GCTU Hosts ABSA BEN-Africa Conference On Ethical Businesses In Africa

The Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU) has hosted the Absa Business Ethics Network Africa (BEN-Africa) Conference from November 7 – 8, 2024, at its main campus.
Themed “Agenda 2063 and a Sustainable Africa: The Role of Ethical Business,” the two-day event brought together leaders from the public and private sectors in Ghana and the international circles to discuss ethical standards and decision-making in African businesses and the role of responsible leadership in realizing the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

In his opening address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa emphasized the event’s timely focus on ethics, sustainability and Africa’s economic future. He expressed the need for leaders in academia, industry and government to foster a sustainable and ethical future. Prof. Afoakwa also touched on Africa’s potential such as a growing youth-driven populations and diversifying economies and the challenges it faces, including climate change, inequality, and technological disruption. “Let this conference testify to our potential to advance ethical standards and work in unity toward a prosperous, sustainable Africa,” Prof. Afoakwa stated.

The Managing Director of Absa Bank Ghana, Mr. Edward Nartey Botchway, expressed gratitude to GCTU for hosting the conference, underscoring the importance of fostering a culture of ethics across industries. Citing the 2023 Global Business Ethics Survey, which found that 87% of employees perceive their workplace culture as lacking strong ethical standards, Mr. Botchway stressed the need for
organizations to prioritize ethics, transparency and open communication. “As leaders, we have the responsibility to set an example, create tangible change and inspire teams to uphold the highest ethical standards,” he said. He also advocated for comprehensive ethical training and concrete actions to guide daily decision-making.

Mr. Botchway acknowledged that while instances of misconduct remain high, there is optimism as more employees are increasingly willing to speak up and expect ethical leadership. He urged participants to cultivate a workplace culture where integrity and transparency are the norms.

On his part, the President of BEN-Africa, Dr. Bryan Robinson, highlighted the need for sustainability to be central to policy and business practices, especially in the face of pressing environmental challenges. He reiterated BEN-Africa’s mission to promote ethical business practices across the continent, stating, “Conferences like this are vital, especially amidst climate and ethical challenges that demand urgent solutions.” Dr. Robinson underscored the importance of prioritizing sustainability to avoid an unsustainable future for Africa.

The Aloe Award for Best Conference Paper was awarded to a research team from GCTU, led by Dr. Esther Asiedu for their paper titled “Exploring Ethical Operational Challenges of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): Implications for Sustainable Economic Integration in Africa.” This paper examined the ethical and operational challenges faced by the AfCFTA, offering insights into how these challenges impact sustainable economic integration efforts across the continent. Dr. Asiedu’s team included prominent researchers including Prof. Ebenezer Malcalm, Dr. Gertrude Amoakohene and Dr. Afia Nyarko Boakye, whose collaborative efforts brought to light the critical ethical dimensions of economic policies in Africa. The award highlights the significance of addressing ethics within the AfCFTA’s framework as Africa moves towards deeper economic unity.

Absa Bank played a pivotal role as a sponsor of the BEN-Africa conference. Speaking on behalf of Absa, the Marketing and Corporate Affairs Director for Absa Bank Ghana, Mrs. Nana Essilfuah Tamakloe, indicated that Absa’s values align with BEN-Africa’s mission to embed ethics in business across the continent. “We are a very ethical business and we actually deliver our business to serve our customers, our communities in an ethical manner,” Mrs. Tamakloe explained. “The values of both organizations are very well aligned, which is why Absa Group is the main partner for BEN-Africa.”

She emphasized that ethical business is not a one-time event but a continuous process that requires ongoing dialogue and engagement among governments, the private sector and organizations. Mrs. Tamakloe expressed the hope that through sustained efforts, Africa can realize Agenda 2063, fostering sustainable and ethical growth that benefits all stakeholders in the continent’s ecosystem.
The conference served as a platform for collaboration, reflection and action, with leaders uniting to explore how ethical practices can shape Africa’s future.