Ghanaian Canadian Awards Nite Celebrated

The Famee Furlane Banquet Hall in Toronto was on September 2, 2006 filled with about 350 celebrants among whom 32 were honored for their outstanding contributions to the Ghanaian community in Canada, to our motherland Ghana, and to the Canadian society as a whole. Fields of endeavor and areas of achievements recognized at the celebration included academics, business, professionalism, technical innovation, sports, cultural promotion, community service and youth.

The guest speaker for the function was the Chief of Police for the York Region, Armand P. La Barge. He used the occasion to commend Ghana’s Black Stars for the wonderful performance at this year’s world cup tournament held in Germany. He added, “Ghana’s place on the world cup stage is long overdue when you consider that Ghana won four times the African cup of nations and for twice the junior under-17 world cup.” The Chief of Police described the current Black Star team under the captainship of Stephen Appiah as disciplined and well groomed.

The guest speaker moved on to praise Ghana for the significant strides it has made towards nation building since its independence in 1957. He identified Ghana’s education system and the stable economic foundation as well as democratic process and contributions of arts and music as remarkable achievements in the sub-Saharan Africa. Chief La Barge congratulated the awards recipients and the organizing committee for all their handwork.

Speaking for the first time in public shortly after assuming office in Canada as Ghana’s High Commissioner-Designate, H.E. Dr. (Mrs.) Margaret Ivy Amoakohene used the occasion to express her deepest and personal commitment to the ceremony because of what the awards represent and symbolize. She expressed her delight and that of Ghana’s Mission in Canada at the fact that awards recipients were chosen not only for excellence in the fields of endeavor but also for their ability to consistently maintain the high standards of achievement they have already attained to inspire others, particularly the youth. She also took note of some of the award recipients who are not Ghanaian but are honored (special awards) for their love for Ghana and said, “it is only Ghanaians who are honored this night but also people who love Ghana so much that they have Ghana on their corporate agenda”.

H.E. Dr. (Mrs.) Amoakohene admonished all Ghanaians in Canada to be true ambassadors of Ghana wherever they are in Canada.

Earlier, Emmanuel Ayiku, publisher/Editor of the Ghanaian News-organizers of the Awards Nite – in his welcome address regretted the unfortunate trend whereby immigrant are seen in Canada as just parasites who only take away from Canadian society. He pointed out that “we need to send a powerful message to mainstream Canadian society that we contribute effectively to the development of this mosaic society”

The popular Ghanaian Canadian musician based in Toronto, Kwesi Salaise entertained the celebrants with his captivating reggae music.

M.C.s for the function were Dr. Michael Baffoe f Winnipeg and young Rita Nketia and Billy Debrah-Grant (both university students)

The award recipients were as follow:

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Matehew Boah, Felicia Botchway, Theo Tibo, Charles Kankam, Stephen Tackie, George Kyei Twumasi, Rev. Daniel Addai Smith, Yvonne Appiah, Benjamin Osei, Torgbui Dunyo IV

COMMUNITY BUSINESS

Joseph Annan, Kofi Allcut, Joe Anokye & Cecilia Nyarko Kingsley and Mercy Kwarteng Amaning, Bismarck Bright, Kwadwo Atuahene

CULTURAL PROMOTION

Adwoa & Fule Badoe, Isaac Akrong

CONTEMPORARY MUSIC

Peter Oppong (Paa Joe)

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Lawrence Twumasi, Stephen Wiredu, Serwaa Sarfo, Dorothy Yeboah

SPORTS

Richard Karkari, Rans Brempong, Flings Owusu Agyapong

GOSPEL MUSIC

Monica Boakye Agyemang

SPECIAL AWARD

Kay Morris, David Singh, Marjareen Ratel

NATIONAL HONOUR

Dr. Doris Kyeremateng

POSTHUMOUS

The Late Nana Kwaku Agyemang

TECHNICAL INNOVATION

Dr. Joseph E. Dadson

RELIGION

Ghana Presbyterian Church of Toronto