AGI on Working Visit to BDI - Germany - Page 5

INDUSTRY NEWSGHANA INDUSTRY NEWS

March - April 2016

The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has launched its 5th AGI Ghana Industry Awards in Accra with a call on businesses and industries to

continue to support the local economy despite the challenges. The main awards ceremony is scheduled for October 8 , 2016 on the theme: “Growing Local Industry to Develop Exports and Job Creation.” The awards is meant to enhance standards and showcase Ghanaian businesses on the international market.

Mrs. Nora Bannerman-Abbott, the Chairperson for the Awards and Research Committee, announced the various award categories in addition to 20 sector awards which have been opened for entry by all businesses. They include Overall Best Industrial Company of the Year; Best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Company Award; Best Company Employer of the Year; and Best Practices in Sustainable Manufacturing Company Awards. She indicated that strict procedures and guidelines had been outlined to be adhered to before any business or company could qualify for any of the awards. “The awards committee members are very competent and committed to select the qualified and best companies for the various

The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), in collaboration with the Business Sector Advocacy Challenge Fund (BUSAC), hosted the Flexible

Plastic Waste Management Seminar at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, Accra. The seminar was attended by over 150 participants, representing a cross-section of stakeholder segments, including the Ghana Plastics Manufacturers Association, the Sachet Water Producers Association of Ghana, the Environmental Service Providers Association, plastic waste recycling groups as well as government representatives from the Ministries of Science, Environment and Innovation; Finance; and Local Government and Rural Development. The Environmental Protection Agency was also represented.

The Special Guest of Honour was Hon. Mahama Ayariga, the Minister for Science, Environment and Innovation. Opening the seminar, Mr Ayim-Darke gave an overview of previous engagements with government when plastic waste management came up strongly as a national problem in 2010. He said the AGI has, proffered some solutions which it felt could help resolve the challenge of plastic waste management in the country. The proposals are, however, yet to see further discussions, implementation and evaluation. He also indicated that the environmental tax

5th AGI Ghana Industry Awards Launched

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Immediate Past President of AGI Obtain

Doctorate Degree - Page 4

Daily Graphic Boss Chairs AGI Marketing

and Communications Committee - Page 7

The most dangerous poison is the feeling of achievement. The antidote is to every evening think what can be done better tomorrow.” —Ingvar Kamprad, IKEA founder

AGI - BUSAC Seminar on Plastic Waste

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The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) and Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

to connect together to draw investments from both communities to promote industrial growth to improve living conditions of both countries at the just-ended 11th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave held in New Delhi, India.

The MoU is also targetted at formalising and deepening the level of bilateral cooperation and nexus between the two private sector associations, which will generate a meeting point for members of both associations to share knowledge, ideas, joint ventureships and partnerships. It will also facilitate transfer of technology, human and technical skill development for wealth-creation and reduce unemployment, especially in the Ghanaian industrial sector. The signing ceremony was attended by government officials from both countries, business executives and industry giants from both countries.

Mr. James Asare-Adjei, President of the AGI, confirmed that AGI as the leading private sector advocacy group in the Ghana have been working together with CII on several fronts on creating the enabling platforms for networking. “I recall recently that we had an engagement at Accra at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel where we met several members of CII.” “AGI have great members with solid and records doing credible business and we offer a solid matching for any business anywhere in the world, and we are looking forward for strategic alliances and partnerships with members of CII.”

“We have done this for a while and we think it is very appropriate that today, we formalise the level of

cooperation we have, so business relations between the two Institutions can be deepened.” He added: “The India-Ghana partnership at a private sector level, with the signing of the MoU, will grow the continuous cooperation that has existed between the entities and also work in the interest of the two countries,” he said. He explained that partnering with India's private sector will provide huge leverage for the country to develop its industrial sector and deepen cooperation among the two countries. The AGI, in focusing on industrial growth, will not hesitate to partner India's private sector operations to leverage on its huge industrial sector, he said.

“We want to leverage on Indian technology in order to process our agricultural produce and create value chain linkages, by enhancing our agricultural produce from the farm-gate through manufacturing or processing and then to finished goods - which will provide the country more revenue by way of exports.” He mentioned that India's capabilities in technical and vocational skills education for meeting industrial manpower requirements have been a success story for Ghana to emulate.

“We are looking at technical and vocational skills that industry requires, and India has done it so well by creating the required human resource for industries; so the AGI wants to leverage on this capacity-building ability of India to pass on skills development to the huge mass of teeming youth in Ghana, such that we will be able to meet modern-day industrialization challenges.”

Mr. Rajiv Wahi, Head of International Business Escorts of Agri-Machinery-India who signed on behalf of CII, expressed excitement about the ceremony, adding that it is an important ceremony. The MoU between the two Associations would open up opportunities between the two countries. “We've been hearing of opportunities between the two countries, but sometimes lack of knowledge inhibits business executives from accessing the opportunities. Therefore the MoU-signing between the two entities will provide adequate knowledge about the two countries and facilitate trade and investments between them,” he remarked.

