The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has launched the Ghana Industrial Awards, spanning all sectors of the economy, to provide a platform to help define the highest standards of excellence in business.
The awards, which will be held in November each year, will see companies that have achieved outstanding success in various areas of industry and innovation in the year rewarded.
"This year marks the maiden edition of our Ghana Industrial Awards, and it will be an annual affair. It is scheduled for November 24th each year, and will be the climax of our national industrial week celebration," Nana Owusu-Afari, President of AGI told journalists at the launch on Wednesday in Accra.
Nana Owusu-Afari said many businesses had survived despite the turbulent times and it was just proper to recognize the achievements of those that had distinguished themselves.
"It is a duty and honour for us, as AGI, to give credit to such distinguished companies while motivating other small and medium enterprises to climb up the ladder of excellence," he said.
The companies will be recognized in six awards categories – Overall Best Industrial Company of the Year, Best Corporate Social Responsibility, Environmental Project Company of the Year, and Fastest Growing Company.
The rest are Young Enterprise Company –Innovation and Entrepreneurship; and Best Practices in Sustainable Manufacturing Company.
Twenty other companies would be honoured with AGI Sector Awards in the field of; Agri-Business; Automotive and Transport; Chemicals; Electricals and Electronics; Energy; Food and Beverages; Financial Services; Garments, Textiles and Leather; Hospitality and Tourism; and Information and Communication and Technology.
The rest are: Metals, Building and Construction; Oil and Gas Service; Pharmaceuticals; Printing, Stationary and Packaging; Rubber and Plastic; Toiletries and Cosmetics; Wood Processing; Business Promotion and Consultancy; Timber Miller; and Advertising.
Nana Owusu-Afari said an independent body would be responsible for the review and evaluation of nominations, leading to final selection of winners for the various categories.
Some of the key criteria would be growth, tax responsibility, corporate social responsibility and employment generation.