The British High Commissioner to Ghana, H.E Iain Walker, hosted the GUBA Conference and Awards Press Launch in Accra on Thursday June 7, 2018.

Held at the British High Commissioner’s residence in Accra, the launch commenced with a dinner and discussion hosted by H.E Iain Walker, for a selection of business executives and government officials.

In his welcome address, he stressed the significance of the UK-Ghana relationship, adding: “The purpose for this is the network of connecting people together, and GUBA does that fantastically. It is very difficult for us to achieve anything but, together with a network of people working with each other, we can achieve something and GUBA is a great representation of that. We often make a choice and the choice is that we should try and make Ghana and UK relationship stronger and a manifestation of that through GUBA, is something that I very warmly welcome,” says H.E Ian Walker.

The launch begun with prayer from Rev Kingsley Appiagyei, Senior Pastor of the Trinity Baptist Church, followed by a ministration and performances from a variety of artists.

Catherine Afeku, Minister of Tourism, officially launched the GUBA Conference and Awards 2018, adding “it is great to observe the success of Ghanaian women like Dentaa who are diligently working to build Ghana”

In her closing speech, CEO of GUBA Enterprise, Mrs Dentaa Amoateng MBE, emphasised on the importance of cohesion within our community.

“It is our strong belief that to have a Ghana that exceeds our expectations, we have to harness and combine the resources of the diaspora with that of Ghana based citizens. Together, we can effectively improve the socio-economic status of our country. I urge you all to play your role in this movement and to put the advancement of Ghana at the forefront of your proceedings. At GUBA, we work to play our part in this journey, and will continue to do so,” she adds.

The official 2018 GUBA categories announced and available for voting are:

GUBA Efie Ne Fie Award

• Eric Andoh (Starbites)
• William and Francesca Quagraine (Gold Coast)
• Claudia Lumor (Glitz Africa)
• Nana Adjei (FK Lounge)

GUBA Leisure & Tourism Award

• Royal Senchi Hotel
• African Regent Hotel
• Aqua Safari Resort
• Coconut Grove Resort



GUBA Professional of the Year Award

• Charlotte Boaitey
• Dr (Mrs) Prospera Tedam
• Hephzi Naa Ameley Tagoe
• Poku Osei

GUBA Innovation & Technology Award

• Nelson Boateng (Nelplast Ghana Ltd)
• Ivy Barley (Developers in Vogue)
• Nicholas Bortey (Liranz Ltd)
• Farida Nana Efua Bedwei (Logiciel Ltd)

GUBA Associations Award

• Ghana Nurses Association
• Ghana Doctors and Dentists UK
• Ghana Society Luton
• Ghana Union Bradford

GUBA Rising Diaspora Award
• Bernard Adjei
• Sarah Owusu
• Joshua Oware
• Jasmin Adjeiwaa Assanoh
• Afua Adom

GUBA Celebrity Humanitarian Award

• Nathan Kwabena Adisi (Bola Ray)
• Kwami Sefa Kayi
• John Dumelo
• Livingstone Etse Satekla (Stonebwoy)
• Martha Ankomah
• Kwame Nsiah-Apau (Okyeame Kwame)



The above categories are up for public vote. To vote, kindly visit www.gubaawards.co.uk/voting . Voting ends on Tuesday the 12th of June 2018.
Black star award recipients are selected individuals that have successfully excelled within their fields over a period of time. Thus, the Black Star Award 2018 recipients are:

• Ashitey Hammond - GUBA 2018 Lifetime Achievement

• Joshua Buatsi - GUBA 2018 Rising Sports Star

• Vandyke Appiah Kubi - GUBA 2018 Special Achievement

• Ernest Abbeyquaye - GUBA 2018 Television & Film Pioneer

• Dr Cecilia Anim CBE - GUBA 2018 Outstanding Leadership

• Joyce Banda - GUBA 2018 Exceptional Activist Award

• Hon. Gloria Afua Akuffo - GUBA 2018 Outstanding Achievement (joint)

• Marietta Brew Appiah-Opong - GUBA 2018 Outstanding Achievement (joint)

• Michael Dapaah - GUBA 2018 Rising Star

• Michael Omari Owuo Jr (Stormzy) - GUBA 2018 Music Excellence

• Samuel Afari - GUBA 2018 Outstanding Student Achiever

Tickets for the GUBA Conference and Awards which will take place on the 13th and 14th of July 2018, at the Intercontinental Hotel, London, are available for purchase via GUBA TICKETS.

The title sponsor for the GUBA Conference and Awards 2018 is ECOM Ghana.

Other sponsors include: Menzgold, Goil, Payglobal, Imperial Homes, Dial Us Gh and Boadicea the Victorious.

Partners of the event are: British High Commission Accra, Ghana High Commission, Diaspora Office of the President, Ghana Tourism Authority, E-volution International, Plan It Events, Makeup Ghana, Precise Communications Ltd., Stimuluz Technology Ltd., D-Art Factory, Tremghana, Final Effects Studios, Dial Us Ghana, Creative Details Events

Media Partners: ABN TV/Radio, The Voice Newspaper, GHOne TV, Starr FM, Starr Radio UK, OK FM, Peace FM, Adom TV, UTV, TV3, TV Africa, GTV, NAS Productions, MultiMedia, Hot Digital Online FM, Anita Erskine Media, Glam Africa, FAB photography, AKLASS photography, SWAG of Africa, Inspirational You, Lace up Media, OT Radio UK, Daily Graphic, Daily Guide, BFT, Yanga TV, Ameyaw Debrah, Yemmey Baba, GN Radio/TV, Zylofone Media and Ernest Simons Photography.

For more information about the conference and awards, visit www.gubaawards.co.uk

About GUBA Awards

GUBA Awards promotes closer economic, cultural and social links between Ghana and the United Kingdom. Launched in 2010 as the GUBA Awards, the annual event celebrates and acknowledges the contribution of Ghanaian and African based businesses and individuals in the United Kingdom. Following the success of the annual awards programme, GUBA expanded into the GUBA Foundation, GUBA Expo and GUBA Careers to provide distinct services targeted at individuals and businesses.

For further information, please contact Lauren Adair on GUBA@blj.co.uk or telephone 0207 932 1599.