News
8 enterprises recognised at 2025 Ghana National Kaizen Awards
The 2025 Ghana National Kaizen Awards (GNKA) was on Tuesday held in Accra.
It was organised by the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) and the Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA).
On the same platform, the UNIDO Smart Performance Analytics for Real-time Kaizen (U-SPARK) Project, developed with support from the Government of Japan, was launched.
Already piloted in five firms, U-SPARK was designed to help Ghanaian businesses diagnose operational challenges, optimise processes, reduce waste, and build resilient value chains.
Addressing guests at the event, the Deputy Chief of Staff (Administration), Ms Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, said Ghana had taken bold steps to become Africa’s hub of productivity and innovation, with government rolling out reforms and investments anchored in the philosophy of Kaizen’s continuous improvement.
She added that government was determined to ease the financial burden on businesses, citing the GH¢500m Development Bank Ghana facility made available to SMEs in agriculture and value chain strengthening after the Kwahu Business Forum.
Ms Bampoe Addo also announced that government had secured a $100 million investment from partners in Japan and Singapore to establish Africa’s first AI-powered agricultural hub.
According to her, this initiative, together with the “Made-in-Ghana Agenda” and “Export Ghana Policy,” would boost local industries and leverage opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, the Director of SME Development, Mrs Cynthia Djokoto, noted that Kaizen had evolved from a methodology into a culture of discipline, efficiency, and competitiveness within Ghanaian enterprises.
The Chief Executive Officer of GEA, Ms Margaret Ansei, linked Kaizen directly to President Mahama’s 24-hour economy vision, stressing that continuous improvement was critical for businesses to thrive in a productivity-driven future.
She recalled the country’s achievements at the continental level, where enterprises such as Francis Aluminium, Tiwajo Enterprise, and Solution Oasis had been recognised at the Africa Kaizen Awards.
The Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Hiroshi Yoshimoto, praised Ghana’s leadership in Kaizen adoption, describing it as a people-centred approach that required discipline rather than large investments.
This year’s GNKA recognised eight outstanding enterprises of which two emerged as the overall winners in the small and medium category which included Odina Couture and Amanex Company Limited.
Others recognised were Aspee Pharmaceuticals, Taabea Company Limited, Yedent Agro Group, Mass Industries Limited, Bomarts Farms Limited, and Aniwasu Garments for their innovation, productivity, and resilience.
By Cecilia Yada Lagba
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU2
Ghana’s Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has pledged Ghana’s continued commitment to advancing women’s rights and empowerment.
She made the statement at the UN High-Level Meeting marking 30 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
Dr. Lartey said the Beijing Declaration, adopted in 1995, was a bold vision that recognized the advancement of women and girls as key to peace, justice, and sustainable development.
She added that while much progress had been made, the journey to full equality was still not complete.
She explained that the commemoration was of special importance to Ghana as it coincided with the 50th anniversary of the country’s national machinery for women.
She also highlighted that Ghana made history in January this year when its first female vice president was sworn into office, describing it as a breakthrough that showed the country’s determination to give women’s voices space in governance.
According to the minister, Ghana has strengthened its legal and policy framework by passing the Affirmative Action Act in 2024 and adopting a new gender policy to guide actions from 2025 to 2035.
She added that protection systems had been reinforced through the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service.
She pointed to Ghana’s focus on economic empowerment through programs such as the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP), the School Feeding Program, and the Microfinance and Small Loan Centers (MASLOC).
Plans, she said, were underway to establish a Women’s Development Bank to expand financial inclusion and provide affordable credit, especially for women in underserved areas.
Dr. Lartey stressed that the Beijing Declaration was not just a promise written on paper but a call to action.
She urged the international community to recommit to removing barriers and giving women and girls equal opportunities.
She affirmed Ghana’s commitment to a future where no woman or girl is left behind.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), DCOP Lydia Donkor, has commended the Ashanti Regional Police Commander and his team for their professionalism during an operation that dismantled a notorious armed robbery syndicate.
Speaking at the Police Headquarters in Accra, DCOP Donkor said the success of the operation was due to effective teamwork and tactical execution by the regional command.
She stressed that their dedication and courage played a major role in bringing down the gang, which had been terrorizing banks and rural financial institutions across the country.
She further praised the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, for his leadership and direction, which she said has strengthened the fight against armed robbery and improved public confidence in the police.
DCOP Donkor assured the public that investigations are ongoing and pledged that the police will not relent in pursuing the remaining suspects still at large.
She called on Ghanaians to continue to support the police with information that can help in combating crime.
By: Jacob Aggrey
