“We have begun talks with some chiefs in the country, specifically the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to provide lands for the one-district, one-factory initiative,” the President of the chamber, Nana Appiagyei Dankawoso I, said in an interview with the Graphic Business in Accra.

That, he said, was part of efforts by the chamber to support the government’s industrialisation agenda to create jobs for the youth in the country.

Over 71,000 students graduate every year onto the job market from both private and public tertiary institutions. A conservative estimate shows that there are over 200,000 unemployed graduates in Ghana.

Given the inability of the public sector to absorb the large numbers, the government is embarking on a massive private-public partnership initiative.

Awards scheme

Nana Dankawaso was speaking at the launch of an awards scheme to reward excellence and innovation among private sector players.

The scheme, which will be an annual event, will be organised by the GNCCI.

Held on the theme “Enterprises in Transition: Recognising Innovative Businesses in Ghana”, the event is expected to create a platform on which key businesses and personalities will be celebrated in the country.

Christened “The Chamber Business Awards 2016,” the maiden edition of the awards scheme is scheduled to take place on November 25, this year at the Banquet Hall in Accra.

At the launch on Tuesday, June 13 in Accra, Nana Dankawoso I said the awards scheme was organised as part of efforts to celebrate Ghanaian businesses that had demonstrated excellence in leadership and innovation in contributing to the socio-economic development of Ghana.

“The chamber has over the years made significant contributions to the socio-economic development of Ghana through its targeted business support services and philanthropic activities,” he said.

According to him, though there were key challenges confronting the private sector, the government had taken bold steps to ensure that private sector drove the growth agenda in the country.

“While we allow the government to execute its policies and programmes, it is instructive for us as private sector operators to find innovative ways to remain competitive,” he added.

Government’s commitment

The Chief Director at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI), Mr Dawarnoba Baeka, expressed the commitment of the government to ensure that the private sector leads the country’s growth agenda.

In that regard, he said the MoTI, with its agencies and other ministries were working hand in hand to create a conducive environment for businesses to thrive.

He observed that partnering with key stakeholders such as the GNCCI to realise the government’s shared vision for the private sector was critical for national development.

“As a strategic partner of the government, the chamber has made significant contributions to the socio-economic development of Ghana since the colonial era by promoting and protecting commercial and industrial interests of the country,” he added.

Eligibility criteria

Touching on the eligibility criteria, a committee member of the awards scheme, Mr Kwabena Agyekum, said the awards was opened to registered businesses in the country.

He stated that nominations of the awards scheme which opens on June 13, 2017 ends at midnight of July 17, this year.

He added that businesses could also nominate themselves or other entities to be part of the awards.

He emphasised that the criteria for selection in the awards scheme would focus on organisations’ annual turnover, profit and tax compliance, innovation and technology, customer service scheme and corporate social responsibility.

“It will also focus on thought-leadership engagements, environmental management and corporate reputation management,” he added.

To ensure credibility, Mr Agyekum said, the chamber had engaged the service of a reputable accounting firm to adjudicate the nomination and selection of the award winners.