Outstanding entrepreneurs have been penciled to receive awards at the fourth edition of UT Bank Ghana Entrepreneur Awards 2013, slated for the State Banquet Hall on Friday April 25.

It is on the theme: Public and Private Sector Partnership, the key to National Development.

A statement issued in Accra, by Mr Sam Ato Gaisie, Founder and President of Entrepreneurs Foundation of Ghana (EFG), said the key objective of the award is to recognise outstanding entrepreneurs, who continue to contribute towards national development through spurring job creation and have distinguished themselves as role models for the next generation of entrepreneurs.

The event will be addressed by Mr Ken Ashigbey, Managing Director, Graphic Communications Group Limited, as Guest Speaker with Mr Johnson Adasi, Director in Charge of Industry, Ministry of Trade and Industry as Guest of Honour representing the sector Minister.

Mr Rashid Pelpuo, Minister of State at the Presidency in Charge of Public-Private Partnership, will be the Special Guest of Honour representing President John Dramani Mahama.

Mr Gaisie said despite the number of critical challenges that many businesses face, which could restrict growth and slow down the progress of poverty alleviation and development, some have braced the storm, hence the importance to duly recognise such entities so that they know that their contributions are not futile.

According to the award committee, the award criteria included entrepreneurial spirit, vision and innovation, financial growth and sustainability, personal integrity, strategic marketing involvement and corporate social responsibility.

However categories to award include Entrepreneur of the Year 2013, Liftetme Entrepreneur, International Entrepreneur, Most Promising Entrepreneur, Woman Entrepreneur and Young and Emerging Entrepreneur.

Christopher Thornely, Canadian High Commissioner, Jeanette Ndhlovu, South African High Commissioner and Shri Ajaneesh Kumar, Deputy Indian High Commissioner will grace the event.

Other dignitaries will include,Mr Peter Trenchard, Director of the Economic Growth Office USAID, Ghana, Mr Gao Wenzhi, Economic and Commercial Counsellor, Chinese Embassy, Ms C. Patricia Alsup, Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy, Mrs Caron Rohsler, Chargee d Affaires, UK High Commission and Mr William Gibaud, Head of UK Trade and Investment.

Many Captains of industry in Ghana will also be present. The Ghana Entrepreneur Award is an initiative of EFG and endorsed by the Ministries of Trade and Industry and Finance and partnered by Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry, American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana, Ghanaian German Economic Association and Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Ghana.

The event is under the headline sponsorship of UT Bank Ghana Limited, with support from CDH Financial Holdings, Global Access Savings and Loans Ltd, Delta Airline, Afrodan Ltd, Cave and Gardens, Daily Graphic, Business and Financial Times, CCTV Africa and Vox Africa. London.

Other partners include Ghana Business and Finance Magazine, Agoo Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine, Businessworld and Gilbeys Gin.