Accra, July 3, GNA-The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has launched the 14th edition of its prestigious Industry and Quality Awards in Accra with a call on industry to embrace high quality standards to be competitive on the international market.
The launch on the theme: “Accessing New Markets through Improved Quality Standards to Drive Business Growth and Job Creation,” brought together top industry players, policymakers, and development partners to underscore the critical role of quality in industrial transformation.
Dr. Nora Bannerman-Abbott, Chairperson of the Awards, Planning Committee, said the awards had over the years offered a powerful platform to celebrate excellence and promote competitiveness in the industrial sector.
She said the theme for the awards aligned with government’s 24-hour economy policy, which is explicitly designed to transition Ghana toward an export-driven economy.
The aim is to increase the quality of goods and services for both regional and international markets, leveraging expanded access to transactional finance through institutions like the Ghana Exim and the Development Bank Ghana.
She said for Ghanaian businesses to compete and thrive in today’s interconnected markets, quality must be the culture, the way of thinking, and an integral part of the production processes.
“These have real implications for the survival of our businesses, including the creation of meaningful jobs, and for Ghana’s place in the global trade ecosystem,”Dr Bannerman-Abbot added.
She said the need to explore new markets was even more crucial amid the more tariff barriers to trade.
Dr Abbot expressed gratitude to all sponsors who had constantly supported the awards event.
In a speech read on behalf of the Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry by Madam Cynthia Dzokoto, Director for SMEs at the Ministry, the Minister said the focus on quality and standards fitted with government’s over-reaching goal of transforming Ghana’s production and trade landscape, particularly through flashy, intangible initiatives like the 24-hour economy and exports as a relation.
She saif the Government’s 24-hour economy is intended to achieve inclusive growth by focusing on export competitiveness and value-added production rather than raw commodity dependence.
“These awards reflect not just recognition but a powerful call to action for Ghanaian enterprises to raise their performance to meet global standards,” she added.
“As we move to augment industrialization and expand our exports capacity, quality standards are our passport to new markets. In an era of open borders under the African continental free trade area, Ghanaian products must not only exist, they must excel,” she added.
In a speech delivered on behalf of the AGI President, Dr. Humphrey Ayim-Darke, past AGI President Dr. Prince Kofi Kludjeson lauded AGI for its relentless commitment to recognizing industrial excellence.
He urged Ghanaian businesses to put a premium on quality assurance, innovation, and adherence to international standards in order to thrive in the global market.
He said with quality standards, Ghana would not only improve its trade balance, but also carry the same momentum for global economic cooperation.
“We fully realize the potential of Africa and the entrance of that movement. This requires a commitment to implement policies that promote value chains in the global economy,” he said.
He encouraged all industrialists to prioritize standards, quality assurance, build trust, strengthen security, and pursue sustainability business goals, adding they are key in the highly competitive market.
There was a special recognition of 11 companies which had continuously supported the awards event.
The awards categories include the major awards, the sector awards, inclusive business category, regional awards, and a few honorary awards.
GNA
Christian Akorlie