The 14th Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) award has been launched in Accra with a call on businesses to continue embracing high quality standards to be more competitive on the global market.

This year's awards, scheduled for November, aims to recognise and celebrate outstanding achievements, enhance standards, drive business growth, and foster job creation.

The ceremony, which will be held on the theme; "Accessing new markets through improved quality standards to drive business growth and job creation," is also geared towards promoting the government’s 24-hour economy.

Significant platform 

The Chairperson of the awards planning committee, Dr. Nora Bannerman-Abbott stated that the awards have long provided a significant platform to recognise excellence and foster competitiveness in Ghana's industrial sector.

She explained that the awards' theme aligns with the government's 24-hour economy policy, aimed at transforming Ghana into an export-driven economy.

She said this initiative seeks to enhance the quality of goods and services for both regional and international markets by leveraging increased access to transactional finance through institutions like Ghana EXIM Bank and 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.

24hr economy 

A Director at the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry (MoTAI), Cynthia Dzokoto, 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 said the 24-hour economy policy aims to achieve inclusive growth by prioritising export competitiveness and value-added production, moving away from reliance on raw commodity exports.

"These awards reflect not just recognition but a powerful call to action for Ghanaian enterprises to raise their performance to meet global standards.

"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.

Commendation 

A former President of the association, Dr Prince Kofi Kludjeson, commended AGI for its unwavering dedication to recognising industrial excellence.

He urged Ghanaian businesses to prioritise quality assurance, innovation, and adherence to international standards to succeed 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 realise 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.

Dr Kludjeson encouraged industrialists to focus on standards, quality assurance, trust-building, security, and sustainable business goals, stressing their importance in today's highly competitive market.