The Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the Management Development and Productivity Institute (MDPI), has held the 2025 edition of the Ghana National Kaizen Awards (GNKA) in Accra.
This year’s ceremony was themed “Africa Industrialization through Fostering Competitive Firms and Value Chains in Ghana.”
Kaizen and Ghana’s Development Agenda
Addressing participants, JICA’s Chief Representative, Suzuki Momoko, underscored Kaizen as a people-centred approach that promotes ownership, engagement, and autonomous growth among employees—values that align with the government’s 24-Hour Economy Programme.
She highlighted the awards as a platform for knowledge exchange: “GNKA connects experienced Kaizen companies with newcomers, encouraging learning, sharing and motivation.”
A press release issued by JICA’s Public Relations Advisor, John Kojo Williams, further stressed the agency’s commitment to Kaizen dissemination in Ghana. It noted that winners from this year’s awards will represent Ghana at the 6th Africa Kaizen Awards, jointly organised by JICA and AUDA-NEPAD, which showcase excellence in productivity and competitiveness across the continent.
MSMEs at the Centre
UNIDO’s National Project Coordinator, Mr. Kipo Dari, emphasised the project’s timeliness, especially in the face of global shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic.
“MSMEs play a crucial role in Ghana’s economy, driving societal development and generating employment. Through capacity building, UNIDO’s support in Ghana aims to facilitate MSME growth, market access, and international trade,” he said.
He added that UNIDO’s collaboration with JICA and GEA, including the development of a digital tool for Ghana’s manufacturing sector, demonstrates their commitment to inclusive industrialisation.
MDPI’s Professor Elijah Yendaw reinforced this point, stressing that Kaizen provides a practical pathway for Ghana to achieve industrial transformation, job creation, and global competitiveness: “As we move toward a more resilient and inclusive economy, Kaizen will continue to shape how we work, innovate, and serve.”
Expanding Kaizen in Ghana
GEA has mainstreamed Kaizen into its core operations, training over 33,478 micro and small enterprises through initiatives such as the Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works, the Ghana Jobs and Skills Project, and the Bizbox Project, alongside UNIDO partnerships.
Nominees and Recognition
Following rigorous field visits, evaluations, and performance assessments, the following enterprises were shortlisted for the 2025 GNKA:
Odina Couture (micro enterprise, garments, Adenta Lakeside Estate)
Eya Naturals (micro enterprise, hair products, Spintex Road)
Aniwasu Garment (micro enterprise, textiles, Shama)
Kofi Vinyo Ltd (micro enterprise, tiger nut powder, Sunyani)
KNUST Fruits (micro enterprise, fruit juice, Sunyani)
Amanex Ltd (medium enterprise, Accra)
Each company was recognised for its commitment to continuous improvement, productivity, and quality under the Kaizen framework.
Launch of U-SPARK Project
A key highlight of the event was the unveiling of U-SPARK (UNIDO Smart Performance Analytics for Real-time Kaizen), a digital tool developed by GEA and UNIDO with funding from the Government of Japan.
The initiative supports MSMEs by enabling real-time diagnostics, process optimisation, and value chain resilience. It forms part of the broader Expanding the Kaizen Initiative by Enhancing Sustainable Agri-business project.
GEA CEO, Ms. Margaret Ansei, explained its significance: “The U-SPARK Project is expected to serve as a catalyst for the Government of Ghana’s 24-hour economy initiative by enabling enterprises to embrace technology-driven efficiency and expand their production capacity around the clock.”
Looking Ahead
The GNKA not only celebrates outstanding achievements but also positions Ghanaian enterprises for continental recognition at the African Kaizen Awards.
The ceremony brought together policymakers, industry stakeholders, development partners, sponsors, and entrepreneurs to reaffirm Ghana’s commitment to industrialisation, competitiveness, and sustainable growth.
GEA expressed gratitude to its partners—UNIDO, JICA, MDPI—and sponsors, GCB Bank and Coconut Grove Hotel, for their support.
