The Chief Executive Officer of TSL Sustainability, Dr Ing Shelter Lotsu, has urged the government to make Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting mandatory for companies operating in Ghana.

According to him, without such a framework, the country risks losing out on vital benefits from international business partnerships.

Speaking at a media engagement on the sidelines of the ESG and Sustainability Reporting Summit on September 1, 2025, Dr Lotsu noted that while multinational companies comply with strict sustainability reporting standards in their home countries, Ghana currently operates under a voluntary system that provides little accountability.

“Unfortunately, these benefits do not extend to our country because there is no regime compelling companies operating here to report their environmental and social impacts. We are living under a voluntary regime of reporting, which means companies decide whether to disclose or not,” he explained.

Dr. Lotsu argued that the absence of mandatory ESG reporting deprives Ghana of crucial data and opportunities to measure how businesses contribute to society, particularly in sectors such as resource extraction, manufacturing, and banking.

“Frameworks such as the Global Reporting Initiative and others are already being used in Europe, America, and Asia. They ensure companies report how they are protecting the environment, reducing poverty, and impacting communities. These are the issues at the heart of ESG, and Ghana cannot afford to be left behind,” he said.

The TSL CEO stressed that the intended outcomes of the summit are to influence policy and strengthen Ghana’s sustainability framework in collaboration with government.

“We want the government to hear us. We want the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, and all relevant ministries to align with sustainability. There is already a Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, which shows the government’s commitment. Our role is not to force government but to assist in creating a pathway that makes sustainability central to addressing Ghana’s developmental issues,” he added.

He further called on both public institutions and private companies to treat ESG not as a corporate burden but as an essential tool for ensuring inclusive growth and accountability.

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SSD/MA