‘Importance of beverage industry to economy can’t be underestimated’

The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mark Okraku-Mantey, has stated that the importance of the beverage industry to the Ghanaian economy cannot be underestimated.

He said the industry provided jobs, contributed immensely to tax revenue and some of the corporate social investment embarked upon by some of the companies were helping improve the society.

Mr Okraku-Mantey made the observation during the 8th Ghana Beverage Awards 2023 held in Accra on Friday.

Organised by the Global Media Alliance (GMA), a media and public relations consultancy firm, it was dubbed “Inspiring Excellence Ghana’s Beverage Industry”.

In all, 21 companies were awarded for their outstanding performance in the 2023 financial year.

Mr Okraku-Mantey said the objective of the government was to make tourism the leading foreign exchange earner for the country, adding that this could be achieved through the active support of the beverage industry.

To this end, the Deputy Minister entreated the players in the beverage industry to continue to introduce more beverages to attract travellers into the country.

“You are our important partners and should support the government to promote tourism in the country,” Mr Okraku-Mantey said.

The guest of honour, Senator Benedict Murray-Bruce, entreated the government to change its economic policies to protect the beverage industry.

He said the country should protect its borders and not allow any product to enter the country.

That, Senator Murray-Bruce, who is the Chairman of the Silverbird Group, said, would help protect the Ghanaian economy.

The Group Chief Executive Officer of GMA, Ernest Boateng, said the programme, an initiative of GMA, was introduced in 2016.

He said the award was to promote excellence in the beverage production to foster a culture of efficiency and sustainable production practices.

Mr Boateng said the award scheme served as a dynamic platform for industry players to come together and also keep abreast of evolving trends and maintain the highest standards in production and delivery.

The Group Chief Executive Officer of GMA stressed that in view of the global shift towards sustainability, the sustainability champion of the year was instituted to recognise beverage companies leading the charge in sustainable production methods.

BY KINGSLEY ASARE