The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has made Mr. Kenneth Ashigbey, Managing Director of Graphic Communications Group, publishers of the mass-circulation Daily Graphic and other newspapers, the Chairman of the Marketing and Communications Committee of the AGI. The Committee was inaugurated in the AGI Conference Room, Accra, by Mr. James Asare-Adjei, the President of the AGI, to provide direction and guidance to the Communications Unit of the AGI to develop marketing and communication strategy for the Association, manage the relationship between the marketing and communications of unit of the AGI and the related internal (members) and external audience, and ultimately to re-brand the AGI and Public Relations.

Mr. Asare-Adjei said the setting up of the Committee is very significant in this dispensation when the AGI has come to a threshold of growth in numbers and advocacy. He said the story of the AGI must be told, and the Committee must be the instrument that would trumpet and propagate the good news of the Association. “I wish to further stress that the vehicle that drives advocacy is the media and with your various experience in the media, we request that you deploy such expertise to propel the Association to a stellar growth. With the power vested in me by the National Executive Council, the Secretarial and the entire members, I declare this committee established,” the AGI President stated.

Mr. Seth Twum-Akwaboah, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the AGI, who opened the forum, welcomed all members to the inaugural meeting and remarked that “A similar committee was set up before as AGI Branding Committee focused on developing and promoting AGI branding materials created and produced the AGI

Newsletter titled 'Ghana Industry News,' including the AGI branded and Neck Tie and Brooch, etc.” Mr. Twum-Akwaboah said to the members: “you are now the brand ambassadors of the Association who must reach out to our audiences with the flag of prosperous business environment and advocate for conducive environment.”

Mr. Ashigbey endorsed and accepted the role as the Chairman of the Committee. He assured that the Committee will work assiduously to ensure that AGI and its brand is registered in the minds of the stakeholders and contribute significantly to the advocacy effort of AGI. The members of the Committee includes Mrs. Nora Bannerman-Abbott, CEO of Sleek Garments Export, Dr. Kobby Mensah, Marketing Consultant and Lecturer at the University of Ghana Business School, Ms. Mansa Amoa-Awuah, MD, Saki Publicity, Ms. Rita Rockson, Communications Director, Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited, Mr. Ato Eshun, CEO, Ark Media and Mr. Cleanse Tsonam Akpeloo, CEO of Techcom Visions.

business should probably be based on an earnings capitalization model, a concept unfamiliar to many smaller family companies. 4. Interfamily disputes. The interest of one family member may not be aligned with another family member. These situations can become even more difficult where there is, for example, a divorce of a family owner or a death and the surviving spouse is holding stock (and voting rights) but is not involved in the business. 5. Estate and Inheritance issues. These include taxes and probate delays upon the death of a family owner.

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2 7Ghana Industry Newsletter Ghana Industry Newsletter

AGI - The Leading Voice of the Private Sector AGI - The Leading Voice of the Private Sector

Daily Graphic Boss Chairs AGIMarketing and Communications Committee

AGI Signs MoU With CII

If there is any one secret of success, it lies in the ability to get the other person’s point of view and see things from that person’s angle as well as from your own.

Jojo Quayson

5 Steps To Create A Viable Succession Plan For Your Family Business

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categories.”

Mr. James Asare-Adjei, the President of the Association of Industries addressed the participants that “the awards are steadily growing to become a reputable brand that recognizes the unique contributions of industry to national development. He said, amazingly, irrespective of the challenges that confronted industries last year, they consistently stood on their grounds and demonstrated a high sense of hard work contributing their quota to the building of the economy. It is for this reason that AGI sees the need to recognise and to reward industry players for their immense contribution towards nation building. It is in a bid to celebrate the efforts of industry that we are gathered here today for the launch of the 5th AGI Ghana Industry Awards.”

Mr. Asare-Adjei further noted that “this year's theme for the awards focuses on a crucial element of industrial growth which naturally opens doors for export and job creation. We must not lose sight of the fact that the world has become increasingly competitive and for our local industries to remain in business and be able to compete requires that the fundamentals for ensuring a robust industrial landscape is available, to wit, appropriate policies that favor the development of industry.” Policies have been put in place towards export development in Ghana, but sadly much of the planned activities are yet to find expression into implementation. There is no reason why such policies

should be developed and left on the drawing board. Whilst we wait, other countries are making at entering available export markets and crowding out Ghanaian products.”

