The 2022 Golden Gala and Awards Symposium presented by the Ghana Diaspora Public Affairs Collective (GH-PAC) was hosted on September 24, at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C. The Awards celebrated Ghanaian excellence; honouring Ghanaian-American appointees of President Biden that are serving at the highest levels of the U.S. government.
Members of Congress who have committed to focusing on policies that advance U.S.-Ghana diplomatic and bilateral trade relations were also recognized on the evening of the event.
In total, the inaugural GH-PAC gala honoured a total of 22 elected officials, community leaders, top professionals, and advocates that have exemplified excellence and helped to bridge the diaspora with Ghana as a leading example for Africa.
The event was founded by Ghanaian-American public policy and business professionals who are focused on empowering Ghanaians in the diaspora and advancing U.S.-Ghana relations.
The Keynote speech was delivered by Honorable Alan Kyerematen, Ghana’s Minster of Trade and Industry while the special remarks were delivered by Her Excellency (H.E.) Hajia Alima Mahama, Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States.
In her remarks, H.E. Alima Mahama commended GH-PAC for “the selection of tonight’s awardees from all walks of the professional circles. It is indeed a delight to see the blend of men and women who will be awarded at tonight’s Gala.”
According to Honorable Alan Kyerematen, “Ghanaians living abroad have a major role to play in changing the narrative where more trade relations could recorded between Ghana and the United States. This could be achieved by firstly disseminating reliable information about opportunities that exist in Ghana to those here [in the United States]. Secondly, Ghanaians have to offer their services to support Ghana through a more structured engagement that would support the agenda back home.
He added that, “…advocacy and the role of lobbying could not be over emphasizd” and thus commended GH-PAC for initiating the establishment of the Congressional Ghana Caucus ably led by some very distinguished women such as Congresswoman Moore.
Finally, the Trade and Industry Minister impressed upon the Ghanaian Diaspora community to “invest heavily in Ghana with their [network, skills, money and friends.]“
Reputed community development leaders, elected officials, diplomats, business executives, and the members of the Clergy were present. These individuals and business entities respectively represented the achievements of Ghanaians abroad through their hard work to improve Ghana’s development as well as issues affecting the African diaspora.
Below are the categories of awards at the ceremony and their respective winners:
Gala 2022 Distinguished Honorees
- Gabe Amo – Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
- Adjoa B. Asamoah – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Deniece Laurent-Mantey – The White House National Security Council
Pioneer Award
- Sanders Adu
- Mayor Pro Tem Pious Ali
- Mayor Pro Tem Adrian Boafo
- Isaac Fördjour
Acclaimed Awardees & Community Champions
- Dr. Alexander Anim-Mensah
- Dr. Bertha Serwa Ayi
- Abdul-Karim Abdullah
- Prof. Francis Ali-Osman
- Kweku Adomako
- Mr. Kofi Boateng
- Nana Gyamfi
- Ghana Physicians and Surgeons Foundation
- Dr. Michael Obeng
- Mr. Kwaku D. Ofori
- P3ND3MIC Challenge
- Guevera Yao
- Karen Attiah of the Washington Post
Posthumous Recognition
- Virgil Abloh
- Dr. Kwaku Ohene-Frempong
According to the organizers, GH-PAC is always “committed to working collectively as Ghanaians, people of Ghanaian descent and friends of Ghana to encourage civic engagement and advance policies through research, education, and community building.”
To learn about GH-PAC visit their website ghanadiasporapac.org for more information.
Source: Ghana Embassy, DC