The Melcom Group of Companies, Ghana's largest retail outlet has spent over GH¢ 25 million in the last decade to support community projects in health and education.The Managing Director of Mel­com Group, Mr Ramesh Sadhwani who disclosed this at a press soiree in Accra on Wednesday, said his company's support in the health and educational sectors were in line with its Corporate Social Responsi­bility (CSR) policy.The press soiree was organised by Melcom to deepen the compa­ny's relationship with the media and to highlight Melcom's commu­nity support initiatives.In the area of health, the Manag­ing Director said Melcom has built and renovated a number of health infrastructure across the country, particularly in deprived communi­ties.Melcom has also provided med­ical equipment, including medical fridges to support health institu­tions to store blood safely.Mr Ramesh said his company has for many years organised and funded blood donation drives to help stock the nation's blood banks.He said for this year alone, 3000 pints of blood have been donat­ed, adding that this will go a long way to help provide blood timely for expectant mothers, accident victims and anaemic children.In the area of education, Mr Ramesh stated that Melcom provides annual scholarships to children of employees of the company to pursue various pro­grammes in educational institu­tions across the country, adding that the Melcom Group employs over 5000 workers.The Managing Director disclosed that Melcom has also signed a Memoradum of Under­standing (MoU) with the Univer­sity of Media, Arts and Commu­nications (UNIMAC) to sponsor the Best Graduate in Journalism in honour of the late Founder and Chairman, Mr Bhagwan Ram­chand Khubchandani."We will also provide spon­sorship for the Best Graduate in Journalism to pursue a Mas­ter's Degree also at UNIMAC in honour of the late Mr Godwin Avernogbo, who was our Director of Communications," he added.This initiative according to Mr Ramesh, is aimed at assisting to improving journalism standards in the country.

Noting that, a vi­brant, ethical and responsible me­dia is imperative for the country's social and economic development.He entreated journalists to con­tinue to work hard to deepen the country's democracy and stability in order to make Ghana a more attractive investment destination.The Group Executive Direc­tor of Melcom, Madam Sonya Sadhwani, also commended the media for their support in high­lighting Melcom's CSR initiatives.Madam Sonya took the oppor­tunity to introduce Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, as Melcom Group's Communications and Business Strategy Consultant.She said Dr Awal's, expertise as a journalist, businessman, market­er and politician makes him ideal for the role.Dr Awal was once a Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Minister for Business Develop­ment and also Managing Director of Graphic Communications Group Limited.

He has also con­sulted for local and international organisations. BY TIMES REPORTER