For the 157th Canada Day celebration this year, the Canadian High Commission partnered with Ghana Climate Innovation Centre supported entrepreneurs. The High Commission offered GCIC entrepreneurs the opportunity to co-sponsor the national day celebration, showcasing their business to the diverse group of invitees at the event which was held at the High Commissioner’s residence in Accra.
GCIC alumni business and catering company, Malindis gladly took up the offer not only to be a sponsor but to use their sponsorship to cater the food for the reception. It was an opportunity to showcase their business brand and sustainability focus to the wider diplomatic, public and private sector community. Using locally sourced vegetables and meat, cooked on sustainable biomass briquettes made from biodegradable green waste, which emit fewer greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide than traditional fuels, Malindis tantalized the guests’ palates.
Canada Day in Ghana underscores the significant milestones in Canada-Ghana relations, including the establishment of Canada’s first bilateral African development program in Ghana during the 1960s. With over US$3.2 billion in development assistance to date, Ghana stands as one of Canada’s most crucial international partners. Canada has a multifaceted partnership with Ghana spanning areas such as peace and security, trade and investment, economic growth, health, sanitation, agriculture, and climate action, which includes the GCIC partnership.
Hosted by the Canadian High Commissioner, the event was a convergence point for diplomats, public and private sector leaders, which Malindis now can leverage for unparalleled networking opportunities and visibility that will potentially lead to new partnerships, increased brand recognition, and potential business growth.
Malindis, as part of its commitment to sustainability and innovation through its participation in the GCIC incubator, has implemented significant eco-friendly changes to reduce its carbon footprint. Firstly, Malindis transitioned from using traditional wood charcoal to biomass charcoal for cooking, thereby reducing deforestation and carbon emissions. Secondly, the organization went off-grid by adopting 100% solar energy, showcasing a complete shift to renewable power sources. Finally, Malindis enhanced its food waste management practices, promoting a more sustainable and environmentally conscious approach to waste reduction which aims to contribute to tackling Ghana’s economic burden of food waste, estimated by the FAO to be approximately $750 million annually (FAO, 2019). By aligning with the values of environmental stewardship and innovation championed by both Canada and the GCIC, Malindis is demonstrating their leadership in sustainable catering and reinforcing their position as a forward-thinking enterprise in Ghana’s food industry.
