Cenpower Generation Ltd (Cenpower), owner of the Kpone Independent Power Plant (KIPP), successfully held the second edition of its KIPP Clean Project at Sega Beach on recently.

This event reaffirms the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability through the protection of marine ecosystems.

The clean-up event, held at Sega Beach in Kpone, brought together over 200 volunteers, including employees from Cenpower Generation Ltd, Cenpower Operations and Services Ltd. (Cenops), Ecostar Limited and members of the Kpone Katamanso Municipal Assembly (KKMA), as well as local community members.

To maximise the collection of waste from the Sega shoreline, the services of Ecozoil, a company with expertise in mechanized beach cleaning and waste management services were also engaged in this year’s event.

The initiative is focused on addressing the persistent issue of plastic and waste pollution along the shoreline of the Sega Beach.

During the exercise, a total of over 200 tons of waste, including plastic debris, bottles, and other non-biodegradable materials was collected from the Sega Beach.

The KIPP Clean Project is aimed at fostering environmental and social well-being in the Kpone community where Cenpower’s operational activities is situated. Speaking at the event, Samuel Nana Brew-Butler, the Board Chairman of Cenpower, highlighted the company’s commitment to sustainability and community engagement.

He stated that “Our mission goes beyond powering Ghana’s future. We are committed to making a lasting, positive impact in our host community, Kpone.

"For nearly a decade, Cenpower has been a key player in the energy sector, and through initiatives like this, we reaffirm our dedication to environmental sustainability and the well-being of the communities we serve.

"This project reflects our long-term commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen and a true partner in community development.”

Theophilus Sackey, the Chief Executive of Cenpower reiterated the significance of the exercise, saying, “This initiative is part of Cenpower’s corporate and social responsibility to our community.

"This project is not only about cleaning a beach; our goal is to build a legacy of care for our environment and engaging with our community in meaningful ways.”

He added, “We are grateful to our stakeholders, including employees and partners, whose invaluable contributions demonstrate the power of collaboration in driving positive change. We hope to inspire others to join us in protecting our natural resources for future generations.”

Mr. Kwaku Asiedu Larbi, Acting Plant Manager of Cenpower Operations (Cenops), spoke on Cenops' support for the exercise.

“Supporting the KIPP Clean initiative aligns with Cenops’ commitment to operational excellence and corporate responsibility. As the operational arm of Cenpower, our responsibility goes beyond energy provision.

"It encompasses the well-being of the communities in which we operate. Environmental sustainability is central to our mission, and initiatives like the Sega Beach Clean-Up allows us to actively demonstrate this commitment.”

Representing the Kpone Katamanso Municipal Assembly (KKMA), Mr. William Nuertey Josiah, Presiding Member, commended Cenpower for its leadership in driving environmental sustainability.

“We are grateful for Cenpower’s initiative and proud to partner with them on this important project. The environmental challenges we face require collective action, and Cenpower is setting a strong example.

"There is a growing need for more partnerships and greater public awareness to tackle these issues, and this initiative is a step in the right direction.”

In his closing remarks, Dr. Jimmy Heymann, a Non-Executive Director of Cenpower, thanked all participants for their dedication to making the 2024 edition of the KIPP Clean Project a success.

“Today’s success shows what we can achieve when we come together as a community. We look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to make a meaningful impact for future generations.”

In addition to the beach clean-up exercise, key executive and management members from Cenpower together with representatives from Cenops and the KKMA took part in a coconut tree planting ceremony along the shoreline.

This effort symbolises Cenpower’s commitment to long-term environmental restoration and the enhancement of coastal resilience.

The coconut trees will help combat soil erosion, foster biodiversity, and create a sustainable, green coastline for future generations.