Global Media Alliance (GMA), organiser of the Ghana Beverage Awards (GBA), has expressed enthusiasm about its preparations toward the 2nd edition of the GBA; indicating the need to appreciate the hard work of Ghana’s beverages.

The Chief Executive Officer of GMA, Mr. Ernest Boateng said: “Preparations are far advanced in organising the 2nd edition of the Ghana Beverage Awards – the only platform in Ghana wherein the contributions of beverage Industry players are recognised and rewarded.

With the enhanced application – including beverage companies’ contributions to corporate social responsibility, environmental friendliness of their operations, employment, tax obligations as well as product quality – we expect a highly competitive edition”.

The maiden edition of GBA was organised last year with the aim of recognising and appreciating excellence within the beverage industry in Ghana. The initiative received massive commendation from stakeholders.

The 2nd edition of the awards, scheduled for this Friday 22nd June, 2018, will be held at the Alisa Hotel in Accra. The event will witness the country’s top beverage companies which have gone through a series of examinations by high-level competent judges with expertise in the industry.

According to Mr. Boateng: “There are 13 categories in all, and applications have been received from key players in the beverage industry. The panel of judges comprises representatives from the Food and Beverages Association of Ghana, Food Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and Consumer Protection Agency among others, and is in the final stages of the scoring process”.

He mentioned Spirit of the Year, Beer of the Year, Bitters of the Year, Water of the Year, Ciders/RTD of the Year, CSD of the Year, Cocoa/Chocolate/dairy drink of the Year, Energy drink of the Year, and Fruit juice of the year as some categories for the awards.

Others are Manufacturer of the Year and Product of the Year. “There are two (2) new categories – Socially Responsible Company of the Year and New Beverage of the Year – which have been incorporated into the assessment,” he added.

Top companies including Coca-Cola Company Limited, Blue Skies Company Limited, Blow Chem Industries, Africa Cola, Kasapreko Company Limited, GIHOC Distilleries, Special Ice, Vitamilk Ghana and Guinness Ghana Brewery Limited (GGBL) are participating in the 2nd edition of the awards programme.

The Food and Beverage Association of Ghana (FABAG), Food Research Institute under the Centre for Scientific and industrial Research (CSIR), Consumer Protection Agency and the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) are the organising partners of the event.

Kasapreko Company Limited, Guinness Ghana Brewery Limited, Blow Chem Industries (producer of Bel Aqua Mineral Water), Special Ice Company Limited, Blues Skies Ghana, TT Brothers Company Limited (producer of Uncle T wine), GIHOC Distilleries (producer of Castle Bridge) and Twellium Industrial Company Limited (producers of Rush Energy Drink) participated in the Maiden Edition last year.