Abena Amoah and Salem Kalmouni win CIMG top marketing honours

The Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana (CIMG) has named Abena Amoah, Managing Director of the Ghana Stock Exchange, and Salem Kalmouni, Group CEO of Japan Motors, as the Marketing Woman and Marketing Man of the Year, respectively. The honours were conferred during the 37th Annual National Marketing Performance Awards held at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra on October 17, 2026. Under the theme "Brand Ghana Reimagined: Trust, Innovation and Growth in the AI Economy," the ceremony celebrated excellence across 56 categories, highlighting the critical role of strategic marketing in driving national economic development.

Several corporate entities secured major recognitions alongside the individual winners. Ecobank Ghana was named the Overall Marketing-Oriented Organisation, while OmniBSIC Bank Ghana took home the Bank of the Year award. Wilmar Africa Limited enjoyed a double victory, being crowned Manufacturing Company of the Year and receiving the Product of the Year award for its flagship vegetable oil brand, Frytol. Additionally, Adansi Travels achieved a significant milestone by being inducted into the CIMG Hall of Fame after winning the Marketing-Oriented Hospitality Facility award for the fourth consecutive year. Other individual accolades included Mavis Frempong as Marketing Practitioner of the Year and Thomasina Tettey as Marketing Student of the Year.

Professor Stephen Adei, speaking at the event, emphasised that quality, integrity, and trust must remain the foundation of Ghanaian brands as they navigate an increasingly technology-driven global economy. He urged marketing practitioners to develop competitive solutions that enhance Ghana’s reputation through reliable service delivery. CIMG President Michael Abbiw echoed these sentiments, advising businesses that while adopting artificial intelligence is essential for growth, maintaining customer trust remains a strategic priority that cannot be replaced by automation.

The annual awards ceremony served as a platform to acknowledge marketing as a strategic investment rather than a mere corporate expense. The recognition of Abena Amoah and Salem Kalmouni highlighted their leadership in the financial and automotive sectors. Ms. Amoah was cited for her transformative marketing efforts at the stock exchange, while Mr. Kalmouni was honoured for his business leadership and contributions to the industry prior to his departure from Japan Motors in mid-2026. Together, the awardees represent the standard of excellence required to sustain growth in Ghana's evolving business landscape.