Council of State Chairman lauds govt 2019 Budget
Maclean Kwofi Business News
The Chairman of the Council of State, Nana Otuo Siriboe II, has lauded the government’s commitment to consolidate gains made over the last two years with prudent policies and programmes that will enable the private sector to thrive and help create jobs in the country.
He explained that the 2019 Budget and Economic Statement presented to Parliament on November 15 could attest to the zeal to ensure prudent management of the economy.
“This will inspire business confidence and also lead to positive impacts on private sector growth and the general economy,” Nana Otuo Siriboe, who is also the Omanhene of the Asante Juaben Traditional Area, said at the Chamber Business Awards 2017 on November 17, 2018 in Accra.
The second edition of the awards was organised by the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) and was aimed at celebrating Ghanaian businesses that have demonstrated excellence in leadership and innovation.
It was also to reward those who have contributed to the socio-economic development of the country.
It was on the theme: “Empowering the Private Sector to Move Ghana Beyond Aid.”
Ghana Beyond Aid
Nana Otuo Siriboe described the theme as appropriate because it sought to mobilise the needed private sector support to achieve the vision of a Ghana Beyond Aid.
“With all the natural resources that God has endowed Ghana with such as gold, bauxite, diamonds, oil, timber, cocoa, water and fertile land, you will wonder why after 61 years of independence we cannot extricate ourselves from foreign aid,” he said.
To reverse the trend, he said there was the need for a paradigm shift in the way the country planned and executed its development agenda.
“To reverse this trend of Ghana’s over-reliance on foreign aid and to transform the Ghanaian economy and create prosperity for all on a sustainable basis requires a paradigm shift in the way we plan and execute our development agenda.
“It is for this reason and the love for the country that the President came up with the transformational vision of Ghana Beyond Aid,” the Omanhene said.
He added that the vision was the most significant developmental agenda in this generation.
According to him, its impact on the Ghanaian economy and the life of the citizens would be profound and enduring.
The role of the private sector
A Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Robert Ahomka-Lindsay, said the Ghana Beyond Aid agenda focused on the importance of the role the private sector played in the development of the country.
“So if the engine of growth is the private sector, then it is important that those organisations that represent the engine of growth are the best in terms of class and can play the central and pivotal role in the transformation of the economy.
“Ensuring that an organisation is in the best class means that organisation is well celebrated,” Mr Ahomka-Lindsay added.
The President of the GNCCI, Nana Dr Appiagyei Dankawoso I, stated that the chamber’s awards scheme was part of efforts to help promote ethical business practices in line with key industry standards which serve as a criteria for selecting the award winners.
“The criteria consists of thought leadership engagement, innovation and technology, employment creation, sustainable environmental management, corporate social responsibility, customer relationship management, and financial performance and tax compliance,” he added.
Awardees at the night
Some of the companies that were awarded were McDan Shipping Company Limited, Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Ghana Limited, Strategic Communications Africa Limited, Niche Cocoa Industry Ltd and Boris B’s Farm & Veterinary Supplies.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of McDan Shipping Company Limited, Mr Daniel Mckorley, won the prestigious Chamber Business Man of the Year while Janet Abobigu of Uni-Jay Limited took home the Chamber Business Woman of the Year.
Ruth Maria-Assandoh of Akila was also adjudged the Young Entrepreneur of the Year.