The Association honoured individuals and corporate institutions who championed the growth and development of industry in Ghana since the establishment of AGI.
The Vice President, His Excellency Mr John Mahama, has declared the government's determination to use its procurement activities to stimulate the growth of the private sector and create business opportunities for small and medium-scale enterprises.
The Vice President said "procurement at the national, metropolitan, municipal and district levels must create opportunities for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) across the country to benefit from government contracts".
On the theme, "Creating Africa Industrial Giants", the colourful occasion attracted people from industry and the private sector in general, development partners, government, past and present ministers as well as other players in the industrial sector.
The Vice President pointed out, however, that the government would prioritise investment in agriculture, the mainstay of the economy and said the government was negotiating to purchase 2,000 tractors to be distributed to farmers across the country. Additionally, he said, the government would subsidise inputs, refurbish dams and locate agriculture service centres across farming communities to offer services to farmers.
Mr Mahama said the government was aware of the challenges of the manufacturing sector, particularly SMEs, and gave the assurance that the government would deal with them through decisive interventions such as the Export Development and Investment Fund (EDIF).
The government has already given a strong indication that it would strengthen and restructure the National Board for Small-Scale Industries (NBSSI), which has business advisory service offices across the country, to address skill needs and provide markets for SMEs to make them competitive.
Mr Mahama commended the personalities and institutions who were honoured by the AGI, saying "These are exceptional men and women who have dedicated their energy, intellect, professionalism and commitment to the service of Ghanaian economy".
The President of AGI, Mr Tony Oteng-Gyasi, commended government agencies that partnered the Association during its 50 years journey and singled out the Capital Investment Board, now the Ghana Investment Promotiion Centre (GIPC), the Ghana Trade Fair Company, the Ghana Standards Board and the Private Enterprise Foundation for their contributions to AGI.
He said the Golden Jubilee anniversary also marked the beginning of a new strategic approach to advocacy for industrial growth and development to be built around strong partnership between the public sector and the Association, as well as other civil society and private sector partners.
Mr Oteng-Gyasi underlined the need for the country to recommit itself to radical industrialisation as was the case in the post-independence era, saying AGI would intensify its engagement with the government and stakeholders to crusade for the country to industrialise.
The Association awarded its three immediate past executive directors and the first honorary secretary. They were Messrs Eddie Imbeah-Amoakuh, Andrew Evans Quayson and Andrew Lawson and Mr Stephen N. K. Ocloo. AGI past presidents Mr Ebenezer Acquaah-Harrison, Mr Akenten Appiah-Menkah, Dr Justice Atta Addison, Prince Kofi Kludjeson, Timothy Adjei Adjetey and Mr K.G. Khubchandani and Mrs Elisabeth Joyce Villars were also honoured.
Corporate institutions which received honours include the Graphic Comunications Group Ltd, Agricare Ltd, Akuley Shoes Limited, Akuaba Furniture Ltd, Nkulenu Industries Ltd, one of the AGI founders, Midland Press Limited and Scanstyle Mim Limited.
Other companies are Unilever Ghana Ltd, Accra Brewery Ltd, Guinness Ghana Breweries Ltd, Texstyles Ghana Ltd, Nsawam Foam Co. Ltd., The Poly Group of Companies, Cadbury Ghana Ltd, Fan Milk Ghana Ltd, Ghana Aluminium Company Ltd, and Ghacem Limited.
The President Mr Tony Oteng-Gyasi, delivering his speech during the Awards Night.