28 Ghanaian-Canadians honored in Toronto

On Sunday November 15th about 350 people, Ghanaian Community members from across Canada, Municipal, Provincial and Federal politicians, including the Minister of Science, Hon. Kirsty Duncan, police officers and diplomats including the Ghana High Commissioner in Canada, Dr. Sulley Gariba and the Ghana Consul General in Toronto Mr. John Bosco packed the elegant Clairport Place Banquet and Convention Center in Etobicoke , Toronto to participate in the 15thAnnual Ghanaian-Canadian Achievement Awards Dinner and Dance. Dubbed a “Celebration of Excellence Honoring our Community Heroes”, this year’s glittering event recognized and presented awards to 28 Ghanaian-Canadians who have excelled in various fields of endeavour in Canada and beyond.

The awards recipients were in the following categories: five awards for active and effective Community Service went to Florence (Baby) Okyir, Benard Laryea, ObaaYaa Agyeman alis VISA, Felicia Botchway and Alexander Kojo Arthur. There were five awards for Business Promotion that went to Benjamin Oppong of Extreme Quality Restoration Company Calgary, Regina Akakpo and Bismarck Bedai-Manu, alis BB of Cargo-Link International, Jacobson (Jake) Hodoh of Arrow Truck Sales, Ernestina Amponsah of J & I Beauty Supply and Pastor Isaac Amoako and Wife Alberta of Golden Gate Restaurant. Five people were also recognized for Professional Excellence. These were: Brenda Ahenkora, Eustace Orleans-Lindsay, Dr. Nana Ansong, Professor Joseph Mensah and Dr. Peter KojoQuarshie. The award for Cultural Promotion went to Esie Mensah, while the Fashion award went to Benie Bouka of Beni Boo Fashion. Three Music Awards were presented to Emmanuel Appiah-Behome, Felix Kyei Baffour and Ebenezer Amoah, two Sports Awards to Denzel Annan and Ejoba Leaticia Amihere; one Religion award to The Apostles’ Continuation Church while one Special Award was given to Sylvia Morrison.

The Star attraction of the evening’s ceremonies was in the Academic category in which a nine-year old Ashley Oppong and Tamara Twumwaa-Ofori were honoured. Master of Ceremonies, Dr. Michael Baffoe described the choice of Ashley Oppong by the Awards Committee as a process of “catching them young” and hoped that Ashley will blossom into a star in the academic field in the near future. Her award was presented by former Federal Minister and former Fairness Commissioner for the Province of Ontario, Hon. Jean Augustine.

The Key Note address which focused on the importance of community service was delivered by Dr. David Firang of the University of Windsor. The Event was sponsored in part by, South African Airways, Tree of Life Employment (Sam Kabu Asante), Impact Lives Church (Bishop Bob Tacky), Royal Dental Care (Dr. George Boahene Ansong), Peel Regional Police, Lakeside Estate, First Class Flooring and Afro Caribbean Foods,