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Mr Kojo Bode-Williams, Lead Project Manager for Ghana CSR Diary and Awards on Friday awarded 16 companies across the country for their sterling engagement in community development. The awarding scheme christened �Ghana Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Diary and Awards� was launched in 2011 by the former Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Hanna Tetteh and former President of AGI, Nana Owusu-Afari. The companies awarded were Nestle Ghana Limited, Huawei Technologies, MTN Ghana, Melcom Group, Liberty Group, All Pure Nature, Golden Sunbeam Charity School, Tech Needs Girls, Fun Milk Ghana, Wire Weaving Industry, New Crystal Hospital, and MacDan Shipping. The rest included IMPC, Golden Tulip and Business Day Ghana newspaper also received certificates for supporting CSR activities in the country. He said the awards had contributed enormously to interpreting the concept of CSR in the country and the extent of awareness, stressing that the Ministry of Trade and Industry is currently considering a CSR policy for companies. Mr Bode-Williams said research revealed that, many companies believed CSR ended with donation to the needy, but today, more corporate organizations are beginning to understand that CSR includes issues relating to staff welfare, adherence to acceptable industry standards, good corporate governance, and protection of the environment. He noted that the Ghana CSR Diary and Awards is Ghana�s biggest scheme to identify, interrogate, propagating and rewarding CSR initiatives and projects implemented by corporate organizations. The Awards is endorsed and supported by Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Integrity PR and many local and international media organizations across the West African sub-region. Mr James Asare-Adjei, President of AGI commended the organizers for the event adding that their efforts has demonstrated their commitment in supporting CSR programmes and not only focusing on profit. Mr Asare-Adjei said there is the need for businesses to strive to ensure sustainability in their fields of discipline and work assiduously in instituting strategic CSR projects to support society in which it works. He urged companies to see CSR as a long term investment and commended organizations who in spite of economic hardship, but still engaged in CSR activities hoping they will serve as inspiration for companies to emulate. He urged companies to adopt international bench mark business framework which is critical to the success of business.