Photo by A-Klass Photography, All Right Reserved.
Glowing tributes poured in from stars, family and friends at an intimate event organised by ABN TV, ABN Radio, Shipley Global Services and Christian Gottfried & Co Solicitors, for GUBA CEO – Dentaa Amoateng on Thursday, 14th July 2016 in London. The event was in celebration of her appointment by Her Majesty the Queen as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE).
The founder of GUBA Awards was among a privileged group of extraordinary people across the United Kingdom, whose achievements in diverse fields were celebrated in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in June 2016. The award recognised her work in advancing relations between the United Kingdom and the African diaspora through her GUBA Enterprise that comprises of the GUBA Awards, the GUBA Foundation, GUBA Expo and the GUBA Careers Fair.
In her speech, Dentaa said the award is a reminder of the importance of following one’s dream and working hard to execute it daily.
“I am very delighted to be here in front of you all today. You all represent the reason why I am who I am and why GUBA has become a household name. The continued support and love that you continue to show me, my organisation and my family is beyond measure. I take this moment to say thank you! Thank you for the continuous encouragement, the business opportunities, the partnerships and most of all, for believing in me and in the dream. This MBE is an accolade I could have never imagined and I vow to work even harder towards the advancement of our people. I cannot thank my awesome team and family enough.”, she added.
Mr Damptey Asare, Head of Chancery at the Ghana High Commissioner to the UK acknowledged “By this award you have brought honour to Ghana, you have brought honour to your family, friends, as well as the black community in the UK. I can say with confidence that you have been a source of inspiration to many young men and women in this community, and this award can only spur them on to aspire for something greater in their own lives. This award, Dentaa, is a recognition of your hard work, commitment and dedication to the UK Diaspora community. I therefore wish to say on behalf of His Excellency Mr. Victor Smith, the High Commissioner that the Ghana High Commission and the people of Ghana we are proud of your achievements.”
Hosts of the event ABN TV, Christian Gottfried and Shipley Global Services also shared their sentiments:
It is our pleasure to host this event in celebration of our friend and supporter Dentaa Amoateng. She is an inspirational woman and her organisation the GUBA Enterprise much like our company, is an excellent unifier of the African community in the UK. We look forward to many more achievements and to work towards our goal of improving our continent – Genevieve Awuku- Boateng, Head of Marketing ABN TV.
Dentaa Amoateng is a remarkable woman and we are honoured to sponsor this celebration of her MBE. She is an astounding individual tirelessly working to inspire and improve the African community in the UK. We know that there are greater accolades in store and we look forward to more partnerships. – Christian Gottfried Solicitors.
We are proud to be one of the partner sponsors of this evening in honour of Dentaa, she represents everything we stand for. We have watched with great admiration how Dentaa has grown professionally over the years. She is not just an example to the growth of the Ghanaian community but to me and women all over the world. – Shipley Global Services.
In her tribute, Paulette Simpson, Executive Director, The Voice Newspaper, called Mrs Amoateng a positive black female role model.
“Dentaa is not only for Africa but for the Caribbean too. She had a vision and followed it with passion and continues to achieve regardless of the barriers”, she said.
Councillor Olu Babatola, Mayor of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, who is the first African Mayor of the Borough, said: “On behalf of Royal Greenwich I congratulate Dentaa on being recognised for an MBE. It is a wonderful achievement to receive such a prestigious award and well deserved for her work both locally and further afield.”
Statements were also read out on behalf of the captain of Ghana National Football team, Asamoah Gyan and his wife Gifty, former First Lady, Mrs Cherie Blair, GUBA Patron Hugh Quarshie, celeb June Sarpong, Mrs Regina Sintim, the Ghana High Commission and the Trade Envoy to Ghana, MP Adam Afriyie.
The event was hosted by Comedian Eddie Kadi and it was an evening of celebration of African accomplishments and aspirations.
