Platinum Excellence Awards launched to celebrate long-standing businesses

By Buertey Francis BORYOR

A new national awards scheme aimed at recognising long-standing businesses for their contribution to the country’s economic growth, innovation and national development has been launched in Accra.

The Ghana Platinum Excellence Awards, launched under the theme “Honoring History, Recognising Excellence, Building the Future,” seeks to preserve the country’s corporate heritage while inspiring future generations to build enduring institutions. It will honour companies that have demonstrated longevity, resilience and sustained impact across various sectors of the economy.

Founder of the initiative, Nii Saka Brown, said the awards scheme was conceived after observing that many businesses which have operated successfully for decades continue to make significant contributions to the country’s development without receiving the recognition they deserve.

According to him, while new businesses often attract public attention during their launch, little attention is paid to companies that have weathered economic, political and market challenges over many years while continuing to create jobs, support families and contribute to national development.

“We celebrate new beginnings, but we rarely stop to recognise businesses that have stood the test of time. Starting a business is difficult, but building one that survives for generations is extraordinary,” he said.

He explained that the initiative is intended to celebrate institutional resilience, promote good corporate governance, preserve the nation’s corporate and industrial heritage and encourage entrepreneurs to build businesses capable of lasting beyond their founders.

Mr. Brown said eligibility for the awards extends beyond companies established before Ghana’s independence, adding that businesses that have operated for at least 20 years and continue to demonstrate excellence and sustainability will also qualify for consideration. “The ceremony would be held in September this year with about 20 categories for companies in the private sector,” he furthermore said.

Beyond recognising outstanding companies, he said the scheme is expected to strengthen investor confidence by signalling that the nation values organisations that demonstrate long-term commitment, resilience and excellence.

“When investors come to Ghana and build successful businesses over many years, they should know their contribution will be recognised. Encouragement is important in building a strong business environment,” he noted.

The veteran actor, Mr. Brown, also plan to introduce a Legends Breakfast Meeting, which will bring together founders and executives of long-established companies to share their experiences, challenges and success stories with younger entrepreneurs to promote institutional continuity and knowledge transfer.

To ensure credibility and transparency, he said that winners will not be determined through public voting. Instead, participating companies will undergo an independent vetting process, with information verified through the Registrar-General’s Department alongside assessments by a 25-member panel of judges.

“The credibility comes from verification, not popularity. We want the process to be based entirely on merit and authenticated records,” he said.

He expressed hope that, over time, the awards would inspire younger businesses to pursue long-term sustainability rather than short-term success, adding that he would like to see companies established today eventually receiving recognition alongside century-old institutions.

Chief Executive Officer of RITE Sports Services, Yaw Sakyi Afari, who officially launched the initiative, described it as an important national platform for recognising organisations whose histories are closely intertwined with the country’s development.

He observed that many companies have remained relevant through changing economic conditions and generations, creating employment opportunities and contributing significantly to national growth.

According to him, celebrating such institutions would encourage stronger businesses, promote sustainable economic development and inspire entrepreneurs to focus on building organisations capable of enduring for decades.

Mr. Afari called on government institutions, corporate organisations, development partners and the media to support the initiative, stressing that preserving the country’s corporate legacy is essential to strengthening its business environment and inspiring future generations of entrepreneurs.

He was optimistic that the platform would honour legacy, celebrate institutional excellence and recognise businesses whose contributions have helped shape the country’s economic progress.

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