Ghana Entrepreneur Awards (GEA) has been scheduled for April 15, 2011 in Accra to commemorate World Entrepreneurship Day.
World Entrepreneurship Day (WED) is a 24-hour world-wide celebration of entrepreneurship and innovation.
These are contained in a statement signed by Sam Ato Gaisie, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Entrepreneurs Foundation of Ghana, and issued in Accra on Tuesday.
It said GEA is being organised by Entrepreneurs Foundation of Ghana (EFG) in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and media partners, Segass Media, Joy 99.7 Fm, Daily Graphic, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation and Entrepreneur News Magazine.
The statement said the exclusive awards are aimed at recognising the significance of Ghanaian entrepreneurs in Small, Medium and Large Enterprises (SMLEs) in sustaining economic growth, increasing trade, generating employment and creating new entrepreneurs in Ghana.
It said the award was open to any entrepreneur nationwide, who is responsible for the company's day to day performance, and must be the key person responsible for the success and growth of a Ghanaian-based company.
The statement said a nationwide entrepreneur awareness campaign backed by a huge promotional plan would be launched to garner nomination and award entrepreneurs from across the country
It said the awards ceremony is under the theme" Recognising the exceptional contribution of Ghanaian entrepreneurs".
The statement said the objectives of the awards are; to identify, recognise and honour Ghanaian entrepreneurs, who have exhibited superior performance that has helped them to emerge out of poverty, create jobs and add value to society.
It also seeks to support the development of new enterprises and the creation of role models, who could inspire and mentor future generations of entrepreneurs, and create nationwide awareness and promote more small and medium scale enterprises.
It would also inspire, educate and prepare the youth and unemployed to consider entrepreneurship as an alternative, and encourage new business start-up.
According to the statement, 18 prestigious awards will be given as follows:
* Overall Best Entrepreneur of the year 2010
* Lifetime Entrepreneur Achievement Award
* Outstanding Entrepreneur Achievement Award
* Best Young Entrepreneur Award
* Best Woman Entrepreneur Award
* Best Entrepreneur Manufacturing Industry ,Large, Small and Medium Enterprises Award

* Best Entrepreneur Export Excellence
* Best Entrepreneur Financial services & Insurance
* Best Entrepreneur Health & Pharmaceuticals (Manufacturing & Distribution)
* Best Entrepreneur Media broadcasting Radio & Televising
* Best Entrepreneur Advertising & Print media
* Best Entrepreneur Food & Beverages
* Best Entrepreneur Transport, Logistics & Automobile
* Best Entrepreneur Hospitality & Tourism
* Best Entrepreneur Electricals & Electronics
* Best Entrepreneur Real Estate and Construction
* Best Entrepreneur Information Technology & Telecommunication
* Best Entrepreneur Education
The criteria for the awards are an entrepreneur, who has demonstrated vision, excellence, innovation, leadership, integrity, can-do spirit and overall growth in different sectors of the economy.
Under this entrepreneur's leadership, his/her firm has consistently grown in annual sales and performance, increased the number of employees, exhibited a reputation for integrity and proven involvement in Ghana's business and economic growth.
The award recipient must exhibit entrepreneurial spirit and must be originated from small medium businesses.
His/her achievements must be impressive enough to inspire the aspirations of thousands of SME entrepreneurs who are looking for a role model to emulate, especially as a CEO or Managing Director of a listed company.
The judging criteria includes an assessment of entrepreneurial spirit, leadership, innovation, personal integrity, number of employees as well as financial performance of the company, strategic direction, and company growth
The judging panel is made up of recognised personalities from a diverse field of industry sectors and disciplines.
A selection committee, approved by the Board, will be responsible for the selection of the winners for these awards.
The committee will consist of seven persons, two from within the board and five from within the public.