AGI Industry Awards 2014 will cover more sectors – CEO

The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has indicated that the upcoming 3rd Ghana Industries Awards slated for November 22 would be expanded to cover more sectors of Ghana’s economy.

“It would be bigger, better and momentous compared to last awards in 2013,” said Mr. Seth Twum Akwaboah, the Chief Executive Officer of the Association during the launch of the event at the Alisa Hotel, Accra on Thursday.

Mr Twum Akwaboah further noted: “The unrivalled and unparalleled award program is expected to cover six major categories and twenty sectors with various criteria explored in qualitative context and beyond the twenty sectors that the awards intends to cover”.

AGI has the vision to ultimately span all the sectors within the national economy, identify industries and reward them in recognition of outstanding commitment to quality and excellence in the areas of customer satisfaction, leadership, innovation and technology, he added.

Mr. Twum-Akwaboah stressed that most governments are fond of citing the private sector as the engine of the economy.

“Indeed we as an advocate for the private sector recognize the fact that the private sector is actually the catalyst to economic development and also the main fulcrum on which all economic activities revolve so we have taken this giant step to boost their effort, appreciate their contributions, celebrate their performances, honor their achievements with paramount goal to propel them to a stellar growth,” he advanced as reason for the annual event.

He further submitted that the Association has instituted the AGI Industry Awards to reward companies in different areas of business performance.

This year’s awards ceremony is expected to climax the National Industry Week celebration.

“We believe we have made a qualitative leap this year in terms of scope. It is national in character and the ‘mother’ of all awards. It has come to stay taking cognizance of the fact that the industry has never had this before and indeed, AGI owes it to Industry to recognize the many achievements of businesses that have distinguished themselves.”

The key awards category includes overall Best Company of the Year Awards, Best Corporate Social Responsibility Company Award, Best Company Employer of the Year Award, Young Enterprise Company Award (Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award), Fastest Growing Company of the Year Award and Best Practices in Sustainable Manufacturing Company Award.

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, Stationery & Packaging, Rubber & Plastics, Toiletries & Cosmetics, Wood Processing, Business Promotion & Consultancy Company of the Year, Timber Miller of the Year, Advertising Company of the Year.

Mr. Seth Twum-Akwaboah also revealed that the main sponsors for the event are currently Ecobank, Activa and National Investment Bank, calling for more sponsors to come on board.

“Our doors are open for more sponsors – we call them partners for the AGI Industry Awards.”