PHOTOS: The 2017 Ghana - Nigeria Achievers Award

The 2017 Ghana - Nigeria Achievers Award has held at the British Council Event Auditorium, Accra-Ghana. It was a very successful event with dignitaries from all walks of life attending the memorable occasion. The event which was set up by organizers as a platform to recognize and reward the effort of men and women who are working so hard to positively project the image of the two countries had its Guest of Honor as H.E President Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffo Addo. He was represented by Hon. Tina Mensah, the Deputy Minister of Health and member of Parliament for Weija - Gbawe Constituency. Also in attendance was the Special Guest, Prof. Steve Azaiki, the Coordinator, National Think Tank and former Secretary to Bayelsa State Government, DCOP Osabarima Oware Asare Pinkro III, the Greater Accra Police Commander, Ministers of State, Traditional Rulers, Ambassadors, Acada Magazine and other International media houses.

While giving the Opening Remarks, Comrade Barry Ndu Nwaihim, the CEO of Ghana Nigeria Achievers Award (GNAA) appreciated the effort of the Award recipients for being a positive influence and always projecting a positive image of these great West African countries. Comrade Barry Ndu stated that it is ideal to honor people when they are still alive than waiting for them to die before spending millions of Naira or Cedis to get them buried. He called on African Governments to set up an Award scheme that would be used in motivating young Africans who are doing well in their respective fields of endeavor as this would inspire them to keep creating positive initiatives that would make our society a better place. He explained that it is time to start investing in the intellectual content of the people rather than wasting money on frivolities that tend not to add value to citizens. He called on companies and individuals to financially support and key into their plans to set up a Ghana Nigeria Entrepreneurship Secretariat where young people from these two countries would be taught skills that would make them become self dependent rather than waiting on Government to give them job at all times. He also asked the Award recipients to see the honor as an opportunity to keep doing positive things as the world is watching.

Hon. Tina Mensah, the Deputy Minister of Health on her part thanked the Organizers for putting up such a laudable initiative and stated that she has been inspired to continue being an effective influence on the lives of people. He assured that the Government of Ghana as led by H.E Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffo Addo would always work hard in ensuring that the citizens enjoy good Governance and the dividends of Democracy. She said that her Ministry would do everything possible to sort out every issue as regards Nurses and difficulty in getting jobs after graduation. She said the Award has come at the right time and dedicated it to her Minister and the good people of Ghana.

Prof Steve Azaiki, the Coordinator of National Think Tank and former Secretary to Bayelsa State Government who was the Special Guest also thanked the organizers for such a perfectly organized event .He assured of his support and advise at all times to ensure the vision is sustained. He called on African Governments to focus on bringing development to the continent. Prof Steve Azaiki who is widely traveled said that Africa can become the envy of the entire world if we remain patriotic ,focused and determined to applying practical solutions to issues that surround us. He received the Award given to him with joy and assured of his commitment to always be a great Ambassador of Nigeria.

Her Excellency Mrs. Evelyn Anita Stokes-Hayford, former Ghanaian Ambassador to Italy, Prosper Markafui,Chief Victor Nwaneri, HRM Oba Abdul Salami 1 De Olu Kasoa, Central Region, Chief David Ukueku, Prince Udodiri Collins, Melody Okwuazu, Prof Blessing Chimezie Didia, Bola Ray, Pastor Muyiwa James. Alhaji Mustapha Plus, Chief Okey Okoro and many others also received an Award on the day. They all pledged to continue being a shining light and assured never to stop supporting the Organization anytime they are called upon.

Nancy Samuel, the Organization's Deputy Director Of protocol assured that the next edition of the event would be more successful. She hoped that the initiative would ensure that Ghana and Nigeria continue to see themselves as one people even as they keep doing their best to create such great platforms for unity.

In all it was a very successful event as guests toasted to a more prosperous Ghana - Nigeria relationship.