Continued from Page 1 He noted: “To enable more jobs to be created, industries must have the capacity to expand. As a result of the many challenges inherent in the Ghanaian economy, many private companies are not hiring as much as they should. This is because companies are faced with higher operational costs and therefore are restrictive on employment. On the other hand, the public sector is also not hiring or creating jobs other than opportunities resulting in unemployment

challenges. Adequate and appropriate jobs provide security and stability for a country and have to be taken seriously by both Government and Private Sector.”

Mr. Asare-Adjei said “It is my belief that when government, with support from the private sector, find innovative ways for developing the industrial sector, jobs would be created and export of Ghanaian products would become one of the revenue stream to boost the national GDP.” He continued: “I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate the previous winners of these prestigious awards. And this shows your resilience to develop local industry irrespective of the odds. I believe that the awards serve as a huge motivation for industry players to work harder in developing industry, a legacy for the future. To all past winners, I say “Ayekoo.”

Hon. Rashid Pelpuo, the Minister for Private Sector Development and Public-Private Partnership, stated that the government would play an active role in this year's awards ceremony. He indicated that the occasion was in line with the government's priorities of encouraging private businesses to grow and expand beyond the frontiers of the nation. “It is for this reason that we see the various ceremonies that you have held over the years as welcoming. We will therefore support it every step of the way to encourage private businesses to grow and expand.”

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AGI - The Leading Voice of the Private Sector

5th AGI Ghana Industry Awards Launched imposed on plastics is supposed to be used to manage the

plastic waste, but currently we do not have records of how much it has accrued. As a major stakeholder, the AGI expects to be actively involved in the series of discussions and activities on the matter with the Ministry of Finance.

Businesses, he said, should not be seen as being only interested in making money, but the environmental challenges associated with plastics should be of great concern to the stakeholders as much as they are to government. After all, he added, an undesirable environment has an impact on businesses and the recent flood in Accra in June 3, 2015 which ravaged industries in the South Industrial Area were is a clear testimony; “so we are naturally committed to helping find a lasting solution to this menace,” he added.

Hon. Ayariga, who gave the keynote address, indicated that no one should downplay the important role plastics play in the lives of Ghanaians, but said it was important that waste from same must be managed well. He said plastic waste should not be completely viewed as menace in the country, but industrialists should innovate business propositions to help add value and make wealth out of the waste. He, however, reminded participants that the directives issued by the Ministry were still in force, adding that the Ministry was struggling to put in place enforcement mechanisms. The Ministry has done a few random visits to factories where officials have produced substances that look like oxo-biodegrable additives, but some of them do not use the additives. He wondered why the plastic manufacturers would produce the oxo-biodegrable plastics for countries like Togo and Ivory Coast, and not Ghana. The Ministry, he said, was in talks with experts to acquire the device for the detection of the oxo-biodegrable additives in plastics manufactured in the country. Companies that have developed the device have submitted some proposals and the Ministry was considering them.

While there have been successes in the collection of sachet water bags, plastic waste collectors avoid the black polythene bags because they often contain human excreta. Children, he said, would pick everything else on the National Sanitation Day, except the black polythene bags. The Ministries of Local Government and Rural Development; and Works and Housing and the Ministry, as well as all concerned, must work together to enforce the

the regulations that require that every house must have a toilet facility. Unless a better scientific solution is found, the directive on the use of oxo-biodegrable additives remains in force, he said, urging industry to comply accordingly. He said if there were concerns by industry, then it should not hesitate to come back to him, just as they came back to him regarding the micron levels. The initial proposal by the committee that met in 2009 was 60 microns. Industry came to the Minister and made a strong case for a reduction to 20 microns, and he agreed, he said.

Dealing with plastic waste should not be limited to just one measure; others like waste separation and public education must all be employed. He thanked the AGI for being interested in the matter and seeking to mobilize industry to contribute their quota to resolving it.

Key issues include:

1. Generational transition. Only a third of all family businesses successfully make the transition to the second generation.

2. Alignment of family interests. Alignment of interests between current owners and others becomes more pronounced as members retire and turn over the reins to the new generation, while at the same time looking to the company for their retirement income.

3. Balancing of financial returns. Creating buyout agreements is challenging. When the retiring generation looks to the value of their interest, they sometimes tend to look to a balance sheet number. In fact, the true value of a

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5 Steps To Create A Viable Succession Plan For Your Family Business

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Immediate Past President of AGI Obtain Doctorate Degree

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AGI - The Leading Voice of the Private Sector AGI - The Leading Voice of the Private Sector

The Chairman of the Tema Branch of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Rev. Dr. George Dawson-Ahmoah, has called for the first

meeting for the year at the Tema Majorie Y Hotel. The meeting, which was attended by over fifty members of AGI, discussed issues relating to water supply, the state of roads in Tema, property rates, high tariffs, multiplicity of taxes and the work-plan for 2016, among other matters.

