By Benjamin A. Commey, GNA
Accra, April 25, GNA – The Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG) has launched the 18th Gong Gong Awards to celebrate excellence in creativity, strategy and innovation in marketing communications.
The awards, which serve as a benchmark for professional standards and industry growth, bring together agencies, brands, creatives and media practitioners to showcase outstanding work and promote global competitiveness.
Launching the event in Accra on Friday, Dr Linda Narh, Chairperson of the Gong Gong Awards Board, said the expanded structure of the awards was designed to align with global best practices and the evolving needs of the industry.
“We have 24 awards categories that fall under seven main categories, and for each category we will have gold, silver and bronze, with six attracting platinum awards,” she said.
Dr Narh explained that the categories include integrated campaigns, craft, purpose and impact, media, digital and technology, brand experience and content, as well as people and industry.
She announced the introduction of a new “Young Creatives of the Year” category aimed at nurturing emerging talent from tertiary institutions and the freelance space.
“This is a new award to discover and encourage young creatives, to draw them into mainstream advertising experience and opportunities,” she said, adding that shortlisted participants would take part in a competitive hackathon to solve real industry briefs.
Dr Narh disclosed that the awards entry portal would open on May 4 and close on June 14, 2026, with judging scheduled from June 15 to July 7, 2026.
The awards night will be held on July 25 at the Labadi Beach Hotel, while Advertising Week celebrations will run from July 13 to July 24, 2026.
Mr Andrew Ackah, President of the AAG, said the Gong Gong Awards remained the industry’s flagship platform for celebrating excellence and driving professional standards.
“Last year we recorded about 230 entries, but this year we expect a lot more. We want to see more energy, more participation, and more innovation,” he said.
Mr. Ackah said that the awards formed part of a broader initiative to revitalise industry engagement and foster collaboration among stakeholders.
Delivering the keynote address, Mr Joel E. Nettey, former World President of the International Advertising Association, described the Gong Gong Awards as a critical platform for shaping the future of Ghana’s advertising industry.
“The Gong Gong Awards have always been a celebration of excellence and a moment when our industry pauses to recognise those who push the boundaries of creativity, strategy, and impact,” he said.
Mr Nettey noted that beyond recognition, the awards played a strategic role in positioning Ghanaian creativity on the global stage, adding that it remained one of the most powerful avenues for showcasing authentic African storytelling and elevating industry standards.
He urged participants to aim beyond local recognition and produce work that could compete globally.
Mr Nettey encouraged agencies and creatives to use the awards as motivation not just to win but to elevate standards, push creative boundaries and contribute to making Ghana a globally competitive advertising hub.
He also called for increased investment in talent development, stronger global partnerships, improved industry regulation and urged agencies to embrace artificial intelligence to enhance creativity, improve efficiency and strengthen competitiveness.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
