The Chief Executive Officer of MGA Consulting Ghana Limited, Michael Abbiw, has called for sales professionals to be placed at the heart of Ghana’s push for a 24-hour economy, arguing that no national policy can succeed without the people responsible for generating revenue.

He made the call at the launch of the National Sales Leaders Conference (NSLC) and Awards 2026, a platform designed to strengthen the capacity of sales professionals and reward excellence in the field.

According to him, Ghana’s ambitions for export expansion, industrial growth and improved productivity will remain constrained if the country does not invest in building a more capable sales workforce

Describing salespeople as “the backbone of the country’s commercial sector,” Mr Abbiw stressed that their role is central to Ghana’s economy.

“Sales professionals are the engines behind these businesses that will drive the 24-hour economy because no business can operate beyond daylight if it cannot generate the revenue, market demand or customer traction required to sustain extended operations,” he said.

Despite their pivotal role, Mr Abbiw noted that the contribution of sales professionals is often underestimated or not given the recognition they deserve, adding that salespeople consistently serve as the “frontline engine” navigating market shifts, winning customers, and sustaining businesses.

The National Sales Leaders Conference 2026 has been scheduled for June 17 to 18, 2026, under the theme, “Redefining Sales Excellence for Today’s Dynamic Market.”

A major highlight of the launch was the unveiling of the National Sales Awards, which will be held immediately after the conference.

The ceremony, billed for June 19, 2026, at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel, formed part of the official relaunch of the NSLC and its 2026 edition.

The Awards aim to recognise exceptional sales performance and celebrate professionals who continue to show excellence, resilience and innovation in Ghana’s increasingly competitive marketplace.

The Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) threw its support behind the conference, describing NSLC as a vital platform that directly influences business performance and competitiveness.

In a statement, the National Treasurer of the chamber, Mr Kabutey Caesar, urged its members, including manufacturers, SMEs and exporters, to participate actively, noting that strong sales structures are becoming increasingly essential to business survival.

“Across industries, one thing is clear: businesses that survive today’s economic pressures are those that invest in skilled, disciplined and forward-thinking sales teams,” he said.

“For this reason, the Chamber sees the NSLC not just as another gathering, but as one of the few national platforms directly strengthening business competitiveness and revenue performance”, he noted.

The General Manager for CorEvents Solutions, Clarus Kwofie, called on all corporate and government institutions to partner, exhibit and support the 2026 edition, emphasising that the NSLC has evolved from a conference into a national platform committed to raising the standard of sales leadership.