Wodemaya and others grab awards at the 5th edition of the Mentorship and Volunteerism Excellence Awards.

The 5th Mentorship and Volunteerism Excellence (MVE) Awards ceremony was held on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at the Ghana India Kofi Annan Center of Excellence in ICT. This prestigious event, themed “Tech-Driven Future: Mentoring the Next Generation,” recognized individuals and organizations that have shown exceptional dedication to mentorship and volunteerism both in Ghana and beyond.

A Celebration of Volunteerism and Mentorship

The awards ceremony concluded a series of initiatives aimed at promoting volunteering and mentoring across Ghana. These efforts began with National Mentoring Day on July 18, honoring the legacy of Nelson Mandela, and continued through National Volunteers Day in collaboration with the GhanaThink Foundation, celebrating Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s legacy.

Keynote by Her Excellency Fidelia Graand-Galon

The event’s guest of honor, Her Excellency Fidelia Graand-Galon, Ambassador Extraordinaire & Plenipotentiary of the Suriname Embassy to Ghana, delivered a powerful address. She emphasized the importance of believing in Ghana and fostering mentoring partnerships, calling on the private sector, government, and civil society to unite in providing mentorship opportunities for the youth. Her message centered on driving innovation, creativity, and nurturing home-grown talent.

CEO of Captain’s Foundation Highlights Five Years of Excellence

Mr. Atsu George Delima, CEO of the Captain’s Foundation and organizer of the event, explained that the MVE Awards aim to celebrate individuals and organizations excelling in mentorship and volunteerism, thereby promoting a culture of social impact and excellence. Reflecting on the five-year milestone, he remarked, “Five years of honoring outstanding mentorship and volunteerism in Ghana sets a high standard, encouraging others to strive for excellence. The awards now stand as a reputable and consistent platform.”

He further explained the theme, noting how technology’s disruptive influence is shaping industries, making it essential to prepare the youth for emerging challenges and opportunities. Mr. Delima affirmed that the awards will continue to inspire, motivate others, and foster impactful partnerships to sustain mentorship and volunteerism initiatives.

Event Highlights and Awardees

The ceremony attracted key stakeholders, including volunteers, entrepreneurs, innovators, and government officials. A panel discussion featuring industry leaders provided valuable insights on the role of mentorship in driving societal change. The event culminated in the announcement of the awardees, who represent various sectors and causes, showcasing the diversity and breadth of volunteerism and mentorship in Ghana.

Award Categories and Recipients

• Volunteer Group of the Year: GhanaThink Foundation
• Volunteer Organization of the Year: Rotaract Ghana
• Student Mentorship Award: Cecilia Mamle Laweh – Educationist
• Excellence in Pro Bono Consultancy: UPSA Legal Clinic
• Pay it Forward Hubs: iSpace Foundation
• Excellence in Mentoring: Maudlyn Akosua Awuku – Anijie Global Foundation/GEWE Network UK, UN Women UK
• National Service Award: Ato Ulzen Appiah – Director, GhanaThink Foundation
• Youth Volunteer Program: Joshua Opoku Agyemang – IOT Africa & Ghana STEM Network
• Service through STEM: Shadrach Inusah – Founder, Spryix/GDG Accra Lead
• Volunteering for Climate Change: Mackintorch Makafui Awuku – CEO, Mckingtorch Africa
• Personal Achievement: Rosetta Ntriwaah Boakye – Tell it to Rosett
• Sustainability Award: Darlington Akogo – CEO, MINO Health AI Labs
• Excellence in Community Service: Bravo Shoes Community Support Organization
• Rising Star: Blaise Ackom – Cervical Cancer Advocate, Medical Media Personality
• Social Influencer of the Year (M): Wode Maya – Influencer
• Social Influencer of the Year (F): Blessing Bliss Coab Frimpong – Teacher Blessing
• Corporate Mentor of the Year: Ekow Mensah – Managing Consultant, Ekow Mensah Consulting
• Mentorship for Orphans and Vulnerable Children: Linda Ewoenam Donkor – CEO, Auntie Linda Foundation
• Excellence in Children’s Rights and Protection: Paul Semeh – Founder, Street Children Empowerment Foundation (SCEF)
• Impactful Philanthropy: Dwumfour Abdullai Aziz – Lecturer, University of Ghana
• Youth Volunteer of the Year: Maxwell Odonkor – Founder/Executive Director, World Inspiring Network
• Exceptional Volunteer Mentor Award: Dorcas Yingura Zoogah – Gender and Climate Advocate
• Excellence in Teaching: Nutsuakor Foster Asempa – Facilitator, GES, Shai Osudoku District
• Student Volunteer: Victoria Mends
• SDG Mentors:
  • SDG 4: E T Jamani Jr – Consult Lead, etConsult
  • SDG 5: Regina Honu – CEO, Soronko Academy
  • SDG 6: Abdul Rashid Wumpini Alhassan – Ummy Relief Foundation, EndPlasticSoup
  • SDG 8: Youth Advocate Ghana
• Social Entrepreneur of the Year: Kobina Adomadzi Longdon – Developer and Chief Executive, TECHFARM Hub
• Excellence in Personal Finance and Wealth Management: Peter Kwadwo Asare Nyarko – Executive Director, CFLEA
• Mentorship in Mental Health and Well-Being: Mrs. Charlotte Esi Myers – Chief Clinical Psychologist, Ghana Health Service
• Inspiring Change Award: Isaac Newton Acquah – Co-founder, The Innovation Park
• Excellence in Women Empowerment: Edna Quartey – Founder, Total Woman Network
• Corporate Leadership Award: Emmanuel Gamor – Senior Manager, Digital Channels, MTN
• Role Model of the Year (M): Dr. Yaw Twum – CEO, Global Dental Technical Services
• Role Model of the Year (F): Felicia Edem Attipoe – Municipal Chief Executive, Tema West
• Volunteer of the Year: Marcella Mawusi Missodey – Marketing Communication/Entrepreneur/Rotaractor
• Mentor of the Year (M): Ralph Menz – Multimedia Technologist & Tech Startup Founder
• Mentor of the Year (F): Felicia Edem Attipoe – Municipal Chief Executive, Tema West

Event Partners and Sponsors

The event was powered by the Captain’s Foundation, in partnership with ICS Africa Limited, Springfield Events, Charles Buckman Foundation, and Mentoring Africa 101. Sponsors included iSpace Foundation, Oracle Academy, The Misfit Consulting, UN Youth Association Ghana, and Tech Farm Hub.

Source: The Captain’s Foundation