Mr. Abubakar Saddique Boniface, deputy Minister for Tourism, has observed that it is high time Ghanaians abroad who contributed towards the development of Ghana through various international business entrepreneurship were awarded.

He said by so doing, both the award winners and non-winners alike would be encouraged to attain greater heights.

Mr. Boniface Abubakar Saddique said this in a speech when he launched the Industrial Pinnacle Awards in the UK in his capacity as chairman of the Advisory Board of the Industrial Pinnacle Africa network (IPA), an affiliation of SYNABANN Group Ltd, who instituted the award. He said the government of Ghana and leaders of Africa as a whole had come to the realisation that the development of a vibrant private sector was the key to economic growth.

"The institutions of the AU and the NEPAD are clear manifestations of the readiness of Africa for Economic Union," he said. Mr. Abubakar Saddique said the declaration by the government of the "golden age of business" as well as the President's special initiatives, which emphasised the promotion of private sector development, aimed at creating wealth and employment.

He said the award is thus to reward Entrepreneurs/business Executives and Ghanaian individuals both home and abroad who have excelled in their chosen fields of endeavour and are considered as development partners of the economy.

Mr. Abubakar Saddique said the award would highlight the achievements of nominees in their respective categories, which are entrepreneurship, technology, education and research. He said, benefits for the winners range from financial, technical and consultancy services awards, flags, plaques and trade promotions in both local and international markets on the website.

In a brief chat with the Ghana News Agency at the Airport, Mr. Saddique Abubakar said a suitable date is still being worked out for the first award, which is scheduled for March 2004.

He said the award which would be held annually would be held in Ghana as well as another chosen country, adding that the UK was going to be the first, adding that it would be held to coincide with independence day celebration which falls on March 6.

The award is in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Presidential initiatives, Ministry of private sector Development, Ministry of Science and Environment, Ministry of Tourism and Modernisation of the capital city, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Ghana Export promotion Council, National Board for Small Scale Industries, and the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Others are the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and the Ghana Standards Board.