4th AGI Awards launched in Accra

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, has tasked the private sector to exploit more innovative ways of expanding the country’s industrial and manufacturing base to create jobs.

According to him, the private sector is the best area to propel the economic fortunes of the country in view of its capacity to create more jobs as against that of the civil and public service.

Dr Spio-Garbrah made the remarks when he launched the fourth edition of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) Awards yesterday.
The awards, dubbed "Patronising made-in-Ghana goods to build strong industries", which is due to come off in November 2015, seeks to promote and maintain high business standards among the Ghana business industries.

Dr Spio-Garbrah urged businesses to work harder to build values and create innovations through best practices, adding that the government recognised the efforts of the local industries.

Made-in-Ghana goods

Commenting on the theme, Dr Spio-Garbrah said it was important to remind Ghanaians of the benefits of patronising locally manufactured goods while reshaping the economy into an export-led one.

He said Ghanaian local businesses ought to look towards the direction of developing the local economy as well as promoting made-in-Ghana products.

He, however, stated that the awards formed an integral part of government’s effort to promote made-in-Ghana products.
The President of AGI, Mr James Asare-Adjei, addressed the current situation of doing business in Ghana in terms of energy supply and international competition.

He said the current erratic power supply created a gloomy picture of the challenges the local manufacturers were facing and that there was very little the industry could do without power supply.

Awards

The Chairperson of the AGI Awards and Research Committee, Mrs Nora Bannerman-Abbott, said the awards would honour companies that had achieved outstanding success in various areas of industry and innovation.

She indicated that the awards would bear the made-in-Ghana logo on the plaques to demonstrate the commitment of local manufacturers and promote the Ghanaian products and culture.

The key award categories include Overall Best Company of the Year; Best Corporate Social Responsibility Company; Best Company Employer of the Year; Young Enterprise Company (Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award); Fastest Growing Company of the Year; and Best Practices in Sustainable Manufacturing Company.

The sectors include agribusiness, automotive & transport, chemicals, electricals & electronics, energy, food & beverages, financial services, garments, textiles & leather, hospitality & tourism, Information, Communication & Technology, metals, building & construction, oil & gas services, pharmaceuticals, printing, rubber & plastics, toiletries & cosmetics, and wood processing,