Accra, March 16, GNA - The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), organisers of the Ghana Club 100 awards, on Monday requested from companies, which wish to be considered for the 2009 awards, to submit their audited accounts. Businesses willing to participate in the awards must submit a set each of three years of audited accounts for 2006, 2007 and 2008 in hard copy by April 3, a statement issued in Accra on Monday said. The awards are being held on the theme: "Celebrating Ghana's Business Leaders."

The statement said, following extensive consultations with key stakeholders, the 2009 awards would be based on revised criteria to reflect current national development needs. Under these criteria, up to 65 per cent of the score will be derived from the audited accounts of businesses where factors such as actual growth, profitability and returns on equity will be considered. The remaining 35 per cent will be based on a peer review mechanism. As part of this peer review process questionnaires will be sent to selected stakeholder representatives in the public and private sector. The statement said based on information received from the above criteria, businesses would be categorised according to the 10 strategic sectors which were in line with government's development agenda. These are Best company in Agriculture and Agribusiness; Financial Services; Information and Communication Technology; Services; infrastructure; Petroleum and Mining Services; Manufacturing; Tourism; Health and Education.

There will be awards for the first 10 businesses in each of these 10 strategic sectors. The 10 winners will then compete for the Ghana's Most Respected Business Award.

There will also be special awards for outstanding business performers in particular categories and sectors.