The city Brescia hosts the largest community of Ghanaians in Italy and a big event such as Ghana-Italy Excellence Awards Night could not have been taken elsewhere.
For the audience who for the first time took a seat at the venue of the event - Theater of ‘Camera Commercio’ - located in the heart of the city, the interior architectural design with its oval sitting arrangements and modern lighting systems might have struck their attention but you have to admit Italians are good at that – it will not come cheap to the organisers.
This is the second time in Italy such an event has taken place to honour Ghanaians and Italians whose selfless devotion and achievements has helped the community of Ghanaians in Italy and in Ghana. For the right reasons, the young Ghanaian student, Freda Cooper (Adwoa K.O. Bonsu) who was the brain behind the whole Show needs to be congratulated as she singly took upon herself to make the day happen. And she did it in her own words: “with special assistance from God”.
Again, an event of this nature cannot be devoid of the much loved Ghanaians music and dance and the audience got their joyful moments as artiste Efia Ampofuwaa, previously on stage with Ghana’s celebrated music star Daddy Lumba, performed. The presence of the Counselor of the city Brescia, Dr. Acri, showed the importance the city authourities attached to the event. When he got behind the microphone to speak he praised the community of Ghanaians in the city as hardworking and law-abiding and commended them how they have been educating their children academically.
The Ghana Embassy in Rome was represented by Regina Appiah-Sam (Head of Chancellery) and there were 20 awards under different categories and some special awards presented on the Show. The list and recipients are as follows: BEST GHANAIAN CHARITY ORGANISATION won by GOSPEL FRAGRANCE CHARITY, BEST RELIGIOUS ORGANISATION taken by PENTECOSTALS, BEST SOCIAL NETWORK – won by GHANAIANS IN ITALY, BEST ENTREPRENEUR - NEW TECNO in BRESCIA, BEST GHANAIAN FOOTBALLER IN ITALY taken by AGYEMANG BADU of Udine Football Club, BEST EVENT ORGANISER - ZAGIDI and FELICITY, BEST DJ won by BRETUOBA QUAKU AGYEMANG, who in an exhilarated fashion dashed on stage with his own distinctive dance to receive his prize and he got some cheers from the audience.
Rest of the awards and recipients are: BEST GHANAIAN ASSOCIATION won by GHANAIAN NATIONALS ASSOCIATION IN LECCO, BEST RISING STAR - OBED DUKU, BEST MASTER OF CEREMONIES (MC) - KOFI OSEI BONSU (EDDY), STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT - AUBREY ADOFO ASSIEDU from BOCCONI UNIVERSITY, BEST RADIO PRESENTER – NANA YAW BADU DUKU (NKOSUOHENE), BEST NEW MUSIC ACT - REIGNING SISTERS, BEST YOUTH RELIGIOUS ORGANISATION - INTER DENOMINATIONAL YOUTH 4 CHANGE,
BEST EXECUTIVE PRODUCER – FRIMPRINCE, BEST JOURNALIST - REGGIE TAGOE,
BEST TELEVISION BROADCAST - RETE BRESCIA, BEST ROYAL PALACE – ROYAL PALACE in UDINE, BEST BEAUTY SALOON - TOP CLASS in VICENZA, BEST AUTHOR – SAMUEL KENNEDY AGYEI TAKYI.
Freda Cooper speaking in a short interview after the event said: “For being the first ever edition, I can proudly say that God has not forsaken me at all. All my special guests were there. I was happy to see Dr. Acri (Counselor of the City Council in Brescia), Fabrizio Cassuto (President of ASPI - Agency Development for International Promotion), Giuseppe Oliveri - an Advocate for Civil Affairs, delegates from the Ghana Embassy in Rome, all the Executives of Council of Ghanaian Nationals Associations in Italy and Miss Ghana in Italy 2010.
“As an Agency - DIVINO ORGANISATION, we strongly believe that success of any event depends on the people who are organising and servicing it. Everything that we have touched has turned out to be great and unique.”
She also mentioned that every component of DIVINO is strategically coordinated, to not only meet, but greatly to surpass viewers and client goals and expectation. “I believe that next year the Show will be bigger than this first edition with some new categories,” she noted and added: “I am gradually coming up with the love of my family, protection from God and advise from people that really cares about me....the ‘road’ is rough and at times with difficulties and criticisms but none of them will stop me from fulfilling my dreams. Ghanaians should expect more great events from Divino Organisation.”
The event was sponsored by Roberto Bucci Company with collaboration from the City Council of Brescia and Council of Ghanaian Nationals Associations in Italy whilst Top Afric Radio in Germany were the media partners.
– Reggie in Brescia, Italy (rtagoe@live.com)
