The 3rd African Youth Education Award took place this past Saturday, Oct., 19th, 2013, at the Chamber of Commerce (IHK) in Hamburg. The program was initiated three years ago to help address the falling standard of education amongst African youths in Germany, particularly those born and breed in Germany.
The doors opened at 6pm and the show started exactly at 6.30pm which is surprising for an African show in Germany. The visitors were from all ages and different cultures. The show was hosted by Prince Owusu Sekyere and Heike Kankam Boadu.
The first speech was read by Dr. Uwe Heinrichs, and the keynote address done by the Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo H.E. Clémentine Shakembo Kamanga. The special guest of the occasion was Her Excellency Ba Hawa Keita, Ambassador of the republic of Mali.
Then after Johannes Kahrs (SPD) and Rüdiger Kruse (CDU) both members of parliament, gave speeches encouraging the youth to take education seriously as that is the key to success. Hibba Farouk and Frank Heinrich of Stensington International Management Academy also made speeches.
Tash performed a popular tune by John Legend while Celine performed her own composition accompanied by a guitar.
This year five Male students from Cameroun and Nigeria were awarded. They were presented with certificates and tablet pcs by the Ambassadors present.
The list below shows the names of each student awarded:
Tonya Nkomnga Cedric Gaetan /Cameroon
Asang Kenneth Amenu Anehbi /Cameroon
Abanda Kimbompo Quesieh /Cameroon
Bennett Iyamu /Nigeria
Odunayo Oduntan /Nigeria
The Cameroun Community received the Education Excellency Award for having the most students enrolled in University. Then the Iyamu Family of Nigeria received the Role Model Award for having the most children from one family enrolled in University as well as graduated from University. And the Ghana community received the Education Awakening Award, an award which is meant to motivate a community into producing more students.
They have the largest black African community in Germany and are therefore expected to lead the way.
TopAfric is especially grateful for the support and commitment of the supporting embassies.
Our appreciation go to the following personalities:
Her Excellency Clémentine SHAKEMBO KAMANGA, Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Her Excellency Ba Hawa Keita, Ambassador of the republic of Mali,
Honorable M.O Ajala, minister from the Embassy of Nigeria in Berlin.
Rudiger Kruse, member of Parliament (CDU),
Johannes Kahrs, member of Parliament (SPD),
Honorable Stephan Burich, Consulate of Ghana,
Honorable Rheinsius-Krohn , Consulate of Ghana.
Honorable Dr. Hans-J. Tesmer, Consulate of Senegal,
Frank Heinrich, CEO of Stensington International Management Academy.
Prof. Awudu Abdulai, University of Kiel,
Dr. Uwe Heinrichs and Irene Appiah, Ministry of Education (Schulbehörde) Hamburg
Dr. Getie Galaye, University of Hamburg.
Sylvaina Gerlich of Hamburg Integration Council
Pastor Bruce Thompson, Pastor Kankam Boadu and Apostle Bona Sriboe.
Sponsors:
Ghana Embassy Berlin, Ghana Consulate Hamburg, Mali Consulate Hamburg, ASA Royals Hotel (Gerald Asamoah), Dr Armah Biomedicals GmbH, Ogbeiwi Facility Management, Nord Weltweit, Mission und Ökumene (Hamburg) Chambers of Commerce (IHK) Hamburg, Stensington international Management Academy. TWS Deutschland GmbH.
The program was organized by Lawyer Iyare Imasi, Desmond John Beddy, assisted by Jibola Kolawole, Christian Kenou, Janina Jay and Eddy Ray.
We hope that next year will see more students enrolling into Universities or learning a trade. We also encourage all African churches, businesses, parents to support this program so as to empower the youths who are the future leaders of tomorrow.
It should however, be noted that, the immediate past ambassador of Ghana to Germany H.E Paul King Aryene was the main financial backbone of the program, with his departure organizers can no longer guarantee the sustainability of the project.