Two of the country's most illustrious personalities, renowned for their unparalleled humanitarian deeds, have been honoured at the Second Ghana Business Quality Awards organised by the Entrepreneurs Foundation of Ghana (EFG).

President and Chairman of Special Investments Ltd, Dr Ernest Ofori Sarpong, and his business partner cum "brother", the Chief Executive Officer of the Despite Group of Companies, Dr Osei Kwame, were bestowed with the "Best Ashanti Region Business Icons" Award 2017, last Saturday, October 20th.

The citation for the award reads that it is conferred on "an outstanding Ghanaian entrepreneur and astute businessman, who is a proud native of the Ashanti Region. A business executive; well-known across the globe for his exceptional contribution to the creation of jobs and his quota to the development of the Ghanaian economy."

Organized under the auspices of the Ministries of Trade and Industry and Business Development, with endorsement from the Ghana Standards Authority, it provides the platform to recognize individuals and companies that play a significant role in the growth and development of the business sector while recognising the need to dialogue on growth and sustainability among stakeholders.

The theme for the occasion was: “Building Ghana Beyond Aid: The Role of the Private Sector in Economic Growth and Job Creation”.

In his keynote address, the Deputy Minister for Trade & Industry, Robert Ahomka Lindsay, who represented the President of the Republic, Nana Akufo-Addo, as the Special Guest of Honour, emphasized the need for quality leadership and quality products and business services as the country strives to make the Ghana Beyond Aid initiative a reality.

“The country cannot achieve the Ghana beyond Aid initiative without emphasising on quality of leadership from the public and the private sector, manufacturing of premium quality products, importation of quality products and quality delivery of services in Ghana,” he said.

In all, a total of 35 business entities and individuals were honoured for their positive contributions to the promotion of quality socio-economic and business development in Ghana.

The overall Best Quality Business Group of the Year went to Groupe Nduom (GN).

While the overall Best Business Icon for the Year 2017 was awarded to the Chairman of Interplast Ltd., Mr Saied Assad Fakhry.