GPA Awards: Celebrating Shinning Black Stars

London, England Aug 09, 2006 --- Ghana’s excellent performance at the world cup this summer was resonated once again at The 6th Annual GPA Awards held on 1st July 2006 at The New Connaught Rooms in Covent Garden. The plush and upmarket setting for this event, which profiles and showcases the cream of Professionals and business people in Ghanaian community globally, was truly a night to be remembered. With the theme ‘Harnessing the Power of ‘3’, the organisers aim to harness the Professional, Entrepreneurial and Financial skills of its professional and business base to contribute positively to the motherland - Ghana. In previous awards the emphasis had been to showcase talent. This year, the emphasis was to encourage participants to give back to Ghana through their various skills.

GPA Founder, Emelia Bartels challenged the participants to another level and said “Our next major challenge is to transform both our business and also the business of Ghana. We believe our responsibilities go beyond the ordinary definition. We must continue to invest in the people of Ghana both at home and abroad. We must use every opportunity to harness our skills and resources for the betterment of all both individually and more importantly collectively”.

The event kicked off with the “Africa Live Cocktail” with guests treated to Live African music and dancing by the Osagyefo Theatre Group and some delicious African cocktails. The networking was infectious as one observed groups and couples busy networking and exchanging cards in such a pliable atmosphere. This was every net-workers dream. Host Charles Buckman announced the call to dinner and as guests streamed to the prestigious Grand Hall one could not miss the attention and proclivity for detail with the theming of the room in the Ghana national colours and the boldly set staging in red and gold. With the national anthem played and opening prayer out of the way, within minutes guests were seated and treated to a sumptuous three course meal of prawns, salmon and deserts with a background of cool saxophone music really fit for a king. It was really a night of seafood and class.

In his keynote speech Hon Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Ghana's Minister for Tourism, praised the participants and nominees for their achievements and challenged them to transfer and invest their achievements in their motherland - Ghana. He encouraged guests to participate in the Launch of the ‘Joseph Project’ and Ghana’s 50th anniversary celebrations next year by going to Ghana and contributing positively to towards the celebrations. Other special guests included Mr Kwesi Abeasi CEO for the African Business Roundtable (ABR), Dr Ekwow Spio Garbrah - CEO of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO), Brent MP Dawn Butler, Rhian Benson - R & B Singer & Song writer, Mr Bernard Ribiero CBE, President of the Royal College of Surgeons, Professor Felix Konotey-Ahulu of the Harley street and Cromwell hospitals, Dr Yvonne Thompson CBE, President and Founder European Federation of Black Women Business Owners (EFBWBO).

A Professional Achievement

With the speeches out of the way and bellies full, the anticipation and suspense in the room was tangible as comperes Henry Bonsu and Savannah Nightingale took to the stage to announce the awards.

Notable award winners were Korieh Duodu, Barrister and Advocate at David Price Associates for Law, Mr Nii Adjeidu Armar Consultant Gynaecologist at the Cromwell Fertility Centre in the Central Middlesex Hospital for the medical award. Young and talented creative director, Nana Yaa Fosu of Ment2Excel for the Fashion and Beauty, Dr William Derben, Financial Inclusion Manager at Barclays Corporate Affairs for Banking & Finance. Yvonne Headley MD of Xtreme Care Recruitment Ltd for the Entrepreneur Award. BBC Radio One Xtra producer, Bernard Asante Acheampong received the Entertainment award. Other nominees for this category were award winning DJ, Manny Nortey and Film producer Julius Amedume. Dr Ed Yeboah CEO of Proactive Capital for Business Innovator, Baffour Ankomah Editor of New African Magazine for the Communication & Media Category, Dr Mark Ankrah of Pinnacle Housing Foundation, for The Religion & Social Care award and Kwame Acheampong Founder of the Ghana Ski Team and winter Olympics contestant for the Sports award.

Special Awards

Other special award winners include Mawuli Ladzekpo 18 year student & journalist from Oxford University for the Young Creative Star Award, Dr Clement Osei for the Innovation, Dedication & Excellence Award, Unilever Ghana for the Corporate Champion Award, Betsy Odame Larbi, Abba Foods, for the Business class award. The Essex Fertility Clinic received the Outstanding Contributor award for non-Ghanaians and Princess Asie Ocansey Nikotech Centre For Excellence in Ada Ghana for the GPA International award. The GPA Persons of the Year went to HE Mr & Mrs Isaac Osei Former High commissioner to the UK and now CEO of Ghana Cocoa Board for their dedicated service and significant contribution to the Ghana UK Community.

A Professional Entertainment

Guests were entertained by an exquisite fashion by Grand Master of Haute Couture Kosibah Creations, African drumming & Dancing by Osagyefo Cultural Troop and Ben Brako Singer and Songwriter. Sponsors of the event include Ghana International Bank, Cockspur Rum, Excell Consultancy Ltd, Haringey Business Development Agency (HBDA), Ghana Cocoa Board, OBE TV, Rah Shipping, Rubicon and Unity Link Finance. Media Partners Include the New African, GFM Radio, Rainbow Radio, Sankofa Magazine, Aspire Magazine and African Business. GPA 2006 promised to be a night to remember and surely guests were not disappointed as it was truly a night to talk about for months if not years to come.