By Prince Acquah
Cape Coast, Feb. 16, GNA – The Oguaa Traditional Council on Saturday honoured some 50 individuals, groups, institutions, and businesses at the 5th Osabarimba Royal Awards for their hard work and contributions to the development of Cape Coast.
The awardees were recognised for distinguishing themselves in various areas of development, including education, health, religion, tourism and hospitality, beverage production, trade and industry, business and finance, entertainment, fashion, and media.
There were also special awards for some distinguished personalities, including the Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.
The Osabarimba Royal Awards is an initiative of the Oguaamanhen, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II in collaboration with the Ridge Royal Hotel to celebrate individuals and businesses that have contributed significantly to the growth and development of Cape Coast.
The event also provides a platform for industry leaders to network and foster collaborations.
This year’s edition saw the launch of a new magazine, the Kotokuraba Magazine, dedicated to promoting tourism and commerce in Cape Coast and highlighting investment and business opportunities in the city.
The Mfantsipim School was adjudged the ‘all round best Senior High School’ and the Calvary Hill Crest School, the best private school in the education category.
Ms Lucinda Omowale Merriman-Johnson, an Integrated Science teacher with the Ghana National Basic Inclusive School was crowned the best teacher in Cape Coast.
In health, the Adisadel Health Centre took home the most outstanding health facility award while Fountain Foods owned by Dr Rosemond Dadzie won the best innovative business award in the business category.
Awards also went out to Cape Coast Castle Dungeons, Torchlight Tours, GodBox Tours and Ashanti African Tours in the tourism sector while the most popular spot went to Da Breeze, owned by Mr Noah Dekowski.
Osabarimba Kwesi Atta excitedly celebrated all the awardees for their feat, commending them for advancing the cause of Oguaa.
He encouraged all individuals and businesses in the ancient coastal city to work diligently in any sector they operated to expedite the development of Cape Coast and make the city great.
“A nation that does not celebrate its heroes is not worth dying for. If you are working hard work and we don’t recognise your efforts, indeed we will be ungrateful and certainly you will be discouraged.
“Whatever you do, if you do it well, we will definitely acknowledge and honour you,” he added.
For his part, Nana Obiri Aduama I, the Nkosohen of the Oguaa Traditional Area and General Manager of Ridge Royal Hotel, noted that the award scheme had been greatly appreciated by the people and proved effective.
He explained that the awardees were selected through an elaborate and competitive process to ensure that they really deserved the honour.
“We want the people to be happy that Osabarimba recognises and appreciates what they are doing to support Cape Coast and we want to encourage others to emulate their hard work.
“Brighten the corner where you are and one day you will also be recognised,” he said.
Maame Efua Houadjeto, the new Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), who graced the event as the guest of honour, rallied the support of all industry players to enable her succeed in her new role.
She promised to work closely with the Oguaamanhen and the entire traditional council to change the face of tourism in the historic city of Cape Coast.
GNA