The Forty under 40 Awards another initiative from Xodus Communications Limited seeks to identify, honour and celebrate a cross-section of the nation's most influential and accomplished young business leaders under the age forty from a wide range of industries we cover, who are committed to business growth, professional excellence and community service and have risen up the ranks of their companies or industries at a relatively young age as result of this.

Xodus Communications limited a local events management company is accredited with the Ghana Oil and Gas Awards, Ghana Manufacturing Awards, Ghana Aviation Awards and Ghana Auto Awards.

The Award which is in collaboration with Ministry of Business Development and Ernst and Young is among other things, aimed at recognizing and celebrating 40 emerging leaders under the age of 40 who demonstrate or impact personally and/ or professionally through their exceptional leadership; identifying projects and individual achievements that have enabled young achievers to set them apart from their competitors and have produced clear and compelling value, return on investment, and other relevant results and finally encourage our upcoming youth that excellence and success can be achieved at a very tender age.

According to the Events Director , Richard Abbey Jnr, putting the spotlight on these young achievers it will not only celebrate them but also build a strong platform for them by giving a voice and opportunities to the next generation of industry pacesetters whiles building a positive attitude in our youth to strive for excellence at a tender age. He said, 121 nominees from 40 different industries are competing for forty trophies in this year's event

The Under 40 Champions Summit

The Under 40 Champions Summit is an educational and networking event for shortlisted nominees. It is expected to gather Entrepreneurs and Chief Executives under 40. The Summit offers participants a one-day retreat in order to gain new perspective on their businesses.

It also serves as a networking event for the industry’s present and future leaders. Attendees will have a full day session with renowned strategic business consultant Dr. Ato Conduah, Professor Robert Ebo Hinson and others.

At the Under 40 Champions Summit, Achievers and Emerging Leaders from across the country will converge at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel on 14th September to engage with the ideas and issues that shapes our lives and challenges our times.

Through plenary sessions, panels, debates, keynote addresses, interviews and presentations, you will engage in dialogues with top notch business leaders, inspiring practitioners, change agents and mind-blowing thinkers from across the country.

Our Awarding Board is seeking outstanding entrepreneurs, executives, managers and professionals in the public and private and non-profit sectors and will recognise attributes such as achievements in business, experience and innovation, vision, leadership and community involvement.

