REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, ACCRA -- An official of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said here Tuesday that investment in Ghanaian children by the private sector was a pre-requisite for future economic development.

Deputy Representative of UNICEF in Ghana Rushnan Murtaza said at the launch of this year's Ghana Club 100 Awards that although Ghana had made efforts in poverty reduction, with less than 30 percent of the population living below the poverty line, children still face challenges.

As many as 3.6 million children are poor and one out of every five suffers chronic malnutrition, making them perform poorly in school, said the UNICEF official.

"I am sure you will all agree with me that ensuring every Ghanaian child is fed with nutritious food, has access to quality healthcare and goes to school and is protected from abuse and exploitation, is fundamental to creating a healthier and more educated and ultimately more productive economy," Murtaza noted.

The Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC) in 1998 introduced the Ghana Club 100, which is made up of the top 100 high performing companies in Ghana from both public and private sectors. The listing, grading and awarding is carried out annually.

"The 15th edition of Ghana Club 100 Awards to be held in August 2016 will be a significant one because, as part of the special awards to be presented at the ceremony, UNICEF will reward a private sector company of the Ghana Club 100," she announced.

GIPC chief executive officer Mawuena Trebarh said the main objectives of the Ghana Club 100 included developing a database of the top 100 viable companies.

"We at the GIPC have always believed that the private sector has a lot to offer and there is the need to acknowledge their contribution and efforts.

"We therefore cherish the fact that most of the players in the sector are prepared to subject their companies to this ranking which seeks to reward and encourage high performance and transparency in doing business," the CEO stated.

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