Zenith Bank (Ghana) Ltd. has successfully distributed specialized protective footwear to 1,000 underprivileged children in localities across Ghana where the bank operates.
This distribution is part of the bank’s “Happy Soles Project,” an initiative launched in celebration of the bank’s 19th anniversary. The project is designed to provide high-quality, health-protective footwear to children in schools and orphanages in underserved communities.
The specially designed shoes are infused with antibacterial agents to ensure hygiene, healing, and comfort for children, particularly in areas where hygiene practices and access to healthcare can be limited.
These shoes are made with biodegradable ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, which reduces waste and minimizes the environmental impact of plastic-based footwear, supporting sustainability efforts while addressing poverty-related health issues.
The footwear’s design not only ensures comfort and durability but also features health-enhancing properties that can help reduce the risk of soil-transmitted infections and other diseases commonly contracted from unsanitary living conditions.
This initiative is particularly significant in sub-Saharan Africa, where neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and soil-transmitted parasites are a major health concern.
Over 200 million people in Africa, including many school-age children, are at risk of contracting these infections. By providing shoes with antibacterial properties, Zenith Bank aims to mitigate the risk of infection, which can lead to better health outcomes and increased school attendance and performance.
The beneficiaries of the Happy Soles Project include students from Tsokome M/A Basic School in Kokrobite, Mama Happy Orphanage and School in Tema New Town, Ashaiman Government School No. 1, Aboabo Kese D.A. Basic/JHS in Kumasi, Sacred Heart Academy in Bolgatanga, Whindo M/A Primary and Junior High School in Takoradi, Tamale Children’s Home, and Nkrankrom L/A Basic School in Techiman, among others. In addition to these, the project also reached the Koforidua School for the Deaf, Gaddiel Acquaah Methodist ‘A’ Basic School in Tarkwa, Archbishop Amissah Memorial Basic School in Cape Coast, Wawasua L/A School in Sunyani, Tortibo D/A Basic School in Akosombo, and Adaklu Seva D/A Basic School in Ho.
During the presentation ceremony in Accra, Mr. Raymond Azungah, the Group Head of Marketing at Zenith Bank, emphasized that the Happy Soles Project aligns with the bank’s commitment to contributing to the well-being of communities where they operate.
He said, “At Zenith Bank, we believe that businesses thrive when they support the communities in which they operate. The Happy Soles Project reflects our commitment to investing in the best people and fostering a more equitable society where every child has the opportunity to thrive.”
The initiative also reflects Zenith Bank’s broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy, which spans several key areas, including education, health, ICT, human capital development, and youth empowerment.
The bank continues to prioritize sustainable development goals and seeks to address critical community needs while supporting environmental sustainability and community health initiatives.
The Happy Soles Project, which is set to expand in future years, underscores Zenith Bank’s commitment to providing practical and impactful solutions for underprivileged communities, while at the same time promoting a culture of responsibility and care for the environment.
By creating opportunities for children to learn and grow in healthier conditions, the bank hopes to pave the way for a brighter future for these children and the communities they live in.
