Massive crowd and pure funfair characterised the maiden edition of Ghana Outstanding Women Awards (GOWA) at the Alisa Hotel on Friday evening.

High-profile personalities from the diplomatic corps, politics, arts and entertainment and media graced the event.

It was Multimedia’s Afia Pokua who picked the flagship award— a beautiful crystal plaque, a return trip ticket to Johannesburg from Rwandair and products from Olam Ghana, MVP and Indomie Instant Noodles.

Her brilliance on the airwaves also won her the most outstanding woman on radio award.

She paid glowing tribute to the organisers, ASKOF Production, for rewarding her efforts-building of a five-classroom block and other charity projects.

The CEO of GOWA, Afua Asantewaa Aduonum, in her address said, “This programme is arranged to recognise hardworking women who have made an immense contribution to society in various fields. Indeed, these brilliant awardees have impacted society with their respective projects and their documentaries which we are about to witness will bear me out.

“Files of all nominees have been scrutinised by a team of level-headed personnel, and I believe whoever will emerge winner in the various categories was chosen purely on merit,” she added.

Afua Asantewaa continued, “Tonight, we have gathered here not just to celebrate the achievements of our ladies and role models, but also to give due regard to societal values and morals which these awardees exemplify, like discipline, compassion and zeal for impacting.

“Awards are a way to encourage good works and inculcate competitive spirit. It is the reason this scheme has been established to annually reward and to encourage our women.

“So we are here to give away the awards in mainly 25 categories, as well as honorary awards to celebrated individuals and institutions.

“Characteristically, every maiden event has its teething challenges, and GOWA 18’ is no exception. However, I want to thank the hardworking Team GOWA for their selfless contribution to ensuring that the event becomes a success,” she concluded.

Goodwill Sports Ambassador and the Ghana’s Consul General to Haiti urged all the winners not to relent but strive harder in their pursuit for success.

Bellow is full list of other winners:

Woman Entrepreneur – Mimi Andani Michaels

Woman in Music – Stephanie Benson

Woman TV Host – Wendy Laryea (TV 3)

Woman Model – Prisca Abbah

Woman Beauty Queen – Abigail Baciara Bentie

Woman DJ – Ohemaa Woyeje (Adom FM)

Woman Beauty Pageant – Ghana’s Most Beautiful (TV3)

Young Woman Entrepreneur – Fella Makafui

Young Woman TV Host – Cynthia Tima Yeboah (Adom TV)

Young Woman Actress – Afima Kpodo

Woman Radio Presenter – Afia Pokua (Adom FM)

Women International Donor – Indian Women Association

Woman in Sports – Coach Mercy Tagoe Quarcoo (Black Queens)

Woman Sports Journalist – Rosalind Amoh

Woman in Politics – Zanetor Agyeman Rawlings

Women Empowerment TV Show – The Stand Point (GTV)

Woman Film Producer – Shirley Frimpong Manso

Woman in Health – Baaba Botway

Woman Actress – Emelia Brobbey

Woman Brand Image Personality – Nana Ama McBrown

Woman in Agriculture – Nana Adwoa Sifa

Women Social Community – Tell It Moms

HONORARY AWARDS

Oheneyere Gifty Anti

Nana Hemaa Adwoa Awindor

Rev. Dr. Francisca Duncan Williams