It was a moment of reflection, celebration, and profound inspiration at the Fiesta Royal Hotel in Accra on Monday as COB-A Group of Companies, producers of the iconic Standard Water brand, marked three decades of providing quality packaged water to Ghanaians.
The event, dubbed “Standard Water @ 30,” brought together board members, management staff, cherished partners, and members of the media fraternity to celebrate a milestone that stands as a beacon of indigenous enterprise in Ghana.
A Journey Rooted in Faith and Vision
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Professor John Kweku Mensah Mawutor, the Registrar of UPSA, Mrs. Lorraine Buerki Gyan, described the 30-year journey as far more than a measure of time.
“Thirty years is not just a measure of time; it is a testament of vision, resilience, discipline, and above all, faith,” Mrs. Gyan declared. “Christ Our Banner—COB-A—is not merely a name; it is a declaration. It reflects a deep-seated belief of reliance on God as a foundation of this enterprise.”
She noted that in a business environment often driven purely by profits, COB-A has demonstrated that faith and enterprise can coexist and indeed reinforce one another.
From its earliest days, the company set out with a clear and noble purpose—to improve the quality of packaged water in Ghana at a time when the industry was still evolving. Rather than taking the easy path, COB-A chose the path of excellence, which has since become the hallmark of Standard Water.
Innovation Through Continuous Improvement
Mrs. Gyan highlighted the company’s remarkable trajectory of technological advancement, from early cartridge filtration through acolyte systems to the current state-of-the-art reverse osmosis technology.
“The company has consistently invested in advanced quality systems to ensure that every drop of water meets the highest standards,” she said.
She particularly commended the company’s repository facility, which draws water from the Prairie River, establishing what is widely recognised as the largest privately owned water filtration system in Ghana.
“This is not only a national achievement but a pioneering milestone among local manufacturers in West Africa,” Mrs. Gyan emphasised. “This level of innovation sends a strong message: Ghanaian companies can lead, innovate, and compete at the highest level when they are driven by purpose and vision.”
People: The Heart of the Enterprise
The UPSA Registrar underscored that beyond systems and infrastructure, COB-A’s greatest strength lies in its people. The company has made deliberate investments in staff education and capacity building.
“Today, it is remarkable that even among the least formally qualified staff, many hold first degrees, mostly and proudly from the University of Professional Studies—the
only professional university on the Sahara,” she noted with pride.
Even more inspiring, she revealed, is that about 40 per cent of management rose through the production line. Through continuous education and company support, individuals have grown from entry-level roles into leadership positions.
“This is not just human resource development,” Mrs. Gyan stated. “This is human transformation.”
Academia-Industry Partnership: A Model to Emulate
Mrs. Gyan commended the symbiotic relationship between COB-A and academic institutions, particularly UPSA, which has served as a key partner in training and developing the company’s workforce.
“Continuous learning has not only enhanced operational excellence but has also positioned COB-A as a learning organisation—one that evolves with time,” she said. “This partnership between industry and academia is a model worth emulating across Ghana and beyond.”
Values That Sustain
At the core of COB-A’s journey lie enduring values: trust in God, commitment, integrity, customer-centredness, and a can-do spirit.
“These values are not mere words on paper,” Mrs. Gyan stressed. “They are lived principles that have guided decisions, shaped culture, and sustained growth over three decades.”
She also praised the company’s
commitment to staff welfare and inclusivity, noting that COB-A provides medical support, end-of-year incentives, and continued care even for retirees.
“This sense of belonging and security fosters loyalty, productivity, and pride among staff,” she observed.
Additionally, the company’s openness to tertiary students through internship and national service opportunities speaks volumes about its commitment to the future.
A Charge for the Future
Concluding her address, Mrs. Gyan charged the company to remain rooted in its values, continue investing in its people, and never compromise on quality.
“Blessed is the people whose God is the Lord,” she quoted from Psalm 144:15. “So blessed are you that you have chosen this our God, the ever-faithful God, to be your God. May your way be smooth and may the path ahead of you be fruitful.”
Executive Chairman’s Address: A Call to Academia
In his address, the Executive Chairman of COB-A Group of Companies Ltd, Mr. Divine Otoo Agorhom, expressed gratitude to management and staff for their commitment and loyalty throughout the challenging journey.
He extended a compelling challenge to academic institutions, particularly UPSA, to research why many indigenous Ghanaian organisations fail within five years while others like COB-A thrive.
“In Ghana, and I want to believe in many parts of Africa, the story is that many indigenous organisations don’t go beyond five years,” Mr. Agorhom observed. “By the grace of God, we are celebrating 30 years today.”
He called on research institutions to investigate the factors behind both the failure of infant organisations and the success of established ones, noting that such findings could help grow more Ghanaian-owned businesses.
“If today we are hearing the story of COB-A Group of Companies Ltd, once upon a time our staff strength was in excess of 4,000 because of the business model we were running at the time. Now we’ve changed the model, and we are all over 14 regions. Even then, we are in excess of 1,500 as we speak,” he revealed.
He stressed the importance of deliberately growing Ghanaian-owned organisations, noting that COB-A remains 100 per cent Ghanaian-owned.
“We are not to discourage foreign investment, but we think that as they come and share experience with us, we should also deliberately be growing Ghanaian-owned organisations,” he said.
Overcoming Adversity
Mr. Agorhom shared two significant challenges the company faced, both of which tested its resilience.
In 2009, a competitor launched a propaganda campaign against the brand, making false claims that severely damaged Standard Water’s reputation.
“We would load our products, go to town, and have to bring them back because the brand had been badly damaged,” he recalled. “It took the grace of God and the commitment of management and staff.”
In another instance, a competitor positioned itself just over the company’s wall and took away over 250 staff members.
“Most of the management and staff we are seeing here stayed,” Mr. Agorhom said with evident gratitude. “Today, both those organisations are nowhere to be found.”
Looking Ahead
As COB-A Group of Companies looks to the future, the message is clear: the journey does not end here. The next 30 years present even greater opportunities for expansion, innovation, and deeper impact.
Mrs. Gyan’s charge resonated throughout the hall: “Stay rooted in your values, continue to invest in your people, and never ever compromise on quality. If you do so, the banner—Christ Our Banner—will continue to lead you to even greater heights.”
The celebration served not only as a commemoration of past achievements but as a powerful testament to what Ghanaian enterprise can accomplish when built on a foundation of faith, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
By Kingsley Asiedu
