Ghana’s Minister for Tourism Arts and Culture, Catherine Afeku has challenged small to medium scale enterprises to enhance the packaging of their products to compete globally.
She made the call at the launch of the 3rd edition of the Ghana Beverage Awards (GBA) on February 1, 2019 at the Alisa Hotel where she reckoned if local businesses found creative ways of bottling local beverages like Palm wine, ‘Asana’, ‘Pito’ and ‘Akpeteshi’, it could boost to tourism while landing Ghanaian beverages in foreign hotels, restaurants and at international fairs.
The Ghana Beverage Awards is an initiative of Integrated International Communications Company of over 20 years; Global Media Alliance which seeks to shine light on producers of beverages like bottled water, carbonated soft drinks, energy drinks, fruit beverages, ready-to-drink coffee and tea, sports beverages and value-added water.
In his address, the Chief Executive Officer of Global Media Alliance (GMA); Mr. Ernest Boateng, expressed delight with the progress of the awards scheme first birthed in April 2016.
Mr. Boateng also rendered: “We recognise that beverage producers are a major stakeholder, if not the most important stakeholder in the beverage industry. Therefore, this year we are opening up the Product of the Year category to the public to nominate their favourite beverage. Through the nomination process we intend making the ordinary Ghanaian own the awards and remain informed about the process.”
He disclosed four new categories (International Wine of the Year, International Beer of the Year, International Spirit of the Year and New Beverage of the Year); have been included in this year’s awards set to be staged on March 22nd 2019 with venue to be announced later.
The GMA CEO who leads the team in Public Relations & Media Consultancy, Events Management, Creative Services & Brands assured of a fair and transparent process in leading to the emergence of credible winners noting the awards also fit in the sector Minister’s Drink Ghana initiative.
This year’s theme is: ‘Drink Ghana, Inspiring Excellence in Ghana’s Beverage Industry’ and has among other aims to recognize and celebrate excellence in the beverage industry, create a platform for industry players to interact and network with their consumers and create a platform for marketing and sale of beverages in Ghana.
Last year Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited bagged the ultimate award with Guinness Foreign Extra Stout adjudged Product of the Year and Beer of the Year respectively.
Partners of the GBA include the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Food Research Institute (FRI) under Centre for Scientific and industrial Research (CSIR), Food and Beverages Association and Consumer Protection Agency.
Also in session for the 2018 GBA launch was GUBA Awards founder; Akosua Dentaa Amoateng, Ghana Tourism Authority CEO; Mr. Akwasi Agyemang, Ebo Eyison, Nana Prempeh, Samuel Aggrey, Fafa Gbeho and representatives of the Food and Beverage Association of Ghana.
The following are the award categories:
Spirit of the Year, Beer of the Year, Bitters of the Year, Water of the Year, Ciders/RTD of the Year, Fruit Juice of the Year, CSD of the Year, Cocoa/Chocolate/Diary Drink of the Year, Sports/ Energy Drink of the Year, Socially Responsible Company of the Year, Manufacturer of the Year and Product of the Year.
By Michael Eli Dokosi/goldstreetbusiness.com
