The planning committee for the Ghana Beverage Awards (GBA) has officially announced that the GBA 2019 will be held virtually and streamed on TV and online on 13th June 2020.
This, the GBA, said was in view of the Coronavirus outbreak, which has created the need for people to observe health protocols, including social distancing, in a bid to contain the spread of the disease.
The beverage awards which is in its fourth year, closed nominations to the general public and all beverage companies in February this year.
Under the theme, ‘Inspiring excellence in Ghana’s beverage industry’ the awards aim to promote both local and foreign beverages as well as the participation of small-scale beverage enterprises in Ghana.
Speaking on the new adjustments, the Chief Executive Officer of Global Media Alliance (GMA), Mr Ernest Boateng said, “We have all been advised by the President to adhere to all the social distancing protocols and other directives which will help us to control the spread of COVID-19.”
“As an organisation, we have found a way to go ahead to celebrate excellence in the beverage industry while adhering to all the recommended directives without endangering lives; this is why we have decided to organise the awards virtually,” he explained.
Mr Boateng assured patrons of the awards that, “The virtual awards will still maintain the world-class standard our patrons and stakeholders are used to without losing the prominence and prestige associated with it.”
He said the public was allowed to vote for the ultimate award of the year which is the Product of the Year between 2nd March and 20th March 2020.
In a lead-up to this year’s awards, Mr Boateng said a beverage industry tour was organised for the GBA board to visit nominated companies to familiarise with their work and practices, and said, “This initiative is one of the new activities which was introduced in the build-up to the 2019 Awards Night.”
Mr Boateng said GBA this year had introduced two new categories to the awards, namely Local Beverage Advertisement of the Year and International Liqueur of the Year.
The addition of the new categories, he said was to acknowledge feedback from stakeholders, particularly consumers who have been instrumental in the nominations phase. The Local Beverage Advert of the Year Award goes to the brand in the year under review that is enjoying massive public appeal with its creative publicity.
The Ghana Beverage Awards is organised by Global Media Alliance and supported by partners such as the Food Research Institute (FRI) under CSIR, Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Consumer Protection Agency and the Food and Beverage Association of Ghana (FABAG).
BY TIMES REPORTER
