The Launching of 2012 London Based GUBA Awards

The Launch of the Ghana UK Based Achievement (GUBA) Awards 2012 was a night of humour, humility and Ghanaian pride.  The 3rd Annual Launch of GUBA Awards 2012 was hosted by Mr Henry Bonsu, as guests were treated to a preview of what to expect at the Annual GUBA Awards scheduled for the 10th of November 2012 at the Park Plaza hotel.

A host of media personnel and public figures which includes GUBA patrons Hugh Quarshie and Team GB sprinter Jeanette Kwakye were in attendance to witness the unveiling of the 2012 nominees. Also at the launch were prestigious dignitaries, from his Excellency Prof Kweku Danso Boafo the Ghana High Commissioner to the UK, through plus size model Philomena Kwao to the brainiest student achiever Gillian Appau, an Oxford Student whose minimum grade ever is an A!

Opening the evening, GUBA’s CEO and founder Dentaa in her speech, congratulated all the nominees and stated that ‘All nominees are winners’.  She also emphasized the need for sponsorship and support to keep the organization alive.

Prof Kweku Danso Boafo’s love and dedication to Ghana and his support for GUBA did not go unnoticed. Mr Charles Thompson MBE read a citation followed by a video cited by Lord Paul Boateng before GUBA presented his Excellency with a special award, as an acknowledgement for his outstanding contribution to Ghana and his support for GUBA since its commencement.

Upon receiving his award the High Commissioner said; ‘I wish to congratulate the founder of GUBA and her team, Dentaa and we admire the efforts you've made. '

The GUBA Children’s Foundation addressed the issue of autism and its prevalence in Ghana and raised awareness of the lack of funding and recognition of autism. Plans of an Autism Trust were made public and an appeal was made to the guests for assistance in a bid to reduce the level of stigma surrounding disabilities in Ghana.

A moment of silence was observed for the late President Prof Atta Mills, a gesture which transcended to the late Ghanaian leaders and Presidents that have been present at the Ghana High Commission prior to the launch.

Nominations were read out by Mr George Ameyaw, PR for GUBA, in preparation for voting which starts on Monday 24th September 2012 on the GUBA website, www.gubaawards.co.uk.

The night was brought to an end with a speech by GUBA ambassador, Holby City actor Mr Hugh Quarshie, surrounding the question of what it means to be Ghanaian. ‘A sense of humour and humanity brings us together as a people and that is why I love Ghana’ remarked the star.  He stated that ‘it is what Ghanaians do that brings us together and not where we are from’, a sentiment which was shared by all those present and the very embodiment of the GUBA awards. He expressed gratitude for being invited to be part of such an inspirational event.

The Ghana UK Based Achievement (GUBA) Awards held an exceptional launch, one that has raised expectations for the upcoming award ceremony.

This event was fully supported by our partners; The Africa Channel, Signup International in Ghana and The Voice Newspaper.

GUBA 2012 event tickets are now available at www.gubaawards.co.uk/tickets

GUBA 2012 NOMINEES LIST

Categories have been divided into sections that represent the Ghanaian Flag (RED, GOLD, GREEN and the BLACK STAR)

RED- BUSINESS & ENTERPRISE

Ghana High Commission Award for Best Corporate Business:

• Armajaro Trading
• Diageo Africa
• Kraft Foods
• Olam International

Best Professional

• Dr Charles Easmon (Medical Director, Harley Street)
• Douglas Oppong (Angel Finance Group UK)
• Dr Felix Konotey-Aluhu (Professor of Human Genetics)
• John Blavo (Blavo & Co)

Efie Ne Fie (Home is Home)

• Gloria Buckman Yankson (Plan It Ghana)
• Godwin Edem Adorie (Praise Exports)
• Lawrence Clifford Poku Amankwah (Branch Health and Fitness Centre)
• Mary Hubert (Mary’s Virgin Coconut Oil “MVCO”)
  

GOLD- POPULAR CULTURE

Best African Fasion Designer

• Anita Quansah London – Anita Quansah
• Ashanti Lou- Louisa Osei
• House of Adjeiwaa- Abena Adjeiwaa
• Bubushiki- Emily Osei-Blavo

Best Creative Writer

• Dorothy Koomson
• John Akomfrah
• Martin Ofori-Atta
• Shirley Baah Mensah

Best Online Media

• Ameyaw Debrah
• Daily Guide
• Ghana Celebrities
• Ghanaweb
• Modern Ghana
• My Joy online
• Peace FM Online

Best Emerging Music Act

• Brie Boateng
• Daniel ‘Pacs’ Osei
• Fuse Dog ODG
• Infecta
• K’adu
• Kofi Stacks
• Mista Silver
• Stardo Karle
• Sheyi Martins
• Vibe Squad

GREEN- COMMUNITY

Best Ghanaian Event

• All White Party- VMS and Ghanaian Divas
• Anansekrom- Noble Friends
• FashionMist
• Ghana Party in the Park- Akwaaba Promotions
• Ghana’s Official 55th Independence Celebration Dance- Alordia Promotions, West Coast Promotions
• Miss Ghana UK- Akwaaba Promotions
• Ghana UK Fashion Show – Ghanaian Divas & Ghana Fashion House

Best Charity Organisation

• ADAP (African Development Association for Progress)
• AfriKids
• Health Care for Africa
• STaSS (Shika Tamaa Support Services)
• WAM (What About Me) Campaign

Rising Stars Award

• Portia Oti
• Philomena Kwao
• Nicholas ‘Supernova Dex’ Amfo
• Llyrio Boateng

GUBA Humanitarian

• James Annan (Challenging Height)
• Nana Oye Lithur (The Human Rights Advocacy Centre)
• Patrick Young (Theatre for a Change)
• Michael Baabu (safe child Ghana)

GUBA Community Champion

• Adwoa Agyemang
• Alison Naftalin
• Amma Anna Adjei
• Lorraine Wright

 

BLACK- RECOGNITION AWARDS

Best Student Achiever

• Gillian Appau

International Recognition Award

• Patrick Quarcoo (Kenya based media mogul)

Inspirational African Award

• Dr Mike Adebuga (Globacom)

Special Achievement Award

• Sam Jonah (Executive Chairman, Jonah Capital)

Special Achievement Award

• Sam Ankrah (Investment Broker)

Special Achievement Award

• Roland Agambire (Entrepreneur and owner of RLG)

Special Achievement Award

• Dennis Tawiah (Event Promotion Pioneer, CEO of Akwaaba Promotions)

Sporting Achievement

• John Mensah

Posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award

• (Shaun Campbell on behalf of) Arthur Wharton- First professional black football player and the world 100 yard record holder.

 

About Ghana UK Based Achievement (GUBA) Awards 2012

The GUBA Awards is a non-profit awards ceremony celebrating the excellent achievements of Ghanaians living in Britain and acknowledging the valuable services of UK based organizations to Ghanaians in the UK or Ghana.  GUBA Awards is in its third year and aims at extending the awards to the wider African community in the UK.