The Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana (CIMG) has warned against illegitimate award schemes by unauthorized bodies in recognition of marketing practitioners in the country.

In his speech at the 31^st CIMG Marketing Performance Award on Saturday, November 14, the National President of CIMG, Dr. Daniel Kasser Tee, noted with grave concern the activities of these unlicensed entities.

"The CIMG has noted with great disappointment and concern the manner in which unauthorized bodies have in the past organized their own set of awards to recognize marketing practitioners in this country."

According to Dr. Kasser Tee, regulating the standards and practices of Ghanaian marketers is the sole preserve of CIMG.

"We wish to bring to the attention of such bodies that with the passage of the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana Law, they require the express approval of the CIMG as the sole professional body mandated by law to set standards and regulate marketing practice before conducting such awards," he said.

He explained that by law, regulating these marketing practices and conducting award schemes requires the authorization of "CIMG or its approved agents who must be corporate members of CIMG, with Chartered Marketers at the helm in their various organisations".

Dr. Kasser Tee also cautioned potential awardees of illegitimate schemes to always conduct due diligence before accepting honours from these unauthorized organisations, as anything short of this will be damaging their image and hard-won reputation.

In addition, the CIMG President encouraged marketing practitioners and potential awardees to contact its directorate to ascertain the veracity of any award scheme.

The 31^st CIMG Marketing Performance Award Ceremony was held at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, under the theme "Marketing in a Disruptive Era".

The CIMG Awards has been in existence since 1989 and is meant to celebrate captains of industries and experts across various sectors of the Ghanaian economy.

The event honours businesses and institutions whose performance impacts positively on society and the world at large.