Nominations have officially opened for the Ghana Development Awards (GDA) 2026, a prestigious national initiative recognising exceptional individuals, institutions, and development partners driving Ghana’s socio-economic transformation. Scheduled for Thursday, 5th March 2026, the third edition of the event will take place at the Plush La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra under the theme “Celebrating Excellence in Nation-Building and Economic Recovery.”
Organised by The Business Executive Media Group, the awards programme celebrates forward-thinking changemakers who have significantly advanced Ghana’s progress particularly between 2020 and 2025, when the nation navigated the aftermath of COVID-19, fiscal pressures, and fluctuating global economic conditions.
The honours seek not only to reward excellence, but also to inspire broader national commitment to sustainable development.
The awards spotlight public institutions, private enterprises, community actors, and international development partners whose interventions have enhanced economic stability, social progress, governance, innovation, and inclusive growth. While contributions since the beginning of the 4th Republic are acknowledged, emphasis is on recent efforts that have supported Ghana’s economic rebound, policy reforms, job creation, investment attraction, and social welfare improvement.
The Business Executive Media Group, niche and renowned for its leadership in publishing, events, advocacy, and enterprise promotion hosts the initiative as part of its broader mission to advance African development narratives. With headquarters in Accra and operations in Nigeria, Dubai, South Africa, the UK, Spain, the USA, Canada and the Cayman Islands, the Group manages some of the continent’s most respected business events and award platforms. Its flagship publication, The Business Executive Magazine, is distributed across Africa through partnerships with FEWACCI and the African Chamber of Trade (ACT).
This year’s nominees will undergo a rigorous assessment using a 1,000-point scoring model that evaluates development impact, strategic investment, policy advocacy, collaboration, sustainability, and commitment to national priorities. The multi-stage process involves public nominations, verification, evaluation by independent consultants, and a final adjudication by a distinguished jury. The organisers emphasise that the system ensures integrity, transparency, and credibility at every stage.
The 2026 ceremony is expected to gather an influential assembly of government officials, captains of industry, diplomats, development financiers, traditional authorities, civil society leaders, and international partners. It will also serve as a platform for high-level networking and collaboration in a relaxed gala atmosphere. Guests are expected to attend in corporate or elegant African traditional attire, with proceedings beginning at 5 p.m.
Awardees may select from Platinum, Gold, and Bronze participation packages, each offering varying levels of visibility, branding, media exposure, networking privileges, and exclusive documentary features. Benefits range from personal event documentaries and on-screen branding to strategic partnership opportunities, investment access, live streaming exposure, and dinner for accompanying guests.
With more than 120,000 participants engaged across previous TBE events, the Ghana Development Awards continue to cement their reputation as one of the nation’s most credible platforms for recognising and empowering development-focused leadership.
Nominations remain open, and eligible institutions and individuals are encouraged to submit their entries through the official portal at www.gda.thebusinessexecutive.net or contact the Secretariat via eventssecretariat.tbe@gmail.com or +233 26 575 1424 / 0272 682 333 / 0276 926 978
Author: Edem Latsu Nukafu
Edem Latsu Nukafu, a passionate communications professional dedicated to public relations, journalism, media strategy, and content development. He holds both a Diploma and Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Studies (Public Relations) from the University of Media, Arts and Communication – UniMAC-IJ. A member of Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).
