DAASEBRE HONOURS CIIZENS, COMPANIES (PAGE 20, JAN 16, 2010)

THE Omanhene of the New Juaben Traditional Area, Daasebre (Prof) Oti Boateng, has emphasised the importance of charity as a virtue in nation-building.
At the Akwantukese dinner/dance and awards night in Koforidua recently, the Omanhene said, “Charity blesses the one who receives, as well as the one who gives it.”
He, therefore, urged corporate bodies, organisations and well-to-do individuals to be alive to their corporate social responsibilities to enable them to contribute meaningfully to the development of society.
The event, which was organised to round off activities marking this year’s Akwantukese Festival of the chiefs and people of New Juaben, was used to honour individuals, institutions and companies which have made immense contributions to the progress of the New Juaben Traditional Area and Ghana.
The high point of the ceremony was the Special Certificate of Honour awarded to Nana Bobie Dankwa III, the Gyaasehene of the New Juaben Traditional Area, for his exemplary display of confidentiality, honesty and total loyalty to the Yiadom-Hwedie Stool and its occupant.
Two institutions and three individuals received the Daasebre Award for Excellence for their invaluable support to the development of New Juaben and the country.
The institutions were the All Nations University College (ANUC) and the Ghana AIDS Commission, while the individuals were Mr Daniel Awuah-Darko Jnr, Vice-Chairman of Vanguard Assurance Company Limited; Alhaji Razak El-Alawa, a veteran journalist, and Mr Godfred Oppong-Peprah, an inventor.
Several institutions and individuals were also honoured in recognition of the exemplary fulfilment of their corporate social responsibility to the development of New Juaben and the successful celebration of the 2009 Akwantukese Festival.
The 2009 Akwantukese Sponsorship Awards were given in the five categories of Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Bauxite.
The Platinum awards were received by the ANUC, Vanguard Assurance and the Ghana AIDS Commission, while the Gold awards went to Ghana Cocoa Board and Merchant Bank.
The HFC Bank obtained the Silver award, with the Bronze award going to Safety Insurance Limited, the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and the Ghana Commercial Bank Limited.
Three companies and organisations, namely, Linda Dor Restaurant, the Lands Commission and Y&K Enterprise, received the Bauxite award.
Some individuals and organisations also received Certificates of Commendation. They included Cadbury Ghana Limited, Voltic Ghana Limited, Accra Brewery Limited, Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited, Kasapreko Company Limited, Coca-Cola Bottling Company and Nana Kofi Twinin, the Managing Director of Mac-Dic Royal Plaza Hotel, for his contribution to peace and unity in New Juaben.
Presenting the awards, Daasebre Prof. Oti Boateng, who is also the President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, said the commitment and support of the organisations, companies and individuals had enabled the traditional area to “achieve significant progress and greatness”.