We shot Obinim down – Ghana’s Most Influential organisers

The name of Bishop Daniel Obinim, leader of the International God’s Way Church, was intentionally removed from the persons nominated to be among the top 100 Most Influential personalities in Ghana, organisers of the event have disclosed.

Kwame Gyan, Head of Corporate Communications and Brands of Global Media Alliance Broadcasting Company (GMABC), organisers of the event, said though Bishop Obinim had nominations, the Committee in charge of shortlisting the nominees felt the Christian leader was a bad influence on society and therefore should be disqualified.

Mr Gyan cited instances where Bishop Obinim used very insulting and unprintable words in public and even on his live television show. He said though Ghana’s Most Influential (GMI) awards was open to all, the nominees must be of positive influence.

Mr Gyan, speaking on Peace Fm’s Entertainment Review on Thursday, said apart from Bishop Obinim, there were other nominees who were also shot down but he could not readily provide their names and the exact reasons.

The final 100 influential persons who made it to the winning list were to be honoured at a grand event in Accra Thursday night but this paper went to bed before the ceremony commenced.

This year’s event is the sixth edition of the awards ceremony and the awardees include sportsmen, business people, entertainment personalities and journalists, clergy and some other politicians among others.

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President John Dramani Mahama, together with his main political opponent, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), both made it to the first 100 Most Influential personalities list this year.

Pastor Mensa Otabil of the International Central Gospel Church, who came first on the GMI list for the second time, investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, technology innovator Bright Simons, Patrick Awuah of Ashesi University, host of the CITI Breakfast Show, Bernard Avle and Osei Kwame Despite, owner of Peace FM, are all among Ghana’s Most Influential (GMI) personalities who will also be awarded on the night for their immense contribution to the growth of our society.

Ghana’s Most Influential Awards is aimed at recognising and celebrating the top 100 Most Influential Ghanaian personalities as voted by the general public. They consist of individuals whose works have positively impacted society and their communities. After public nominations were opened in November, the list was compiled and reviewed by GMI Committee consisting of editors, producers, and representatives of audit firm PKF.

Public nominations were scored 40% and the GMI Committee scored 60% of the total. Nominees were rated on five key metrics and the results were collated and analysed with the assistance of audit firm PKF. They partnered e.TV Ghana to authenticate the voting and weighting process.

Managing Director of Global Media Alliance Broadcasting Company (GMABC), Akwasi Agyeman, said “This year’s edition of the GMI awards promises to be a night of total celebration. We will be celebrating all those personalities who are in their own ways contributing to our society. A lot of work has gone into preparing for this very important awards. For us at e.TV, therefore, this awards ceremony is one of the many ways we can contribute to the development of this nation by recognising and rewarding the men and women who shaped opinions that have in many ways contributed to the growth of our nation,” Mr Agyeman said.