In its bid to foster a nationwide culture of sustainability while championing the attainment of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Fidelity Bank, Ghana’s largest privately-owned indigenous Bank has officially sealed a partnership with the SDGs Advisory Unit.

The partnership seeks among other things to fast-track the adoption and integration of sustainability principles across various sectors of business, commerce and society.

It further goes to underscore Fidelity Bank’s stated commitment to the establishment of sustainability as a core facet of the Bank’s strategy for 2023 and beyond.

Towards this end, the two parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at a brief ceremony held at the head office of Fidelity Bank to signify their mutual commitment to the pursuit and promotion of sustainability consciousness across various sectors of the country.

The Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, Julian Opuni, signed the agreement on behalf of the Bank while the Presidential Advisor on SDGs, Dr Ernest Owusu, ratified the agreement for the SDGs Advisory Unit. 

Speaking after the MOU signing event, Dr Ernest Owusu, averred that the partnership between Fidelity and the SDGs Advisory Unit marks a pivotal step in the journey towards attaining a future that is both sustainable and inclusive, contributing to progress within the local community and the global stage.

He indicated that going forward, Fidelity Bank would play a key role in policy dialogues initiated by the SDGs Advisory Unit, leveraging its financial insights and expertise to influence the formulation of impactful sustainable development policies at both the local and global levels.

Dr Ernest Owusu also added that the partnership would contribute to a greener, more equitable, and sustainable world by driving positive change in critical developmental areas such as entrepreneurship, sustainable finance, education, environmental protection, financial inclusion, food security, and gender equity.

Mr Opuni, Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Ghana, expressed enthusiasm for the joint efforts, stating, “As a financial institution, we are acutely aware of our critical role in ensuring a sustainable future for our planet, communities, and the economy.

"In line with this, we have begun integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concepts into all aspects of our operations and continue to make significant strides in our sustainability journey. We have also ensured that our strategy aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals.

"We are thus delighted to concretize our partnership with the SDGs Advisory Unit today in our bid to drive widespread adoption of sustainable practices across diverse sectors and groupings in Ghana and beyond.”  

Head of Partnerships, Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility at Fidelity Bank, Nana Yaa Ofori-Koree, reiterated that, “We are fully convicted that our alliance with the SDGs Advisory Unit will further bolster the inroads we are making with our key sustainability pillars; Sustainable Finance, Sustainable Operations and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

"Our sustainable finance pillar will see the bank collaborating with customers and stakeholders to develop financing solutions that drive economic growth while safeguarding the environment and promoting social progress.

"On the sustainable operations pillar, we aim to reduce our carbon footprint and incorporate ESG principles on energy and resource-use efficiencies and gender diversity into our operations, lending, and credit management practices.

"On the CSR front, the bank will support economic empowerment for the youth, women and vulnerable target groups and increase access to quality education by providing learning and teaching materials and improving school infrastructure.

"With the aid of our partners from the SDGs Advisory Unit, we are confident of attaining all these goals and more importantly supporting and inspiring other organisations and groupings to do likewise."

Fidelity Bank has over the past year embarked on an ambitious sustainability and social impact strategy led by the Bank’s Partnerships, Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) department.

So far, the Bank has spearheaded a variety of nationwide initiatives primarily to promote Quality Education (SDG 4), Gender Equality (SDG 5) and Climate Change (SDG 13) that have benefited approximately 12,000 individuals.

This includes; Orange Impact, the Bank’s ongoing flagship CSR program in education that has culminated in the erection of an ultra-modern school facility for the pupils of Duose DA Primary School in Duose, Wa, and the recent commissioning of a similar project in Fodome, Volta Region.

Other ongoing projects include the Bank’s Employee Volunteering Program (EVP), Touching the Lives of Girls Summit; a forum to educate and empower young girls, among others.