breakfast program benefiting over 300 students.

“Education is the cornerstone of a society’s progress, and at ZEN Petroleum, we firmly believe in empowering communities through quality education,” said William Tawiah, Chief Executive Officer of ZEN Petroleum. “Our partnership with Future Leaders School and Akwaaba Volunteers is a testament to our commitment to creating a brighter future for the next generation.”

The donation of a 24-seater Mercedes-Benz school bus, scheduled for Thursday, April 25, 2024, will revolutionize the daily commute for FLS students.

“One of the challenges we were facing was transportation to get the kids to school in the morning,” Mr. Tawiah explained. “Sometimes, the children had to wake up at 4 AM just to make it to class on time because they didn’t have their own transport.”

In addition to the bus donation, a portion of the funds will subsidize teacher salaries, ensuring that talented educators are recognized and retained at FLS. “The volunteers here are doing a wonderful job, working on very low salaries in a challenging environment,” Mr. Tawiah acknowledged. “We felt compelled to support them.”

Moreover, ZEN Petroleum’s investment has facilitated the introduction of a breakfast program, ensuring over 300 pupils start their day with a nutritious meal. Mr. Tawiah remarked, “A few months back, we became aware of the challenges faced by the children at Future Leaders School, particularly their lack of access to meals before school.” He continued, “This deeply moved us, and we were compelled to take action to support them.”

In addition to financial support, ZEN Petroleum is committed to actively engaging with FLS students through a coaching and mentoring program. This initiative aims to foster personal growth and inspiration among the students, demonstrating the company’s dedication beyond monetary assistance.

“Deciding which CSR project to support is always very difficult because the poverty gap in our country is quite wide,” the CEO reflected. “There’s a large percentage of people surviving on very little. However, this is our small way of showing that as a company, we take our social responsibilities seriously and strive to make a difference.”

ZEN Petroleum’s initiative is in line with its ZEN to Community (Z2C) program, which prioritizes education, health, safety, environment, and community engagement. As a leading entity in Ghana’s oil and gas sector, boasting a retail network comprising 50 active service stations and a workforce of 1,200 employees, the company acknowledges its significant role in spearheading beneficial transformations.

“In the future, we would like to think that in our small way, we can continue to contribute to the welfare of children and education,” Mr. Tawiah affirmed. “As the company grows, we’ll be able to do even more. Our hope is that by investing in the education of these young minds, we are fostering a brighter future for generations to come.”