AYE AWARDS; The Success Story of Africa in Germany

Nine students received awards at the 4th Africa Youth Education Awards (AYEA) which took place this past Saturday, November 22nd, 2014. It was held at the Albert-Schäfer-Saal, “IHK” Adolphsplatz 1, in Hamburg, Germany. The students were presented with awards by Her Excellency Akua Sena Dansua (Ghanaian Ambassador to Germany). They were awarded by the community for attaining admission into a tertiary institution in Germany.

The aim of the project is to raise the educational and professional achievements of the youth of African origin by empowerment approach. This would also intensify the campaign and create awareness on the significance of education for the social and professional integration in Germany. The project is therefore to motivate the kids in Germany to study hard, but also to expose them and their parents to role models in the society through a network system.

The students include: Jeffrey Agamah -/Machanical Engineering, Hadare Kafando -/Electrical Engineering, Henry Wulff -/Economics, Nadine Weitkuhn -/Social Science, Emmanuel Gyebi -/Logistics and Mobility, Chantal Lingani -/Law, Ayite Eddy Lackmann -/Computer Science, Torsten Frimpong -/Mechanical Engineering and Loretta French -/Law

The community Prizes were awarded to: Dr. Getie Gelaye for his relentless efforts in giving free counsel to the youth and their parents pertaining their educational advancement. Mrs. Mabel Preach Sarkordie, who has over the years been able to occupy African and non-African kids positively with useful projects. Keeping them off the streets and Jay Chikato, has been organizing extra classes for our children at affordable prices.

The TopAfric Prize: DJ Bleed; won the 2014 Presenter of the Year, DJ Ben Craig; won the most loyal Prize, 3 years nonstop every week on the air waves and Janina Grabert won the discovery of the year Prize. After serving her internship with TopAfric, she got the opportunity to run a weekly program, today she is one of the most sort after Djs in Hamburg.

The event hall was full to the brim with both the youths and adults. In attendance were both politicians and dignitaries from all works of life in Hamburg: The Minister of Education -Hamburg did the opening ceremony, the key note address was done by Her Excellency Akua Sena Dansua (Ghana Ambassador to Germany).

The following also made powerful speeches, all encouraging the youth to take lessons at school seriously and challenging parents to invest into education. Ex-Senator Dietrich Wersich, group leader and flag bearer of the CDU in Hamburg, Falko Drossmann leader of the SPD, Hamburg Mitte; most of the audience found his speech very touching. Jens Kerstan, group leader and top candidate of the Greens in Hamburg and Dr. Aissa Halidou a community activist addressed the gathering as while.

Panel discussion on the Theme; "Training and Studies” – Education is the Future" consisted of - Olivia Addai (Teacher), Dr. Getie Gelaye (Lecturer), Frank Heinrich (Chancellor of the University of Erding), Bettina Rhensius-Krohn (Honorary Consul of Mali) & Mr. Andreas Klein – Head of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Hamburg. The podium discussion panel was open to questions from the audience. The discussion was mostly about education in Germany.

The event organized by TopAfric Media Network in Germany was well attended. The Honorarconsul of Uganda, Prof. Dr. Manfred Dietrich, Bettina Rhensius-Krohn, Honorary Consul of Mali and Mrs. Sabine Werner of Ghana consulate –Hamburg. Mr. Samuel Adotey Anum and Mr. Michael Nyaaba Assibi both of Ghana Embassy Berlin were there to grace the occasion.

The Ivorian community was led by Fofana Mamadou, Togo community led by Togbui Ahaho. Mali community by Marie Hanne-Akele, Ghana led by Nana Anane Kaakyrie, Nigeria community led by Jude Ogunnaye, and Cameroun led by Humphrey Nebane. The Benin community by Charles Egounlety. Angelina Akpovo of Alafia-Agentur was one of the prominent African citizens around.

The organizers were lucky to have BEDO the moderator of "Oriental Night" Hamburg1 at the occasion. Our special thanks also go to Mr. Thomas Bressau, Henritte Enckevort and Johannes Karhrs all senior members of the SPD Party in Hamburg, Mr Michael Osterburg "Grüne Partei" Hamburg -Mitte.

Major sponsors this year were the ministry of Education Hamburg, the Chambers of Commerce “Handelskammer” –Hamburg the Hamburg –Mitte district Assembly, Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Hamburg. The TWS –logistics in Hamburg, Asa Royal Hotel, “Hochschule für angewandtes Management” and the „nordkirche weltweit“, Ghana and Mali consulates in Hamburg.

Several institutions also supported the program, they include: Akwaaba Travels, The African Muslim Association, African Christian Council, Alte Eilbeke Apotheke, Okwahuman Union in Hamburg, “Zob Frisör”, Malata Markt, Balimaya Ton Hamburg, MansasBest, Ogbeiwi Facility Management, First Foundation Event Hall and Ghana Cargo, Christ Charismatic Chapel.

It must be stated here that several individuals made donations in support of the AYEA program. Other prominent people in the house were Huy-Tam Van, Clement Klutse and Mary Oduro all members of the CDU –Hamburg. Irene Appiah and Adeyemi Ademuyiwa members of the SPD –Hamburg, Beatrace Oola of African Fashion Day –Berlin. Yolande James, designed the cloth won by Miss Annerose Muyombano duration the moderation.

Prof. Dr. Kofi De Heer, Dr. Kingsley Dokyi, Dr. Bernart Doku and wife, Dr. Isaac Berbiye, Engineer Brisbourne Iyamu, architect Silkata Sahin-Adu. Pastor Frederik Wulff and wife, Pastor Bona Siriboe Boateng and wife, Pastor D. Jacobs, Bishop Adu-Boahen, Evangelist Henry Thompson, Pastor Willie Nelson and Prophet Samuel Wireko Ababio. Barima Odame Apem Darko II of Akyem Otumi, Opanin Koo Kusi, Nana Omane Acheamfour, Nana Amenado and Nana Poku also came to celebrate the kids. Alhaji Yusif and Babs were also in the house.

It is worth mentioning that, Ernest O. Look came all the way from Berlin to represent Gerald Asamoah and wife Lynda. Obapaa Radio from Duisburg, Yves and Ramata from Kiel. The Old Ghana Footballers Association Footballers Association members, Joe Gabbah, Mansa and Rüdiger came extra from Hannover to support the youth program.

The TopAfric crew, and particularly Yvonne Nass Twerefour and Jacquiline Röttgers for the excellent work they did during the preparations and at the event. Celine Love, Julia McCallion, Daniel Jeddman, and Precious provided wonderful music for the occasion. The event started promptly at 6:30pm and was over around 9:30pm Moderation was done by Prince Owusu Sekyere and Annerose Muyombano a jewellery designer, vote of thanks done by Lawyer Iyare Imasi and Sylvaina Gerlich of Imic. e.V. and a member of Hamburg Integration Council.

We had several shortfalls and feedbacks as to what was not executed properly, this we promise to do better next year.

The following Media Houses covered the event; tabotgraphy, Obapaa Radio, Noa4 TV and FrancisBM Once again we are grateful to Hamburg and especially Chambers of Commerce "Handelskammer" for the golden opportunity offered the African community. God Bless Africa! God Bless Germany!