2017 Nominees

Agriculture & Agro Processing

1. Mr Kwabena Boateng (Plantation Resources Limited)

2. Mr Augustine Dawereso Boateng (Dawereso Boateng Enterprise)

3. Dr Jacob Paarechuga Anakware (AnePaare Farms)

4. Mr Richard E Addison (Kent Farms Ltd)

5. Ms. Nana Adjoa Amponsah (Guzakuza)

Architecture/ Design/ Décor

1. Mrs Nana Akua Oppong Birmeh (Arch Xenus)

2. Ms Freda. A. Otibu (PhebCollections)

Authorship & Creative Writing

1. Mr Ali Seidu Maestro (Professional Writings Consult)

2. Dr Ruby Goka

3. Mr Gamel Sankarl (Gamelian Books)

4. Mr Zadok K Gyesi (Ghana Writers Awards)

5. Mr Sylvanus Bedzrah (Mini-Star Series Publications)

Banking & Finance

1. Dr Edem Bart Williams (Commerz Savings & Loans)

2. Dr Kwabena Duffour II (UniBank Ghana Limited)

3. Dr Nii Kotei Dzani (Groupe Ideal)

4. Mr Thomas Quayson (Nzema Manle Rural Bank Ltd)

5. Mr Alexander. A. Aboagye (A-Cube Microfinance Ltd)

6. Mr Justice Jnr Offei (Sikadan Money Lending)

7. Mr Philip Oti- Mensah (OmniBank Ghana Limited)

8. Mrs Abena Brigidi (Nimed Capital Ltd)

9. Mr Ben Adu - Owusu (Direct Savings and Loans Limited)

10. Alhaji Abdul Salamu Amadu (Afro Arab Group of Companies)

Beauty & Lifestyle

1. Ms Rebecca Donkor (Makeup Ghana)

2. Ms Rebecca Asamoah (Reghens Africa limited)

Consultancy & Professional Services

1. Mr Derrick Vormawor (Platinum Africa Solutions Limited)

2. Dr Nii Kotei Dzani (Groupe Ideal)

3. Ms Asabea Agyare (Windrow Consult)

Construction

1. Mr Rudolph Amo-Asare (Eno Afansor Company Ltd)

Education

1. Ms Lydia .S. Arhin (Faith Community Baptist Complex of Schools)

2. Mr Eric Vondee (My Home Teacher)

3. Mr Thomas T Worlanyo (Cilak Investment Limited)

4. Mr Evans Owusu Amankwah (Midstream Literary Agency)

5. Mrs Lisa Donkoh (Omega Schools Catalyst Learning System)

6. Ms Freda Nyame (Inspiring Young Achievers Network Africa)

7. Mr Solomon. A. Sarkodie (Virtue International School)

Energy

1. Mr Benjamin Boakye (Africa Centre for Energy Policy)

2. Mr Henry Teinor (Energy Media Group)

3. Mr Prosper. A. Amuquandoh (Smart and Green Energy Group)

Event Management/ Planning

1. Mr Aaron Appiah- Korang (SLGH and House of Maasela)

2. Mr Alain Gbeasor (Mobex)

3. Mr Benjamin Bosompem (Vibrant Youth of Africa)

4. Mr Clarence Amoatey (Touchpoint Magna Carta)

Family Business

1. Dr Kwabena Duffour II (UniBank Ghana Limited)

2. Mr Richard Adjei (Kasapreko Company Limited)

3. Mr Kofy Hagan (L'AINE Services Limited)

Fashion

1. Mr Yussif Mahama (Harmony Trends Ghana Limited)

2. Ms Doreen Aidoo Bervell (Rennys glitters)

3. Ms Freda. A. Otibu (PhebCollections)

4. Ms Herty Twens (Gold Model Agency)

5. Mr Oheneba Yaw Boamah (Abrantie The Gentleman)

Food / Catering & Beverage

1. Ms. Awuradwoa Adjei (Mashke Express)

2. Ms Makafui Brempong (D-Amphora Company Limited)

3. Mrs Maud Lindsay Gamrat (Atlantic Catering and Logistics Limited)

4. Ms Akua Obenewaa Donkor (DecoKraft)

5. Ms Ruth Amoah (The Sweet Art Co)

Government & Government Agencies

1. Ms Kosi Yankey (National Board for Small Scale Industries-NBSSI)

2. Dr Nii Kotei Dzani (Council of State Ghana)

Health & Wellness

1. Mrs Bernice Antwi (Fitvolution)

2. Dr William Okyere- Frempong (LEKMA Polyclinic)

3. Dr Jonathan W Abesig (West Gonja Hospital)

4. Mr Frederick Amissah (Herbalife of Ghana Limited)

5. Mr Laud Anthony Basing (INCAS Group)

6. Mr Yaw Opare-Asamoah (Dannex/Ayrton/Starwin)

Hospitality

1. Mrs Akua Antwiwaa Agyei (Signature Resort Ltd)

Human Resource & Development

1. Ms Elsie Appau Esq (Acreaty Ghana Limited)

2. Dr William Okyere- Frempong (The Hud Group Ghana)

Insurance

1. Mr Richard Dugan (Asterix Insurance Brookers)

Investments

1. Mrs Abena Brigidi (Nimed Capital Ltd)

2. Dr Edem Bart Williams (Nordea Capital Limited)

3. Dr Nii Kotei Dzani (Groupe Ideal)

4. Mr Richard Dugan (McOttley Holdings)

5. Mr Bernard Osei-Tutu (Dusk Capital)

6. Mr Ben Adu-Owusu (Direct Savings and Loans Limited)

Journalism (Radio/ TV/ Newspaper)

1. Ms Esi Yankah (The Esi Yankah Show)

2. Mr Siita S Hissan (North Television)

3. Mr Roger. A. Agana (News Ghana)

4. Mr Richard Dugan (EEAR Multimedia – Business Day)

Logistics

1. Mr Jeremiah Lartey (Classpeemarket)

2. Mr Michael Ahwireng (Ahnd & Co Ltd)

Manufacturing

1. Mr Alain Gbeasor (Gesus Company Ltd)

2. Mr Daniel Odonkor (Chaste)

3. Mr Yaw Opare-Asamoah (Dannex/Ayrton/Starwin)

4. Mr Richard Adjei (Kasapreko Company Limited)

5. Mr Thomas .T. Worlanyo (Cilak Investment Limited)

6. Ms Akua Obenawaa Donkor (DecoKraft)

Media (Digital & Social)

