Minister commends Papaye

The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Mr Mark Okraku Mantey has commended fast food company, Papaye Group Ghana for retaining all its staff despite the outbreak of COVID-19, which had impacted the hospitality industry and forced many businesses to lay off workers.

Mr Mantey also applauded the company for keeping up the standard in their service delivery, urging other hospitality companies to emulate them

Speaking at an awards ceremony for Papaye staff, the Minister also called on the hospitality industry businesses to be innovative in their service delivery in the era of COVID-19 to bring the industry back on its feet.

Awards

A total of 156 staff of Papaye were awarded for meritorious service to the company over the years.

While some were honoured for their long service, others were honoured for their good conduct and dedicated service to the company.

Of the number, 85 were awarded for long service, 36 for special recognition, while 35 received awards in the competitive category.

The long service awards recipients included workers who had been with the Papaye Group from five years to 25 years.

The awardees took home cash prizes, certificates, citations and home appliances.

The awards ceremony, which took place at the Papaye Recreational Village at Konkonuru, near Aburi in the Eastern Region, was also graced by the acting President of the Akwapim Traditional Area and Chief of Aburi, Otoobour Djan Kwasi ll; the Executive Secretary of the National Labour Commission, Mr Ofosu Asamoah; the Deputy Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority, and Mr Gabriel Adu.

Also present were the Chief Executive of the Akwapim South Municipal Assembly, Mr Frank Aidoo; the Nkosuohene of Pakro in the Akuapem South District, Nana Kwaku Dei I, known in private life as Mr Ransford Tetteh, a former Editor of the Daily Graphic.

Encouragement

The Executive Chairman of Papaye, Dr Samir Kalmoni, said the company found it imperative to honour its staff because it owed its success to their hard work, commitment and loyalty.

He said due to the diligence and professionalism of the staff, the company had won several awards, including the Best Fast Food Restaurant of the Year, Best Tourism Tax Contributor, among others.

Dr Kalmoni congratulated the award winners and expressed the hope that their achievements would serve as an inspiration to other staff in the discharge of their duties.

The Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Divine Asiedu, explained that the awards scheme was instituted to recognise the contribution of staff to the progress of the company.

He indicated that the ceremony was also part of the company’s effort to encourage good behaviour, motivate the staff and inculcate competitive spirit.

“Today we are here not just to celebrate the achievement of our staff in terms of how long they have worked with the company but also to give due regard to our corporate values and morals which these awardees exemplify; like discipline, dedication, quality service, team play, commitment and loyalty,” Mr Asiedu said.