Nominations for the “Made in Ghana Awards” have opened in Accra. The awards, to be held in August this year, on the theme “Industrialization, the key Strategy to Accelerated Economic Development and Job Creation” will honor 30 most celebrated and outstanding made in Ghana products and services for the production of unique products and the delivery of efficient services.

The Awards, an initiative of Entrepreneur Foundation of Ghana (EFG), is being held under the auspices of the Ministry of Trade and Industry and endorsed by Ghana Standards Authority.

The Made in Ghana Awards 2016 is a shortlisted of celebrated Made in Ghana products and services which have exhibited excellence in manufacturing practices and standards. Products and services nominated will be evaluated on their contribution to quality delivery achievements in creating economic and social values.

Patronage of made in Ghana products and services

Speaking at the launch, the President of the Entrepreneurs Foundation of Ghana (EFG), organizers of the event, Mr Sam Ato Gaisie, said the purpose of the award is to expose Ghanaian indigenous products and services to all citizens in the country in an effort to create awareness and promote made in Ghana products and services and also increases the products credibility on international markets.

He advised Ghanaians to patronise made-in-Ghana goods and services to save the cedi from further depreciation, adding that “if we patronise made-in-Ghana products, importation of products would be reduced and we can create more jobs in Ghana.

The award

Per the voting rules this year, 80 per cent of the votes have been assigned to the public while a panel of experts would possess 20 per cent of the voting rights.

Criteria

The assessment criteria for the awards include the Product Quality, Product labeling, Product Packaging, Product market sustainability and Product certification.

Categories

The categories include: Product of the year; Industrialist of the Year,Business group of the year,Start up, manufacturing Company, Indigenous product, Lifetime product, Mineral & Sachet Water; Food & Beverages; Textile & Garments; and Building Materials.

Others are: Pharmaceuticals/Herbal products, Alcoholic and Non-alcoholic products, Rubber and Plastics products; Toiletries and cosmetics products; Wood and Furniture; Aluminum products, Electrical cable products; Telecommunications; Poultry products; Tissue & Paper Products; and Shoes and Bags.

Others service categories are, Indigenous Financial service of the year, non-financial service, hospitality and Tourism, print media and information technology companies in Ghana.

For more information call 0302 322868, email efghana@yahoo.com and www.efghana.com,