HR Focus has successfully organized the HR Focus Conference and Awards 2017. The event took place at the College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Banquet Hall – Statehouse on the 12th and 13th of October respectively.

The Conference and Awards saw various industry players, stakeholders, and students come together to deliberate on issues affecting the world of work, inspire innovation and ingenuity, and to award excellence in HR practice.

The HR Focus Conference and Awards 2017 comprised the Websoft Solutions HR Forum, Career Development Session and Business Challenge, and the HR Focus Awards, alongside corporate exhibitions.

Websoft Solutions HR Forum and Speakers

The Websoft Solutions HR Forum brought together over 400 corporate executives and professionals to discuss issues in the world of work around the theme: “The Future of HR; Talent and Culture.”

In her welcome address, the Chief Executive of L’AINE Services, Dr. Mrs. Ellen Hagan, said that it was refreshing to see HR practitioners gather and ready to cause a change in their respective organisations. “It sends a clear signal that HR practice has a future and we are ready to take it,” she added.

The Conference saw both local and international speakers leading on various topics:

The first speaker, Kobina Ata-Bedu, CEO of United Wealth Limited, addressed the professionals gathered on the topic, “Wealth Management, Getting the Best from your Talent.” He spoke on the need to place value on talent in order to generate value.

The second speaker, Taaka Awori, Managing Director of Busara Africa, addressed the topic “Shifting Organisational Culture through Innovative HR Leadership” and spoke about the key role an organisation’s culture plays in advancing the institution into its desired vision for the future.

The third speaker, Anne-Magriet Schoeman, Country lead of Mercer Consulting, gave a thought-provoking presentation on the topic: “HR in a Globally-Diverse Workforce and Technologically Savvy Employees.” She positioned the minds of professionals on being forward-thinkers and to embrace new trends in order to remain relevant in the world of work. These discussions yielded a fruitful and interactive open-forum discussion between participants.

To get full presentation of speakers, visit hrfocusconference.com

Career Development Session

The Career Development session, which sought to equip students, job seekers and young business executives with the necessary tools for career advancement had engaging speeches from Rev. Celia Apeagyei-Collins, Founder of Rehoboth Foundation and Mr. Michael Adjei-Djan, CEO of African Concrete Products.

Rev. Apeagyei-Collins challenged students to think solutions and not problem. She presented on the topic, “Self-Leadership – The Winning Factor,” while Mr. Adjei-Djan took students through ways of “Building Your Employability.” Their speeches incited participants to move beyond their scope and improve themselves to be of higher value to institutions.

The Career Development session ended with the HR Focus Business Challenge, which saw participants from Wisconsin University College, University of Professional Studies (UPSA), Pentecost University College, and University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) competing for first place. The challenge presented a business challenge to the schools and respective teams were to storm, norm, form and present their solutions to a live audience. Judges then adjudicated and gave a few pointers to help the students in their individual career exploits.

In the end, Pentecost University College emerged winner of the Business Challenge, proving their entrepreneurial and strategic prowess. University of Professional Studies came up as 1st runner up, Wisconsin University College as 2nd runner up, and University of Ghana Business School placed 4th.

HR Focus Corporate Exhibitions

During the Websoft HR Forum and the Career Development Session, organisations had the opportunity to exhibit their products and services to the participants of the HR Focus Conference 2017. Exhibiting organisations included Tonaton, Mercer Consulting, Ozone, HR Breeze by Websoft Solutions, and Kasapreko. A total of 24 organisations exhibited during the event.

HR Focus Awards 2017

The HR Focus Awards 2017 crowned the Conference with a grand and classy celebration at the Banquet Hall on 13th October 2017. This year’s events meted out 22 prestigious awards across all industries, and two honorary awards.

In a speech at the awards, Mr. Kwesi Agyeman Busia, the Chief Executive of DVLA said, “HR is the transition point for vetting and screening and a most consequential pipeline for talent and skills identification and marketing.” He added that the real value in HR transformation is not in digitization tools or the internet of things but in leveraging this network to foster a community of people who are full of ideas, empowered and inspired.

Mr. Agyeman Busia challenged award winners to see their win as a commission to work harder, and to find and groom talent.

Also in attendance was the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Mr. Ignatius Baffour Awuah who presented the Leadership in Quality Management Systems and Leadership in Industrial Relations to Mrs. Gauri Bhagwat, and Opanin Patrick Obeng-Fosu respectively.

At the end of the night, MTN Ghana emerged the “Overall Best Company in HR Management” in Ghana, with Mrs. Amma Benneh-Amponsah of MTN Ghana taking home the award for HR Practitioner of the Year.

Below is the list of award winners of the HR Focus Awards 2017.

HR Management in Financial Services – Fidelity Bank

Best HR Management in Hospitality – Accra City Hotel

Best HR Management in Energy & Natural Resources – Tullow Oil

Best HR Management in Telecommunication and IT – MTN Ghana

Best HR Management in the SME Sector – Herbalife

Best Organization in Learning & Development – Vodafone Ghana

Best Organization in Employee Relations – Vodafone Ghana

Best Organization in Rewards Management – Barclays Bank

Best Organization in Performance Management – Airtel Ghana

Best Organization in Recruitment & Selection – Vodafone Ghana

Best Organization in HR Information Systems – MTN Ghana

Best Organization in Organizational Culture – MTN Ghana

Employer of Choice – MTN Ghana

Most Promising Organization in HR Practice – Amaris Terminal

Promising HR Management in the Public Sector – Food & Drugs Authority

Promising HR Management in the Finance Sector – Omni Bank

Promising HR Management in the Healthcare Sector – Lister Hospital

Promising Organization in HR Information Systems – Genser Energy

Promising Organization in Recruitment & Selection – Old Mutual

Promising Organization in Performance Management – Expro Gulf

The HR Focus conference and Awards 2017 was proudly sponsored by Websoft Solutions, The First Group, Mercer, British Council, GCB, Barclays, Unibank, United Wealth, Interactive HRM. Other sponsors include: Starlife, Bond Financial Services, TXT Ghana, Focus Digital, L’AINE services, Ozone, Crystal Oasis, Awake Mineral Water, Zoomlion, Mido Production, ACP, and Ecobank. Media partners included: TV3, Daily Graphic, Ghana Web, 3fm, Citifm.