The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Investment Promotion Council (GIPC), Yofi Grant, has stated that government would assist manufacturing companies to create more employment opportunities for Ghanaians.

He said government would assist the manufacturing companies to add more value to the country’s raw materials and also attract more foreign direct investment to the sector.

The GIPC boss made this known at the second edition of the Ghana Beverages Awards, held in Accra last Friday.

He called on the beverage manufacturers to also look at organic drinks since there were lots of marketing potentials in it, and also take advantage of the agricultural sector since most of their raw materials come from there.

He added that GIPC was working hard to achieve the President’s vision of making Ghana the business destination for Africa.

At the event, honorary awards were given to the Food Research Institute of the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Consumer Protection Agency, and the Food and Beverages Association of Ghana.

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and the Ghana Standard Authority (GSA) were also given honorary awards.

Spirit of the year went to Castle Bridge from GIHOC Distilleries Company Limited while Guinness from Guinness Ghana Brewery Limited (GGBL) won beer of the year.

Bel-Aqua mineral water from Blow Chem Industry won water of the year while Blue Skies from Blue Skies Holdings won the fruit juice of the year award, with Storm Energy Drink from Kasapreko Company Limited winning the energy drink of the year award.

Soft drink of the year award went to Coke from Coca-Cola Bottling Company Limited while chocolate/cocoa drink of the year went to Vitamilk while Ready to Drink (RTD) of the year went to Special Ice.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) company and manufacturer of the year went to Coca-Cola Bottling Company while Guinness went home with the overall award as the product of the year.

CEO of Global Media Alliance (GMA), Ernest Boateng congratulated the winners and explained that the initiative was aimed at complementing government’s effort to eat and wear Ghana.