The Annual National Corporate Social Responsibility Conference to initiate a platform for national deliberations on CSR has been opened in Accra. The two-day conference under the auspices of the CSR Foundation is also to adopt a communiqué to serve as a conduit to encourage action from government, corporate organisations, civil society organisations, communities and society to form partnerships for sustainable development. The conference under the theme CSR: The new partnership agenda for sustainable development and corporate credibility, would be centered on vital issues concerning the promotion of partnerships through CSR for sustainable development. Speakers at the conference include Dr. Joyce Aryee, former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines; Mr. Kweku Rockson, former Director, Ghana Institute of Journalism; Mr Kwamena Anaman, former Corporate Affairs Director, Ashanti Goldfields Company. Other speakers are Mr. Bishop Akologo, Executive Director, Integrated Social Development Center (ISODEC); Professor Robert Hinson, Head of Marketing Department, University of Ghana Business School and Lawyer Akoto Ampaw, Legal Practitioner and a senior partner at Akufo-Addo, Prempeh & Co. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the CSR Foundation, Emmanuel Allotey-Pappoe said the conference is strategically focused on how CSR’s can stimulate economic growth in the country. He explained that corporate social responsibility is a vital tool which enhances corporate credibility within the communities they operate hence the need for organisations to make it the number one priority. Mr. Allotey-Pappoe noted that the conference seeks to establishing a yearly network point for corporate bodies, individuals and government to deliberate on global trends in CSR and how they can be applicable by local businesses in the country. The Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Sherry Ayittey who offered a key note address on behalf of the government, said in the context of climate change, CSR must enable businesses to better manage their environmental impacts. She said organisations must not only concentrate on profits but also on preserving the environment – a sure way for sustainable growth. Honourable Sherry Ayittey expressed worry at the spate at which filth has engulfed the country especially in the urban centres. “Our reckless pollution of our water bodies is very worrying. Filth has engulfed our capital due to our basic disregard for issues of sanitation which has far-reaching effects on our environment and its sustainability,” she bemoaned. The Environment, Science and Technology Minister stressed the need for corporate bodies to take CSR more serious. “Corporate Social Responsibility provides a voluntary framework that minimizes externalities and meet stakeholder expectation about the sustainability of all aspects of business activities,” she added. Sherry Ayittey promised government's commitment to ensuring a development that would meet the needs of the present generation without jeopardizing the ability of the future generations. Also present to grace the occasion were the Okyehene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panyin II, Reverend Father Andrew Campbell, Madam Joyce Aryee, members of Council of Patrons and of the Board of Trustees of CSR and experts in the area of CSR.