Eighteen companies and six individuals were awarded at the fourth edition of the Manufacturing Awards which was organised by Xodus Communication.

Entrance Pharmaceuticals and Research Centre was adjudged the manufacturing company of the year, with its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Samuel Amo-Tobin, being adjudged the CEO of the year.

Fabrimetal Ghana Limited walked away with two awards which included the emerging brand of the year and the best growing manufacturing company of the year. Gihoc Distilleries also won the hand sanitiser manufacturing company of the year and beverage manufacturing company of the year.

Producers of Bel Aqua, Blowchem industries, also walked away with water producing company of the year, with the Tema Lube Oil Company also walking away with the lube manufacturing company of the year and the excellence in health, safety, environment and quality award.

Jay Kay Industries and Investment won the paper products manufacturing company of the year and the excellence in CSR award, with Nkulenu Industries also winning the manufacturing innovation award.

The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Ahomka Lindsay, was also given a honorary award for his leadership in the manufacturing sector.

The Events Director, Xodus Communications, Mr Richard Abbey Jnr, said the awards sought to recognise companies who were performing both locally and globally

He said the awards looked at compelling competition in the sector and honoured the companies for being excellent.

Need to industrialise

Giving the keynote address, Mr Ahomka Lindsay said the COVID 19 pandemic presented an opportunity for the country to industrialise its economy.

“Our economy is still based too much on exports of raw materials and imports of finished goods. As an economy and a people of 30 million, this is not fit for purpose. We need to realise that our destiny is in our own hands and that the future lies at the heart of manufacturing and industrialisation,” he stated.

He said the government was ready to set the parameters for the manufacturing sector to prosper and flourish.