Diaspora News of Thursday, 21 October 2004

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Ghanaian's Win Big At Prestigious Award Ceremony

Two of London?s prominent Ghanaians have won awards at this year?s prestigious Gathering of Africa?s Best Awards.

Henry Bonsu (BBC and C5) and Space Clottey both won top awards for their contribution towards the positive image of Africa and Africans through the media.

Space Clottey?s Voice of Africa was praised as an innovative radio station which has portrayed a good picture of those from the continent in its outlook. VOA was one of the first Afrocentric internet radio stations in existence and is thus a landmark achievement for its Director, Space Clottey.

Henry Bonsu, who made the front pages after being withdrawn from a BBC radio programme for ?being too intellectual?, still works with the BBC and is a regular on Channel 5?s morning flagship programme, the Wright Stuff. He is known to help London?s black community regularly and is known for his words of wisdom.

The following people were winners on the night:

1. Cyril Nri (Chief Superintendent Adam Okaro, ITV1, The Bill) 2. Antonia Okonma (Darleen Cake, ITV1, Bad Girls) 3. Henry Bonsu (BBC Radio, The Wright Stuff, C5) 4. Ade Adepitan (BBC Wheelchair presenter and British Para Olympic Bronze Medallist) 5. Space Clottey (CEO, Voice of Africa Radio) 6. Debbie Ariyo (Africans Unite Against Child Abuse, AFRUCA) 7. 805 Restaurant 8. Dayo Israel (International Child Rights Activist) 9. TA Property Consultants 10. Femade UK Ltd (Mr and Mrs Femi Adenuga)

The prestigious award ceremony is known to attract the cr?me de la cr?me of Britain?s black society and pays homage to Africans and those of African descent in the UK. The GAB Awards, founded by The Trumpet newspaper in 1999, is the most prestigious awards ceremony within the UK?s African community.

The Trumpet newspaper is the widest circulating black publication in the UK according to the Audit Bureau of Circulations. The Founder / CEO of the GAB Awards ?Femi Okutubo who is also Publisher of The Trumpet newspaper said: ?We must continue to celebrate our achievements by rewarding excellence when and where due. This will not only encourage achievers, but it will also motivate others to excel. This is what the GAB Awards which is getting bigger and better seeks to achieve.?

The sixth annual Gathering of Africa?s Best (GAB) Awards took place on Sunday, October 10, 2004 at the Holiday Inn Kensington Forum, 97 Cromwell Road, London SW7.