Access Bank launches campaign to donate 13,000 sandals to school children

Accra, Oct 20, GNA – Access Bank (Ghana) Plc has unveiled “A Sandal More for a better tomorrow” campaign, a societal impact drive which donated a premier set of 1000 sandals to basic schools across five regions of Ghana on Friday, October 20, 2023.

A statement issued by Access Bank Ghana, copied to the Ghana News Agency said over the next three-five years, the campaign would provide over 13,000 high-quality, eco-friendly footwear for underprivileged pupils from selected regions in Ghana valued at over one million Ghana Cedis.

It said in partnership with Chaint Afrique, a prominent environmental sustainability organization, the focus of the campaign was to promote the innovative upcycling of used car tires into eco-friendly, durable school sandals.

It noted that this initiative thus tackles the dual needs of promoting quality and inclusive education for all children through the provision of sandals for underprivileged children, and the promotion of environmental sustainability.

It said this visionary endeavour was rooted in Access Bank’s unwavering commitment to sustainability, seamlessly aligning with Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 12, which emphasize quality and inclusive education and responsible production and consumption respectively.

Speaking about the campaign, Mr Olumide Olatunji, Managing Director of Access Bank Ghana, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “‘A Sandal More’ campaign exemplifies our enduring commitment to positive societal impact”.

He reiterated that by addressing both educational needs of underprivileged children and environmental challenges, they were actively shaping a future where economic, social, and environmental prosperity go together.

“The overwhelming support received for “A Sandal-More Campaign” has been nothing short of extraordinary,” he said.

“We are immensely grateful for the help we have received so far with the campaign. The unwavering support of customers and staff and online community to donate their old tires for this worthy is commendable and will make a positive impact on countless lives.”

Also touching on the importance of the project, Mr Oluwaseun David-Akindele, the Head of Corporate Communications and Brands Management at Access Bank Ghana, said research has shown that over 20 million children in Africa lack footwear which imp

“A sandal more campaign seeks to contribute to bridging this gap so that children everywhere can enjoy their education for a better tomorrow,” he said.

Mr Venan Sondo, Chief Executive Officer of Chaint Afrique, emphasized the significance of its partnership with the Bank; saying “this collaboration showcases the power of collective action towards a more sustainable future”.

“We believe that by repurposing used tires into eco-friendly sandals, we are not only reducing environmental harm but also providing children with basic needs to support their commute to school and elsewhere.”

Access Bank is a leading financial institution committed to sustainable banking and making a positive impact in the communities it serves.

With a focus on responsible finance, Access Bank leverages its resources and expertise to drive economic, social, and environmental prosperity.

The Bank’s leadership in driving sustainability and corporate social responsibility has been recognized by reputable international and local awards including best CSR bank by Euromoney, Global Brands Magazine, World Economic Magazine and Finance Derivative award in 2023.

Access Bank remains committed to ensuring that shareholders, customers, and staff enjoy a more-than-banking experience.

The bank presently operates through more than 700 branches and service outlets in 18 countries, including the UAE, UK, and France, and three representative offices in China, India, and Lebanon.

GNA