The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), Ms. Margaret Ansei, together with the Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, has officially launched U-SPARK, a groundbreaking digital technology sponsored by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and funded by the Government of Japan, at the 2nd Ghana National Kaizen Awards (GNKA).
The U-SPARK tool is designed to minimize waste in manufacturing while boosting productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness across Ghanaian businesses. The technology, developed with support from partners including the Embassy of Japan, JICA, and MDPI, has already been piloted in six companies. All six enterprises were recognized at this year’s Kaizen Awards for their commitment to continuous improvement.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ms. Margaret Ansei highlighted the transformative potential of the U-SPARK tool for Ghana’s private sector. “This technology is not just about efficiency; it is about strengthening our enterprises for local and international competitiveness. With U-SPARK, we are equipping our businesses with the mindset and tools needed to drive sustainable growth,” she said.
The GEA boss also reflected on her personal experience as a Municipal Chief Executive in Suhum, recalling how small, incremental improvements under resource constraints yielded significant long-term results. “That was Kaizen in practice – not a theory in a textbook, but a philosophy alive in public service,” she noted.
Ms. Ansei further tied the Kaizen philosophy to President John Dramani Mahama’s 24-hour economy vision, describing Kaizen and tools like U-SPARK as “practical enablers of innovation, resilience, and productivity.”
She also celebrated Ghana’s growing reputation in Africa’s Kaizen landscape, citing past award winners such as Francis Aluminium, Tiwajo Enterprise, and Solution Oasis. “These achievements demonstrate a simple truth: our enterprises are not merely competing locally, they are setting benchmarks for Africa,” she emphasized.
For his part, the Japanese Ambassador praised Ghanaian enterprises for their resilience and expressed his government’s continued commitment to supporting Ghana’s industrial transformation. UNIDO representatives also assured businesses of technical assistance in adopting the U-SPARK tool nationwide.
Looking to the future, Ms. Ansei reaffirmed GEA’s dedication to nurturing “model Kaizen enterprises in every region of the country,” noting that such efforts would create jobs, strengthen the economy, and enhance Ghana’s standing in global markets.
“Continuous improvement is not optional – it is the very path to excellence,” she concluded, commending this year’s finalists and encouraging all Ghanaian businesses to embrace the Kaizen journey with renewed commitment.
