Ghanaian-Canadian Awards Nite 2011

Claireport Place Banquet and Convention Center, Etobicoke in Toronto, was on Sunday 25th September 2011 filled with over 300 celebrants as a special 11th Year Anniversary event of the Ghanaian-Canadian Achievement Awards night was held. It was a glittering celebration of excellence!

31 outstanding individuals were honoured for their contributions to the Ghanaian community in Canada, our motherland Ghana and the Canadian society as a whole. The guest speaker was Mr. Arkoh-Forson, presently, a vice-principal at Dunbarton High School in Pickering, Ontario, who was a Ghanaian-Canadian Achievement Award recipient for Excellence in Education in 2008. Dr. Isaac Odame, a nationally and internationally recognized expert on sickle cell disease who works with Hospital for Sick Children (Sick Kids) Toronto, and Dr. Okraku a dentist, were honoured in the Professional Excellence category. Mrs. Anna Aidoo, a motivational speaker and host of “the Anna Aidoo Show", Noah Boakye Yiadom who in 2001 received the Governor General’s Award for volunteer service, Ms. Bernice Adjei, nurse and teacher, who has been active in the community for over 20 years, Richard Boakye (Abrantie) host of Vibes Afrique and Co-host of Talking Drums show at CHRY 105.5 Fm Radio in Toronto, Mrs. Pascalle Tanty Soga, vice president of the Ghanaian Association of Ottawa, who also has been active in Ottawa for over 20 years, Johnson Osei (Yaw John), a social worker in Vancouver, BC. whose contributions to the cultural life of Ghanaian communities across Canada has also been immense and Ms. Alberta Lawson of Ottawa, Ontario, a senior banking officer at Bank of Nova Scotia, who has continued to serve her community since immigrating from Ghana in 2003 were honoured for Community Service.

Mr. and Mrs. Mireku Asare of Afrocan Direct Import Inc. of Brampton, Ontario, Ms. Vida Mentu of God’s Glory Grocery in Calgary and Paul Nsiah of Six Star Auto Mechanic were offered awards in Community Business. Nii Okai Robertson who has recorded 10 albums clinched the Hi-Life Music award as Isaac Wilson also known as “Minister Ike” whose album was among the top 10 in Ghana (2009 & 2010), Seth Boateng and Evelyn Antwi from Toronto, jointly bagged the Gospel Music award. Nana Amoako Gyampah, Sumankwaahene who has been a true exponent of Ghanaian Culture was given the Cultural Promotion award . Sumankwaahene electrified the whole hall with his antics as he tried to ward off the evil spirits in the room with his whisk, “bodua”. Miss. Stephanie Atuahene, who has gained admission to University of Toronto's (U of T) prestigious business school, Rotman Commerce with a President’s Entrance scholarship, Mrs. Linda Okrah Boateng who graduated form Loma Linda University of Medicine in California USA with a degree in medicine, Kofi Opoku-Amoah, matriculate from Ottawa University in 2010 with the degree honours Bachelors of Science with a specialization in Biochemistry, Miss. Ida Maise Famiyeh, 21 year old Pharmacy Program student of U of T who organized activities for minority high school students to pursue higher education and is involved in many organizations at U of T were also honoured for their academic excellence.

In Sports category, Jamie Adjetey-Nelson who represented Canada at the XIX Commonwealth games in 2010 and won gold in the decathlon event, Miss. Sandra Amoah who also won Athlete of the year award for 4 years in a row, an honour roll student with an over 80% average for 4 years, and Master Nathan Kyeame who won the Canadian U16 300m in 35.87 at the New Legion Canadian Youth Championship in Ottawa last August 2011 were honoured. DJ Akwasi Adjei, the first promoter to bring renowned Ghanaian artists for live performances to Canada was given the Entertainment award. Rocco Kusi Achampong who contested Toronto’s 2010 mayoral position as the youngest candidate, who also runs his own law firm on Bay street, Miss. Linda Arhin, Director, Business Development Personnel, Canadian Western Bank, and Julius Nyarko currently a senior financial analyst, Public Finance at Dominion Bond Rating Service (DBRS) Ltd., a credit rating agency where he rates corporate credits in the public sector were also honoured in the Young Professional Excellence category. Francis Kwadwo Owusu Jnr., Benjamin Asuako and Michael Boamah were given the Young Talent award.

The Christ Redeemer Church Pastor-in-charge Pastor Eric Amoah gave the opening prayer after Mr. Joe Kingsley Eyiah’s introductory remarks for the night. Mr. Emmanuel Ayiku, Publisher /Editor of the Ghanaian News, thanked all who attended the event including all the sponsors for making the night a success. The MCs for the event were Mr. Kweku T. Ackaah-Boafo a lawyer by profession, and Ms. Lucy Crentsil a Ghanaian Gospel Artist and Assistant PRO of Ghanaian Canadian Association of Ontario based in Toronto. In attendance to grace the occasion were Nana Adu Agyei Bonsafo III, Nsuta Omanhene, Nana Atuahene Karikari I, Nana Anokye Bresiamah, Toronto Asantefuohene, Nana Pokua Gyamfi Kumanini, Toronto Asantefuohemaa. Their entourage added colour and pageantry to the event with their colourful traditional customes. Consul General of Ghana in Toronto-Kwadjo Mawutor, Toronto-based lawyers Jason Schwarz, Anthony Stephen Benjamin also a Toronto Lawyer and Bishop Bob Tacky of World Impact Church, as well as a representative of the York Regional Police were also present. The Consul General in his brief greetings during the occasion admonished all Ghanaians to strive for excellency in all they do within the confines of the laws of the land wherever they reside. Nsuta Omanhene, Nana Adu Agyei Bonsafo III urged Ghanaians to educate their children very well and be law abiding citizens. He added that the honouring of the achievers was a good one. Mr. Kwadjo Mawutor also brought greetings from the government of Ghana and Ghana High Commission. Goodwill messages from The Right Hon. David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, the Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, Hon. Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario, Hon. Margarett Best, Minister of Health and Sports Promotion, Eric Jolliffe York Regional Police Chief. The event was sponsored in part by the following: Peel-Toronto Personnel Management, Jodal Health Care, Ontario Provincial Police, York Regional Police, Gloryland Shipping, Moneygram International Inc., Lakeside Estate Ghana, Afrocan Family Foods, Arrow Truck Sales, Police Foundation Department, CLP Fish, Central Market, Queen of Queen’s Beauty Supplies, Sam Auto, Six Star Motors, VMO Promotion Pays, John Anati, Anthony Stephen Benjamin, World Impact Church, Toronto Ghanaian Seventh Day Adventist Church, All Nations Full Gospel church, Ghanaian Presbyterian Church, Ghanaian Congregation St. John’s Anglican Church, Christ Redeemer Church, Bethel Prayer Ministry International, Jason Swartz, Canada College,

The national anthems of both Ghana and Canada were sang by Ms. Lucy Crentsil the co-host at the beginning of the event. Nii Okai Robertson also entertained the audience with authentic Ghanaian hi-life music. The Ghanaian News once again is saying a big thank you to all.