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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 New Patriotic Party (NPP) says it has successfully conducted constituency executive elections in 245 out of its 276 constituencies across the country.
The party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, said the exercise recorded an 88.7 per cent success rate and was conducted peacefully in the constituencies where voting took place.
In an update posted on his Facebook page, he said elections in 23 constituencies were put on hold because of various disputes.
He added that four constituencies Ningo Prampram, Atwima Mponua, Obuasi West and Trobu could not hold their elections due to last minute challenges.
According to him, the party’s National Steering Committee will also review election activities in Afigya Sekyere East, Adansi Asokwa, Bantama and Asante Akyem Central.
Mr Frimpong said the National Secretariat is committed to resolving all outstanding issues to ensure the successful completion of the constituency executive elections.
He expressed appreciation to members of the party for their support and discipline throughout the exercise.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to all Patriots for their commitment, discipline, and support, which contributed to the successful conduct of these elections,” he stated.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Northern Regional Police Command has arrested two Nigerian nationals in connection with the murder of a 36-year-old Nigerian man at Sanzirigu in Tamale.
The suspects, identified as Daniel Victor Eze and David Oko Ewa, were arrested on Saturday, July 11, shortly after the body of Nkemujika Uzorchuku Eze was found in his bedroom.
According to the Police, preliminary investigations showed that the deceased lived in a three-bedroom apartment with his wife, Peace Uzorchuku, the two suspects and another Nigerian national, Godwin Nwafor.
The Police said officers began investigations after receiving a report that the deceased had been found lying in a pool of blood in his room.
A team that visited the scene found that he had suffered a deep cut to the forehead and had a towel stuffed into his mouth. The room had also been ransacked.
The Police said a wooden pestle believed to have been used in the attack, together with other items, was recovered from the scene for forensic examination.
The body was taken to the Tamale Teaching Hospital, where a medical officer confirmed him dead before it was deposited at the hospital mortuary for preservation and an autopsy.
According to the Police, intelligence-led operations led to the arrest of the two suspects at Tatale on the same day while they were allegedly attempting to escape into the Republic of Togo.
They were later handed over to the Tamale District Criminal Investigations Department to assist with investigations.
The Police said the suspects allegedly admitted during interrogation that they had conspired to kill the deceased because he had been withholding money they claimed was obtained through internet fraud.
A search conducted after their arrest led to the recovery of several items suspected to have been stolen from the deceased’s room, including mobile phones, laptop computers, a tablet, jewellery, clothing, wristwatches, personal documents and other valuables. The Police said the items have been kept as exhibits to support the investigations.
The suspects remain in Police custody and are expected to appear before court on Monday, July 13, to facilitate the ongoing investigations.
The Northern Regional Police Command said it remains committed to bringing everyone involved in the crime to justice and urged the public to provide credible information to help fight crime.
By: Jacob Aggrey
