Businesses, doing exceptionally well in the Western Region of Ghana have been commended at this year’s Paa Grant Medals for Business Excellence.
The Paa Grant Medals for Business Excellence, also known as the Western Region Business Awards, is a brainchild of the Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Takoradi Constituency.
The ceremony provides a platform for bringing all key stakeholders in the Western region’s business sector under one umbrella to dialogue and explore opportunities for growth in the region.
The award seeks to honour individual entrepreneurs as well as corporate bodies that have made positive business impacts within the year under review.
The scheme started in 2019 and this fifth edition was hosted at the Akroma Plaza Hotel in Takoradi, on 4th August 2024, under the theme, “The potential of trade and industries for sustainable development”.
In his welcome address, Western Regional Minister Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah emphasized the crucial role of trade and industry in driving sustainable development within the region.
The minister reflected on the theme of the event, “Potential of trade and industries for sustainable development”, stressing that industries are the backbone of any economy, providing essential employment opportunities, generating revenue, and fostering innovation.
He acknowledged the challenges posed by climate change, social inequalities, and environmental concerns but expressed optimism about the region’s potential.
“The Western Region possesses tremendous resources, including gold, oil and gas, timber, and bauxite,” he noted.
“When harnessed effectively, these resources can lead to significant industrial development.”
He also highlighted the region’s agricultural potential, citing its rich soil and favourable climate as key factors for large-scale agriculture, which can enhance food security and create lasting jobs.
Tourism, with its scenic beauty, cultural heritage, and eco-tourism opportunities, was also identified as a promising sector for sustainable business growth.
The minister urged local businesses to strengthen their capabilities and professionalism to meet global market demands and to support emerging startups and small companies.
He called for increased collaboration between governments, businesses, civil society, and individuals to create an enabling environment for sustainable trade and industrialization.
He also assured the audience of the government’s commitment to supporting local businesses through various policies, including the new Small and Medium Enterprise Growth and Opportunities Fund, which will now be decentralized to regional administrations.
He encouraged business associations and individual entrepreneurs to engage with regional administrations to benefit from these new opportunities.
He concluded by urging entrepreneurs to strive for excellence and invited potential investors to consider the Western Region, promising the best of resources and opportunities.
Some awardees who also spoke to MX24 TV expressed their excitement over the recognition and also shared the success stories of their thriving businesses.
Chief Executive Officer of Duapa Workspace, Erasmus Mensah Ackon, who is part of the awardees urged people to leverage their inability to get employed to create their own businesses, emphasising that it would help reduce the rate of unemployment in the country.
