CCIFG holds maiden edition of CCIFG Awards

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry France Ghana (CCIFG) in partnership with the Labadi Beach Hotel held the CCIFG Gala Night at the Labadi Beach Hotel on Thursday 15th March 2018.

Attended by about 350 guests comprised of high profile corporate moguls, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Republic of Ghana, Honourable Samuel Abu Jinapor as well as the Ambassador of France to Ghana H.E. Francois Pujolas. The event was also the grand occasion to host the maiden edition of the CCIFG Awards.

2017 was a year to reposition the Chamber as well as its business activities to better suit its network as well as promote the Ghanaian economy. The second edition of the CCIFG Gala Night held, created a platform for businesses executives to thus grow their network and have direct access to opportunities among a diverse group of co-professionals.

Speaking to guests in his welcome address, the President of the CCIFG Mr Patrick Prado was elated to share objectives achieved during the course of 2017 which revolved around strategically repositioning the Chamber as a promoter of the Ghanaian and French markets as well as upgrading business support to companies were successfully achieved.

To this end, about 40 French companies and other businesses benefited from the chamber’s support to enable them better understand and penetrate the local market.

Elaborating further on the successes of the French Chamber which has grown to 120 members from 54 members in 2016, CCI France Ghana organised a total of 17 events.

The participants to the Gala were also enlightened on the CCIFG’s direction for 2018 which is already well underway.

Business support in 2018 begun with 3 successful trade missions to Ghana coupled with the visit of the CAP Afrique delegation of African counsellors for French SME’s, who had a first-hand experience and overview of the business opportunities available to enable them give a better representation of Ghana to foreign businesses.

Mr Prado also highlighted the impact of the Ghana Days Tour which was launched in 2017.

The tour saw the Managing Director of the French Chamber visiting various regions in France and Lebanon to speak more on the Ghanaian market. As such, 7 collective trade missions have already been scheduled in addition to a discovery trade mission to France.

The presence of the Government representatives from Ghana and equally from France also gives an optimistic indication of a growth in bilateral relationship between the Republic of Ghana and the Republic of France.

Hon Samuel Abu Jinapor addressing guests gave a focus on the collaboration of both Republics and the importance on advancing on the bilateral relationship to the President of the Republic of Ghana.

With Ghana surrounded by Francophone countries Togo, Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, there is a need for the promotion of the French language, an initiative which is equally being pushed by the President of Ghana. To this effect, the government is promoting bilingual education and testing it with 5 schools in the country.

H.E. Francois Pujolas in his speech to participants was elated to share on his delight on the growth of the bilateral relationship between France and Ghana and its positive direction.

The realisation of increasing activities between France and Ghana as well as France’s commitment to not only sustain this relationship but also support the growing activities between France and Ghana which was reinforced by the visit of the President of France, H.E. Emmanuel Macron to Ghana.

The visit is a step towards the modernisation of France's relations with Ghana by emphasising business links, education and sport.

The maiden edition of the CCI France Ghana Awards was also held at the Gala Night. Six companies were awarded in 6 different categories for excelling among criteria outlined in each category. The categories and winners are:

- Digital Innovation Award: won by Jade E. Services Ltd for their ecommerce and diverse online marketplaces grouped under Jumia, Jumia Travel, Jumia Food, Jumia House and Jumia Flights

- Best CSR and Sustainability Company of the Year: won by Total Petroleum Ghana Ltd for the various CSR activities to contribute to livelihood which includes year-long activity to show support for World Malaria Day, road safety education for over 8000 dead children in various part in the north as well rehabilitation and construction of classroom blocks and other facilities in schools in the North

- Emerging Company of the Year: awarded to GHL Bank Ltd for the successful transition from a mortgage finance institution to a licensed bank to meet the needs Ghanaians and companies

- Transformational Project Award: won by Meridian Port Services for the ongoing execution of the $1.5 billion Port of Tema Expansion Project which will significantly boost economic growth and create around 450,000 indirect jobs

- Judges Choice Award: awarded to Decathlon Ghana for the impact of the Decathlon Foundation on the community following less than a year of establishing a subsidiary in Ghana

- CCIFG Associate Award: awarded to AirtelTigo for the merger making it the second largest Mobile Network Operator in Ghana with a combined customer base of approximately 10 million and 25% market share.

The CCIFG Gala Night is organised as an annual event to showcase an optimistic indication of the growth and prosperity of the bilateral relationship between the Republic of Ghana and the Republic of France as well as the role by the Chamber to promote business activity through high-level networking.

Sponsors to the second edition of the Gala and maiden CCIFG Awards were Allianz, CFAO, Logiplus, Orsam, Pernod Ricard, Societe Generale Ghana and Total Petroleum Ghana Ltd.