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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
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The 24 Hour Economy Authority has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hunan Architectural Design Institute Group to support the planning of the Volta Economic Corridor.
The agreement aims to guide how land within the corridor will be used, design key infrastructure, and develop systems that will support large scale production.
The partnership will focus on detailed planning to make the area ready for investment and smooth business operations.
The project will include the development of agroecological parks, industrial zones, and transport networks to connect production centres to markets.
According to the Authority, proper planning is critical to building strong economic systems and expanding production across the corridor.
It noted that the collaboration with the Chinese design firm will help lay a solid foundation for industrial growth and long term development within the Volta Economic Corridor.
By: Jacob Aggrey
President of the Ghana Bar Association, Efua Ghartey, has called on judges and lawyers to carry out their duties with humility, fairness, and a strong sense of responsibility.
She made the appeal during the Supreme Court at 150 celebration held at the University of Ghana, under the theme “Honouring the past, celebrating the present and defining the future.”
Addressing participants, she noted that those in the legal profession occupy positions of great power and influence, and must therefore remain humble in the discharge of their duties.
She urged both the bench and the bar to deliver justice without fear or ill will, stressing the need for fairness in handling cases.
Reflecting on the significance of the celebration, she explained that the year 1876 marks not only the establishment of the Supreme Court but also the beginning of formally trained lawyers in the Gold Coast.
The GBA President questioned what Ghana would be without the rule of law, which is upheld by judges and lawyers, adding that the country could descend into a system where only the strongest survive if justice is not properly administered.
She further encouraged legal practitioners to reflect on their responsibilities and remain committed to upholding the rule of law for the benefit of all citizens.
By: Jacob Aggrey
