With Ghana celebrating the Year of Return, this year’s GBA, on the theme ‘Inspiring Excellence in Ghana’s Beverage Industry,’ will promote especially local beverages and the participation of small-scale beverage enterprises in the awards scheme.

The launch, which came off in Accra, saw the introduction of a new category: Beverage Advert of the Year and a Beverage Forum ahead of the awards night.

According to a release issued in Accra last Friday by the organisers of the awards, “The addition of the new category is to acknowledge feedback from stakeholders, particularly consumers.

The Beverage ad of the Year Award goes to the brand in the year under review which is enjoying massive public appeal with its creative publicity”.

It said the event would also assemble industry stakeholders on current happenings, the future of the Ghanaian beverage industry and progress paths.

More companies to join

After the launch of the 2019 Awards in Accra, the Chief Executive Officer of GMA, Mr Ernest Boateng, said: “The GBA keeps getting better year after year.

The event has grown in size and quality.

We have been able to bring on board more beverage companies and attracted more government support.

An evidence of our growth is the public response we got during the online nomination process.

We also saw how much celebrities such as Shatta Wale, brand ambassador for Storm Energy drink, responded to the awards.

It was not just a level-playing-ground for all brands but brought out the fun aspect as well.”

Mr Boateng further noted in the release that “So far, I believe the best addition to the awards has been to open it up to the public since these beverages end up on their tables.

To strengthen our standards, our panel of judges will embark on plant tours to ascertain quality procedures in our beverage companies.”

Year of Return

He said the Year of Return was a perfect opportunity for Ghana Beverage Awards to further thrive.

“Our family and friends will join us this Christmas for the Year of Return.

Whatever we do, let’s share the good stock of our beverage options with them and go ahead to nominate our favourite brands on www.ghanabeverageawards.com.”

Last year in retrospect

Last year, Storm Energy Drink from Kasapreko Company Limited (KCL) bagged the ultimate award Product of the Year, with the same company emerging Manufacturer of the Year. Other companies rewarded on the night included Bel-Aqua, Twellium Industries, Guinness Ghana Ltd, among others.