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Meet the Ghanaian contenders at ‘Africa Forty Under40’ Awards
This year’s edition of the Africa Forty Under40 Awards is scheduled for March 25. Personalities from 20 African countries would ‘battle’ for the ultimate. Here is a summary profile of six Ghanaian contenders among the lot, as announced by the organisers.
Hassana Ameley Sampah
Hassana has been running her production company since 2005 till date. She is a filmmaker with over 15 years of experience. In spite of the numerous challenges in the film industry, she stood her grounds when other compatriots had started packing out.
She is the founder of Overflow Production a film production company registered in 2015. The company has producedan award-winning movie titled ‘Shuki.’ The movie premiered in Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, and London and won two awards at the 2019 NELAS Awards in the United Kingdon (UK).
The company has also produced Talk Shows, TV commercials, TV series, and documentaries that have been Aired across Africa. Hassana also featured in a Denish movie that was nominated in the 2017 Oscar Awards in the United States of America.
Hassan and her team have organised an many events including ‘The Overflow Experience’ which was well patronised at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC). As an actress, writer and producer, she is passionate about her work and has been recognised on many platforms in Africa and beyond.
Richmond Kwame Frimpong
Richmond is an award-winning trade and industrial ecosystem transformation specialist with doctoral specialisation in global business, a Masters degree in Business Administration (MBA) and an undergraduate degree in Economics.
As part of building world-class industrial ecosystems, he has worked on a number of manufacturing projects. His work on the Dawa Industrial Zone has transformed it into the fastest growing economic zones.
The 20,000 acre industrial city project has an adjoining 2,000 acre one-stop-shop for multi-sector light and heavy manufacturing such as pharmacy, agro-processing, textile and garments, automotive, steel manufacturing, technology, warehousing and logistics, among others.
At the recent Global UN-ITU Awards, Richmond was commended for building the Best Business Model and Social Impact Organisation.
Kofi Anim-Danso
Kofi Anim-Danso holds a Bachelor of Science degree (Bsc) in Quantity Surveying and Construction Economics. He earned his Master’s degree in Business Administration (International Business) from Cardiff Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom (UK).
He received an award for “Best Male Entrepreneur of 2021” at the Young Achievers Awards. He was also named overall Entrepreneur of the Year for 2022. He again received ‘Emerging Brand of the Year’ and ‘Consistent Brand of the Year’ 2021 in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
Kofi Anim-Danso he has been recognised by the Mayor of Luton, UK, for his outstanding hard work and support in the African tourism industry (Ghana-UK AFFAIRS). His businesses include Vision Xclusive Travel and Tours, and he is a partner of the Kente Festival in Ghana and Miss Tourism Ghana.
Alhaji Salamu Amadu
Ambassador Alhaji Salamu Amadu is an entrepreneur and philanthropist with over a decade and a half of experience in business.
He established Afro-Arab Group in 2007 which currenty has 10 subsidiaries ranging from finance, sports, real estate and construction, travel and tours, general trading, import and export, among others.
He is one of the few nominees to have won 40 Under 40 Ghana Awards for three years in a row in three different categories. He was named the award winner for emerging Microfinance Personality of the Year in 2017, “Sports Personality of the Year in 2018, and Banking and Finance Personality of the year in 2019.
Priscilla Wellington Asante
Priscilla Wellington is a Certified Professional Trainer and Customer Service Expert. She is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Customer Service Africa & Green Trek Tours. She has trained over many professionals and has lectured at various customer service boot camps.
She has a decade of experience in the Hospitality & Tourism industry and is the author of Customer Service Devotional, an educational book launched in 2022 to enlighten and coach the business community committed to championing customer service especially in the tourism and hospitality industry.
She is the Membership Director and Board member of Women in Tourism International Alliance (WITIA), Australia. She is a former Assistant Director of Marketing for WITIA, a Hospitality Consultant, Tour Operator, Mystery Shopper, Trainer and Coach.
As an entrepreneur with effective communication and excellent interpersonal skills, she is able to influence, motivate and work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and culture. She was a finalist at 2014 Africa’s Most Influential Women in Business and Governance.
Amanda Nhyira Bayeh
She graduated from Madina Senior High, and continued to University of Ghana where she trained as a medical doctor. She is a Licensend Medicine Counter Assistant (MCA) and has a Diploma in Dispensing Technology.
Aside being a medical doctor, Nhyira is the founder of Amanda foundation. She has volunteered for some NGOs including Vodafone Health Foundation and Give Me Hope Foundation, among others.
She is an advocate for children, youth and women. She leads mentorship programmes at Give Me Hope Foundation. Amanda is also a content creator and a part-time photo and runway model. She is passionate about humanitarian work and loves teaching children.
By Spectator Reporter
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
