Ghanaian conglomerate First Sky Group is backing the construction of a GH¢15 million ($1.2 million) Scripture Union campsite, in a move that links corporate social responsibility with long-term investment in youth and human capital.
Executive Chairman Eric Seddy Kutortse said the 14-acre project at Aburi-Pepawani is designed to provide a permanent space for youth camps, leadership programmes and moral development at a time when social media influence and materialism are reshaping Ghana’s cultural landscape.
“We are raising leaders, not just money,” Kutortse told guests at a fundraising dinner in Accra. “When we are gone, the Gospel must not fade with us. So let us act now.”
The facility will include a 1,000-capacity auditorium, accommodation blocks, chalets, prayer gardens and sports infrastructure. Scripture Union, Ghana’s largest independent evangelical body, has operated since 1890 and runs nationwide programmes focused on Bible study, character building and leadership formation.
CSR Meets Human Capital Strategy
For First Sky, the investment reflects a broader corporate strategy to align philanthropy with Ghana’s demographic reality. With youth comprising more than half of the population, Kutortse said businesses cannot ignore the need for stronger moral anchors and structured development spaces.
Industry analysts say such investments carry reputational benefits for companies operating in a competitive market where trust and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) credentials are increasingly critical. “Supporting youth development builds not just goodwill but also a more disciplined and resilient future workforce,” said one Accra-based business consultant.
Kutortse, whose personal values were shaped by his own experience in Scripture Union at Kpando Secondary School, stressed transparency in handling contributions. “Ghanaians are generous, but they must never be taken for granted,” he said, warning project managers that accountability will determine long-term donor confidence.
Youth as Economic Assets
The initiative is seen as particularly relevant for Ghana’s economy, where more than 600,000 young people enter the job market annually with limited formal opportunities. Advocates say programmes that combine moral guidance with leadership training can create a more grounded pool of entrepreneurs and employees.
“This campsite offers an ideal environment for young people to find direction, resilience and purpose, skills that feed directly into economic productivity,” said Rev. Albert Ocran, Senior Pastor of The New Wine Temple and a Scripture Union alumnus.
Closing Gaps
Scripture Union leaders say venue shortages, coupled with education policies restricting the use of school facilities for camps, have created an urgent need for a permanent site. General Director Rev. Derek Koomson said the project will safeguard the Union’s ability to reach future generations with structured programmes.
If managed effectively, the initiative could become a model for how Ghanaian businesses deploy CSR to address gaps in social infrastructure while contributing to broader economic resilience.
“Anchoring youth development through faith-based and leadership programmes may not show immediate profit, but it builds the human foundation on which business and society thrive,” one observer said.
