The Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) has announced plans to place innovation and artificial intelligence (AI) adoption at the heart of its 2026 Business Awards as it seeks to encourage Ghanaian companies to embrace digital transformation and remain globally competitive.
The move reflects the Chamber’s growing emphasis on technology-driven business growth and sustainability amid rapid changes in the global economic landscape.
Speaking at the launch of the 2026 GNCCI Business Awards in Accra, Mr. Prince Ackuaku, Chairperson of the Awards Planning Committee, said the awards scheme would recognise organisations that leverage innovation and emerging technologies to improve performance, productivity and long-term resilience.
The event was launched under the theme, “Shaping a Resilient Future: The Role of Sustainability and AI in Business.”
According to Mr. Ackuaku, businesses can no longer rely solely on traditional operating models, as technological advancement continues to redefine competitiveness across industries.
“One of our key criteria is how innovation and technology are driving businesses. Today, business is no longer about the usual methods; it is being driven by technology,” he said.
He noted that artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming an essential tool for businesses in sectors such as finance, insurance, logistics and customer service, with wider applications expected in manufacturing, agriculture and other productive industries.
The Chamber believes early adoption of AI technologies will help businesses improve efficiency, lower operating costs and increase profitability while strengthening their ability to compete in regional and international markets.
“AI is the tool for development now. In the next two to four years, it will drive the economy. The earlier businesses adopt it, the better it will be for them,” Mr. Ackuaku stated.
The GNCCI Business Awards has evolved into one of Ghana’s leading platforms for recognising excellence across various sectors, including agribusiness, manufacturing, telecommunications, logistics and financial services.
The 2026 edition, scheduled for November 21, 2026, is expected to attract wider participation as businesses increasingly invest in digital technologies and innovation-led growth strategies.
Also speaking at the launch, Mr. Mark Badu-Aboagye, Chief Executive Officer of GNCCI, said the awards scheme would continue to evolve in response to changing global business trends.
He explained that the Chamber remains committed to celebrating organisations that demonstrate excellence in innovation, technology adoption and sustainable business practices.
“The objective is to reward outstanding achievement in innovation, best practices and the use of technology, while inspiring the entrepreneurial spirit in Ghana,” he said.
Mr. Badu-Aboagye noted that since its inception in 2017, the awards programme has recognised businesses that have made significant contributions to economic transformation, job creation and national development.
He disclosed that the 2026 edition would introduce an enhanced assessment process that relies more heavily on research-based data and independent evaluations to identify top-performing companies.
The revised approach, he said, would reduce dependence on self-nomination and strengthen the credibility and transparency of the selection process.
Under the evaluation framework, businesses will be assessed on several key indicators, including innovation, adoption of technology, corporate social responsibility, tax compliance, employment generation and overall business performance.
The GNCCI expects the renewed focus on sustainability and AI to encourage more businesses to invest in digital solutions that improve operational efficiency and resilience while supporting Ghana’s broader economic transformation agenda.
Industry observers say the growing integration of AI into business operations presents significant opportunities for Ghanaian enterprises to increase productivity, access new markets and remain competitive in an increasingly digital global economy.
