Tax shorts- Let’s talk ESG

ESG (environmental, social and governance) is an umbrella term used to express a company’s collective commitment to environmental and social factors.

ESG is all about nding a balance between nancial returns, transparency, social interests, and the environment. Gone are the days where customers, investors, and stakeholders are just concerned about the bottom line, now, the focus is on environmental and social indicators which are equally as important. ESG is not just jargon.

It is an intense wave that really challenges businesses and corporations to rethink how they deal with the environment and people. The conversation has moved, and many organisa- tions’ stakeholders are redening what value means to them. They are moving away from the bottom-line argument and are now looking to deal with businesses that are socially responsible and environmentally conscious. Socially conscious investors only want to deal with securities and businesses that are “well-behaved” as far as ESG is concerned. ESG exists for us to leave the world in a better place than we found it. One can argue that ESG is a civic duty for all of us, as natural persons, as individuals and corporations.

So, what does this mean for businesses? It means telling a story. It means putting themselves out there. Gathering data, touting success stories, because at the end of the day, these are the metrics that set them aside from the competition. Businesses need to be transparent. The taxes they pay, the sheer number and amount, and the type of taxes, need to be made public, they need to be “out there”. Initiatives around corporate social responsibility as well as e orts made around diversity and inclusion in the workforce, need to be discussed. Case studies or success stories, create visibility, credibility and clarity around the value and application of change management. Being a pillar for change is important for businesses. It’s a tall order but very necessary for the ESG era.

French Minister Of State For Development, Ms. Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, visits Ghana

Ms. Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, Minister of State for Development, Francophonie and International Partnerships, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, paid an o cial visit to Benin, Togo and Ghana from 29 March to 3 April 2023.

In line with the speech of the President of France on 27 February 2023 this visit was an opportunity to highlight several priorities of the French government for a renewed partnership with Africa with a focus on youth, innovation and culture. In each of the three countries, the Secretary of State met with the authorities to review some major collaborative projects.

Ms. Chrysoula Zacharopoulou also highlighted the European dimension of France's commitment to each of these countries, as well as its solidarity in the face of the social and security challenges faced in certain regions.

In Ghana, the Minister of State toured the Freedom skate park built by Surf Ghana with the support of AFD and private partners, which serves as a sports venue for Ghanaian youth. At the University of Ghana, she attended the presentation of a Franco-Ghanaian research project on plastic recycling.

Mrs. Zacharopoulou met with the French and Francophone community at the Lycée Français international d'Accra and at Ecole Ronsard.

The Minister of State also visited the Osu Castle to pay hommage to victims of the slave trade.

The Minister of State’s program highlighted the deep and multi-dimensional partnership ties between both countries. She will meet local artists to discuss animation movie projects undertaken with France’s support and later visited a French rm investing in Ghana with “Team Europe” ambassadors.