The search is still on for Ghana’s Top Professional and Business people to be recognised at The 7th Annual Gala Dinner and GPA Awards event on 7th July 2007, at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London, W2 2TY. Closing date for the nominations is 31st May 2007.

From humble beginnings of showcasing talent and networking in 2001, the GPA awards have emerged as an unparalleled annual calendar event for Ghanaians in the United Kingdom. It is regarded not only as a prestigious and “cutting-edge” event cutting across the divide, but also a platform highly sort after by Ghana’s UK professionals and entrepreneurs. Dubbed as the forum for “bridging the Gap” between Ghana and British citizens with Ghanaian Heritage The GPA, is engineering a paradigm shift for, innovation and dedication and excellence in its community.www.gpaawards.com

Eligibility

Any professional, organisation or business you deem has attained excellence in their field as well as contributed significantly to their community in any shape or form. International participants can enter for the GPA International category and may not normally reside in the UK. Closing dates for nominations is 31st May 2006. Interested parties can either log on the GPA website and fill an online nominations form or email the GPA office for forms. Former winners cannot be nominated for the same category unless there is been significant change in status quo or entering for a different category. As always the organisers are encouraging more participation from young people this year who have a special award designated to them. Email info@gpaawards.net

GPA Ghana@50 & African Excellence Award

In line with the Ghana@ 50 theme, ‘Championing African Excellence’, The GPA this year, introduced the Special Award GPA African Excellence Award. This category recognises an individual or group of African descent, not necessarily Ghanaian, for their distinguished contribution in the area of: Business & Commerce, Professional Leadership, Politics & Diplomacy, Science & Technology, Sports & Culture and Non-governmental work (NGO’s). The person selected for this award has significantly contributed to the positive image of Africa.There are three main Categories: Professional. General and Special with 21 individual awards for grabs this year. Details of the various award categories and criteria can be obtained from the website www.gpaawards.com GPA Awards Ghana @ 50 Conference and Cocoa Dinner

In line with Ghana’s Golden Jubilee Celebrations this year was marked by an unprecedented show of nationalism and goodwill by Ghanaians in the United Kingdom. To maintain the goodwill and pioneering role, The GPA Awards as part of the Ghana@50 UK celebrations is convening its début Conference with the theme: ‘Ghana- The next 50 years Carving a better & prosperous Future’. The aim of the conference is to provide a forum to outline the key policy changes for the next 50 years and to provide a platform to mobilise support from Diaspora for investment and contribution.

Special Guests earmarked for this years awards & Conference include Former UN Secretary General Mr Kofi Annan, His Rt. Hon. Paul Boateng, British High Commissioner to South Africa, HE Mr Annan Cato, Ghana’s High Commissioner to the UK, Chairman of the Council Of State, Professor Adjei Bekoe, Hon. Alan Kyerematen Ghana’s Minister for Trade, Industry & Special Presidential Initiatives, Hon. Kwamena Bartels, Ghana’s Minister for Information & Information and National Orientation, John Prescott, Deputy Prime Minister, Alderman John Stuttard, Rt. Hon Lord Mayor of London, Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, CEO Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation, HE Isaac Osei, CEO Ghana Cocoa Board, Harriet Lamb, Executive Director, Fair Trade Foundation, Dawn Butler MP for Brent Mr Kwesi Abeasi CEO African Business Roundtable (ABR), Mr Robert Ahomka-Lindsay CEO Ghana Investment Promotions Centre and Sir Sam Jonah, President of Equinox Explorations

About GPA Awards™

The Award wining GPA Awards is a Professional Development organisation Targeting Ghana’s UK professionals & Business people for positive contribution. Through dynamic projects and Leadership Development Programmes, they contribute to harnessing business and professional skills leading to capacity building and growth. From impacting and initiating the UK community with excellence, the GPA offers a platform for identifying positive role models for aspiring young people of the African Diaspora. The awards have been instrumental in identifying Diaspora investors and professionals for building sustainable capacity and investment links back in their country of origin.

Through promoting excellence, the awards have gained mainstream UK support. Led by Founder and Executive director, Emelia Bartels the awards continue to grow from strength to strength. Now in its seventh year, The GPA awards have emerged as an unparalleled calendar event for the community.

Website: http://www.gpaawards.com

For Nominations & Conference contact Cassandra Campbell Nominations & Conference coordinator email: c.campbell@gpaawards.com