Akufo-Addo honours 285 young achievers at 2023 Head of state awards

The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Friday, December 15, 2023 honoured 285 young people at this year’s Head of State Awards Scheme, Ghana.

They were recipients of the Gold Award Presentation (GAP) 2023, for finding solutions to some problems, whilst finding their career paths.

President Akufo-Addo congratulated all the awardees for what he described as “excellent work” they had done.

As the Chief Patron of the Head of State Awards Scheme, Ghana, President Akufo-Addo commended the idea for the recognition and said it should be maintained.

“I think it is clear from what we have seen here that the award scheme is an excellent idea and that we have to congratulate the initiators of the idea and we have to make sure that it continues to work,” he said.

He mentioned that the building to house the Secretariat in Ghana needs to be completed to make it the first of its kind in the world. He used the opportunity to pledge his personal support.

“So, we have every reason to make sure that it is completed. And that is the building that is going to house the Secretariat.

“The awards scheme doesn’t have a Secretariat anywhere in the world. When we finish this one in Ghana, it will be the first of its kind in the world. So, you have my personal commitment. I am going to help finish this building,” he assured the awards scheme.

AWARD SCHEME

The Head of State Award Scheme became the National Award Authority and Licencing Operator of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in Ghana.

In the early 1980’s, political instability halted the operation of the award in Ghana until 1993, when it was revived during the royal visit of HRH Prince Edward, the Earl of Wesex, KG GCVO ADC.

Patronage for the Award in Ghana started in 1976 when the then Head of State, Gen. I.K. Acheampong accepted to be a Chief Patron to enhance its brand and attract more supporters to the youth development agenda.

Last Friday’s awards were in seven categories. There were the HoSA Duke of Endinburgh International Gold Award, the HoSA Adult Leaders Award, the Trustees Award, the Corporate Award, the Young Achievers Award and the Legacy Gadia State Award.

BOARD CHAIR

In a welcome address, the Board Chair, Mr. Harry B. Sintim-Aboagye, said the scheme is to encourage young people and recognise informal education.

He said the programme is organised to recognise the youth who have successfully impacted their chosen careers.

He said the youth were a key aspect of national development and if they were to succeed, they needed skills, thus the recognition of their skills, that are impacting society.

He said he was pleased to witness the awardees excel in the awards’ journey, citing students from Afia Kobi Serwaa SHS developing a miniature model airplane for data collection during maritime security and surveillance.

He said two students from Abetifi Technical Institute developed a drone firefighter.

“These are remarkable strives that we must protect and celebrate these innovations and creativity.”

According to him, the award scheme, since 2017, has extended its reach from four to nine regions in the country.

He commended the President for the construction of the two-storey building Secretariat, which is about 45% complete and pledged his commitment to completing it.

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of HoSA, Mr. Peter Akai Anum, said the event was a testament to young people’s contributions to community and national development.

Other special awards were given to Professor Emeritus Henry Nii Agyiri Wellington, playwright Ebo Whyte and CEO of Multimedia Group, Kwesi Twum, who received the Life Icon Awards.

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