1. Ms Anita Erskine (Anita Erskine Media)

2. Mr Gilbert Asare Akoto (Salmamumin Empire)

3. Mr Roger. A. Agana (News Ghana)

4. Ms Bridget .B. Agbenyor (Bridge TV)

Oil & Gas

1. Dr Kofi Amoa-Abban (Rigworld International Services Ltd)

Pensions

1. Mr Sena Nyame (Old Mutual Pensions Trust)

2. Dr Edem Bart Williams (ESA Pensions Trust Limited)

3. Dr Nii Kotei Dzani (Ideal Pensions Trust)

4. Mr Bernard Osei Tutu (Dusk Capital)

5. Mr Richmond Kwame Frimpong (The BEIGE Pensions trust)

Philanthropy & Non Profit

1. Mr Benjamin Boakye (Africa Centre for Energy Policy)

2. Ms Caritas Aryee (Tatas and Friends Foundation Accra)

3. Dr Nii Kotei Dzani (Groupe Ideal)

4. Ms Deborah Oduro (Dynamic United Stars Africa Foundation)

5. Dr Raphael Nyarkotey Obu (Men's Health Foundation Ghana/Cancer Voices)

6. Mr Emmanuel Marfo (Global Alliance for Development Foundation & Africa)

7. Mr Prince William Oduro (African Rights Initiative International)

8. Mr Maxwell Amoah (ICF International)

9. Mr Solomon Boateng (Heart for Children Foundation Ghana)

10. Mr Peter Akai Anum (The Head of State Award Scheme)

11. Ms Akosua Ntiriwaa Anti (Young People's Initiative Ghana)

12. Ms Akosua Asuman-Adu (Treasure Kids Foundation)

Printing/Press & Publishing

1. Ms Precious Bonsu (Treasure Kids Newspaper)

2. Mr Sylvanus Bedzrah (Mini-Star Series Publications)

Real Estate & Development

1. Mr Bright Owusu- Amofah (Appolonia City)

2. Mr Ebenezer Saka Addo-Mensah (Saka Homes Limited)

3. Mr Joseph Seth Aidoo (Devtraco Plus)

4. Mr Patrick Mensah Nartey (PMN Company Ltd)

5. Mr Nana Kwame Bediako (Wonda World & Petronia City Development Ltd)

Safety & Security

1. Mr Paul Eddy Quartey (Edern Security Services Limited)

2. Dr Kofi Amoa- Abban (Rigworld Security Services Ltd)

Sales & Marketing/ Advertising/ Communications

1. Mr Clarence Amoatey (Touchpoint Magna Carta)

2. Mr Cyril Gockel (Pulse Creatives/ Mix Down Studios Limited)

3. Mr Richmond Anim Damoah (RAD Communications Limited)

4. Mr Gabriel Nti Appiah (BTL Africa)

5. Mr Jesse Odei (Salesnetwork)

Shipping and Maritime

1. Mr Isaac Amoako-Mensah (Classic Amodel Ghana Limited)

2. Mr Richard Nana Amoako (Freight Masters Shipping Agency Ltd)

3. Mr Alex Atakorah (Amaris Terminal Ltd)

Social Enterprise

1. Dr Jacob Paarechuga Anankware (AnePaare Farms)

2. Mr John Armah (Orios Group)

3. Mr Michael Ahwireng (Ahnd & Co Ltd)

4. Mr Kingsley Kwaku Pinkrah (Community and Entrepreneurial Development Initiative)

5. Mr Peter Paul Ananko (Kente Master)

6. Mr Paul Akrofie (Real Peoples Company)

Sports

1. Mr Yaw Amponsah (Phar Rangers FC)

2. Mr Gideon Fiifi Nyamekye (KICK GH)

Technology & Innovation

1. Mr Alain Gbeasor (Mobex)

2. Mr Chris-Samson Andoh (TechFin Innovations Limited)

3. Mr Daniel Osafo (CAPP LTD - Pisen Ghana)

4. Mr Seneadza Jefferson (Tech Nation Ghana Company Limited)

5. Mr Victor Adepoju (Beautiful Feet Cab Service)

6. Mr Abdul-Jawal Mumin (Tiyumba Ghana)

7. Mr Tsonam .C. Akpeloo (Techcom Visions ltd)

8. Mr Nicholas Bortey (Liranz Limited)

Theatre & Arts

1. Mr Abdul Moomen Muslim (Bambu Center)

2. Mr Daniel Attoh (Kasa Entertainment)

3. Mr Eric Percy Danso (Echoes Production, Sequels Ghana Company Limited)

4. Mr Latif Abubakar (Globe Productions)

5. Mr Nii Commey (Laugh for Lives Africa)

6. Mr Waheed Musah (Goka)

Transport & Automotive

1. Mr Abubakar Ali (Number One Technology and Driving Academy)

2. Mr Victor Adepoju (Beautiful Feet Cab Service)

Travel & Tourism

1. Mr Joseph Asemeni Obiri (Lionize Tourism Consult)

Telecom & Mobile

1. Mr Daniel Osafo (CAPP LTD-Pisen Ghana)

The Dinner and Awards is slated for 29th September 2017 at Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel