Prioritise sales professionals in 24-Hour Economy agenda – Michael Abbiw to government

The Chief Executive Officer of MGA Consulting Ghana Limited, Michael Abbiw, has called on the government to place sales professionals at the centre of Ghana’s proposed 24-hour economy initiative.

He argued that no national policy aimed at boosting productivity can succeed without the people responsible for generating revenue and driving market demand.

Speaking at the launch of the 2026 National Sales Leaders Conference (NSLC) in Accra, Abbiw stressed that sales professionals are the “engines behind the businesses” expected to power extended economic activity under the 24-hour model.

“No business can operate beyond daylight if it cannot generate the revenue, market demand, or customer traction required to sustain extended operations,” he said.

He warned that Ghana’s ambitions around export expansion, industrial growth, and productivity will remain limited unless deliberate investments are made to strengthen the capacity and professionalism of the country’s sales workforce.

Despite being the “backbone of the commercial sector,” Abbiw noted that sales professionals continue to be undervalued in national discourse, even though they serve as the frontline players navigating market shifts, winning customers, and keeping businesses afloat.

The 2026 edition of the NSLC is scheduled for June 17–18, 2026, under the theme “Redefining Sales Excellence for Today’s Dynamic Market.”

A key highlight of the launch was the announcement of the National Sales Awards, set for June 19, 2026, at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra. The awards will honor outstanding sales professionals who demonstrate excellence, resilience, and innovation.

“We will not be just another award to be given or sold. We will bring together Ghana’s leading sales professionals and design a selection criteria that truly reflects excellence,” Abbiw assured.

The General Manager of CorEvents Solutions, Clarus Kwofie, called on corporate organisations and government agencies to partner, exhibit, and support the event.

He noted that the NSLC has evolved into a national platform dedicated to raising the standard of sales leadership across multiple industries.

The Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) has formally endorsed the conference, describing NSLC 2026 as a crucial tool for strengthening business competitiveness in the face of economic pressures.

National Treasurer of the Chamber, Kabutey Caesar, urged manufacturers, SMEs, and exporters to fully participate.

“Across industries, one thing is clear: businesses that survive today’s economic pressures are those that invest in skilled, disciplined, and forward-thinking sales teams,” he said.

“The NSLC is not just another gathering; it is one of the few national platforms directly strengthening business competitiveness and revenue performance,” Caesar said.

He added that the conference brings together “strategic minds, frontline professionals, and innovators who shape how Ghanaian products and services reach the market,” making it a matter of national economic importance.

The National Sales Leaders Conference is Ghana’s premier gathering for sales and marketing professionals, attracting top industry experts, executives, and thought leaders.

In 2024, the NSLC drew more than 2,000 participants from sectors including telecommunications, banking, insurance, pharmaceuticals, engineering, manufacturing, technology, consultancy, state-owned enterprises, and oil and gas.