By Jerromie S. Walters
Consistent with its norms, the Liberia Crusaders for Peace, flag bearer of the prestigious Golden Image Award (GIA), recentlyawarded Mr. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Member of Parliament, Assin Central, Republic of Ghana.
Mr. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong was honored at a formal ceremony on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at the headquarters of the Liberia Crusaders of Peace, Capital Bye Pass, Liberia. He was awarded the “Menratorials Leadership Award” in the international category of the Golden Image Award.
Amb. Juli Endee, the lead Organizer of the prestigious award acknowledged that this year’s award was successfully executed, but considering that some awardees were unable to attend the main event, they had to organize another one to afford them the opportunity.
Providing an overview of the occasion, Ambassador Juli Endee said GIA is intended to recognize the achievements of individuals and institutions that have made sacrificial contributions to the social and economic development of the country and their recognition should inspire others to make the needful impact in society.
Since the award was endorsed by former president Sirleaf, the LCP has held 13 editions. Amb. Endee emphasized that the award has nine categories, which include Education Development, Health, humanity and human rights, and journalism.
From his end, the awardee, Mr. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong acclaimed the LCP for the award. “A big thank you lady Juli, the organizers, my chief, I don’t know what to say, I’m short of words.” He adds, “I will reciprocate your gesture.”
Mr. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong also presented $USD1,000 to the Liberia Crusaders for Peace (LCP) and a pledged to make available a brand new generator for the institution (LCP).
As the National Council of Chiefs and Elders of Liberia (NCCEL) also honored Mr. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong and gave him a traditional name, Chief Zanzan, the Head NCCEL termed the Council’s honor upon him as a blessing. He says the name given to the honoree, in Bassa, means “he stands as the tallest of all trees in the forest” and it originates from Grand Bassa County, District #2.
Founded in September 2010 by the Liberia Crusaders for Peace and the Visionary Juli Endee, the GIA has grown into a premier national event and has been officially captured as part of the Independence Day activities in Liberia, with President Weah as the Convener and Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as the Face behind the Golden image.
According to the Golden Image Secretariat, the most merited individuals, organizations; governments, and donor institutions that have made the most contributions to peace, sanity, and the transformation of Liberia over the years are being selected through an intensive vetting process and recognized for their enormous contributions to peace in Liberia and the world.
The awardees of the 13th GIA were drawn from three levels, three from the County level, four from the national Level, and four from the International Level. Liberia Foreign Minister Dee Maxwell Saah Kimayah and Deputy House Speaker Fonati Kofa are some of the recipients of the 13th edition of the GIA Award.
GIA 2023 last recipients are: KarwoUdou Cole (alias Bucky Raw), in the Act and Culture category, was awarded the National Musical lcon Award.
Madam Deddeh Kwekwe, in the category of Advocacy, she was awarded the Women’s
Champion Award. Moth. Leamu K. Ciapha, in the category of SERVICE, she got the (National Patriots Award. Mark A. Townsand, in the Humanity category, sealed the National Humanitarian Award.
Others are: Rev. Veronica W. Smith, Humanity, Humanitarian Award. Ms. Facia Haris, Leadership, got the GIA Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Courage Award, Dewirt VonBallmoose, in the category of Leadership, he secured the Leadership Award. Hon. Clr. DeweyE. Gray, Human rights, he sealed the Advocate for Justice Award. Elder ShamaYah Samuel
Yasharahla (Valerlon O. Farr, of the USA, he was placed in the Development category and he secured African International Development Award.