The meeting, which was opened by Mr. Seth Twum Akwaboah, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AGI, told the members that the AGI National Secretariat was working very hard to address the policy challenges that the Tema Branch was facing, especially the burdensome taxes slapped on businesses. Mr. Akwaboah indicated that a consultant has been engaged to study the 11 taxes that have been introduced by the government and come out with a policy paper to enable AGI to redress them properly. The CEO also added that AGI had successfully lobbied Government to raise the Tax Refund from 2% to 4%, while further asking for 6%. Tax credits were also being explored.

Rev. Dr. Dawson-Ahmoah announced his commitment to ensure that the plea and request of the members were taken to the right quarters to seek redress and announced that meeting had already been scheduled with the Minister for Finance to discuss economic and policy issues.

Members of the Tema Branch of the AGI raised serious concerns about the poor state of the roads in the port city, even though huge taxes have been generated from the industrial hub by the government but the roads have not been rehabilitated. The members expressed their dissatisfaction of the huge increment of the utilities tariffs which has an inimical effect on businesses since most companies use water as their raw material and electricity. The companies are forced to downsize or shut down.

Divine Flavours Training Center, in collaboration with the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) Volta / Eastern Region, organised an exhibition

to showcase varieties of cakes and biscuits at the GNAT Hall in Ho, Volta Region, on 26th March, 2016.

The exhibitors displayed creativity, skills, style and innovation in interior and exterior decorations as well as assembled varieties of fabrics in different colour combination. It was a great exposition to unveil passion, zeal and master craftsmanship in the food and beverages sector. It was a world of exquisite sugar designs, using icing or frosting and other edible decorative elements to design symbolic concepts depicting Ghana's Royal Kente, Ghana Flag, jumbo ship, flying ties, football court, shoes, suitcases, tea kettle and many other astonishing items.

Ingredients used include wheat flour, cassava, potato, soya bean, rice (white and brown) and maize flour – it was quite amazing recipe. The CSIR - Food Research Institute endorsed the event due to the value addition concept it has portrayed. The founder of the Divine Flavours Training Center, Mr. Sylvester Amagayibor, expressed his vision thus, “the Training Center, is established to develop and enhance the trainees to become self reliance, socio economically strong and sustainable.'' This program brought people from all nooks and crannies of the Volta Region, including the Mayor and MP for Ho Central, Captain George Nfojoh (Rtd).

The Immediate Past President of AGI, Nana Dr. Owusu-Afari, has been awarded a Doctor of Business Administration Degree by the Atlantic International University, Hawaii, USA. His Doctoral Thesis was on the t o p i c “ M I G R AT I O N O F N O N - F O R M A L BUSINESSES TO THE FORMAL SECTOR—THE CASES OF GHANAIN SME NON-FORMAL OPERATORS.”

The graduation ceremony, which was held in Miami, Florida, USA, on February 25, 2016 was attended by 145 other candidates from 56 countries who also graduated in the Bachelor, Masters and Doctoral divisions. Nana Owusu-Afari holds a B.Sc (Hons.) (Economics) from the University of Ghana. He holds a Diploma in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors of the UK, and he is also a Fellow of the Institute. Nana has over 30 years of business experience. He is currently Chairman of the Afariwaa Group of Companies which has interests in Real Es t a t e s Deve lopmen t , Fa r m ing , Ve t e r i n a r y Pharmaceuticals and Industrial Chemicals, Banking and Hotels.

Nana Dr. Owusu-Afari has served as Advisor/Board Member in many government institutions, including the National Development Planning Commission, (NDPC) representing the Volta Region; Millennium Development Authority (MiDA), representing the private sector; Commissioner for CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research), and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Advisory Board Member. Nana Owusu-Afari has also served as a member of the Private Sector Development Board of the Ministry of Trade and Industry. At the University of Ghana, Nana has served as Chairman of the Leventis Foundation of the Agricultural Research Station; Nungua, Trustee Member of ISSER Endowment Fund, Board Member of the College of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences. Nana is current Chairman of CCLEAr (Creating Competitive Livestock Entrepreneurs in Agribusiness) of ARI - Animal Research Institute of CSIR.)

Nana Dr. Owusu-Afari currently serves on the Advisory Boards of the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs. He became a Council Member of AGI in 2004 when he was elected Chairman of the Tema Branch of AGI. He set up the Tema AGI Secretariat. In 2006, he was elected Vice President of AGI till 2009. In 2010,

Dr.

he was elected President of the Association, a position he held for four years. Nana Owusu-Afari is the Nkosuohene of the Worawora Traditional Area in the Volta Region.

The National Council of AGI, Management and Staff say “AYEKOO” to Nana Dr. Owusu-Afari.

Nana Dr. Owusu-Afari

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Sugar Craft Exhibition in Volta Region, Ho Tema Organises General Meeting

Former Mayor and MP of Ho Central, Rtd. Capt. George Nfojoh appreciating splendor of art

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”

Peter Drucker

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