The sign read loud and clear as Konnect Africa’s Editors, Jennifer Eneanya and Lovelyn Okafor made their way into Osu, Accra for the long-awaited Winners Luncheon of the ‘I Know a Ghanaian Star’ Online Writing Competition, 2014 edition.
Jennifer Nkem-Eneanya [R] and Lovelyn Okafor [L]
Scheduled for 12pm at the Buka Restaurant, Osu, we had the luxury of spending quality time learning a bit about the history of this beautiful West African country; a drive through town and a foray at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park ensured that we took something from Ghana back home with us; -in my case, it was a mango fruit planted by Nelson Mandela at the Memorial Park! I plan to embalm it!
At the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial ParkJennifer and Lovelyn @ the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park
It was such a huge pleasure to finally meet the winners: Mabel Blankson, Naa Achere and Umar Nazir; as well as our Ghanaian Associate –the amiable Charles Mensah. Unfortunately, the Judges Jemila Abdulai and Nana Awere Damaoh were- to use a cliché- unavoidably absent.
Mabel Blankson and Jennifer [T], Lovelyn and Naa Achere [L], Naa Achere and Mabel Blankson [R]L-R :Jennifer Nkem-Eneanya, Frank Addai, Charles Mensah, Mabel Blankson, Naa Achere, and Umar Nazir.
We partook of the famed Ghanaian hospitality and had a blast exchanging information, advice, goals and the peculiarities of West Africa’s nation states. The camaraderie was instant and exciting; I can’t wait to see these amazing young people again!
Lunch:
The menu was interesting; with strange sounding names like Ampesi, Banku and Kontonmire. Ever adventurous, I ventured into the world of Ampesi and Goat Meat Stew- delicious, I tell you! – We wined and dined and all too soon, it was time to move onto the moment the winners had been waiting for…
L-R: Umar Nazir, Mabel Blankson and Jennifer Nkem-Eneanya share anecdotes as they dine.Lovelyn Okafor and Naa Achere; Bon Appetit!
Prize-Giving!
The excited winners proudly brandished their trophies and struck as many poses as we could conjure. To quote Mabel Blankson, “#HARDWORKPAYS!” The first prize winner won a Samsung Note 10.1 2014 edition and our tech-inclined second and third prize winners bagged the Samsung Tab 3.7.1.
First Prize Winner, Mabel BlanksonSecond Prize Winner, Naa AchereThird Prize Winner: Umar Nazir
Huge Smiles Everywhere! Behold the winners of the ‘I Know a Ghanaian Star’ Competition! L-R: Umar Nazir, Mabel Blankson and Naa AchereA Winning Team! L-R: Jennifer Nkem-Eneanya, Umar Nazir, Mabel Blankson, Naa Achere and Lovelyn Okafor
We at Konnect Africa are immeasurably proud of our winners and glad that this competition has glided to a successful close; for Ghana at least. The ‘I Know a Nigerian Star’ competition promises even bigger and better things, so stay tuned: October will soon come calling! And of course, Ghana, get set for 2015!
L-R: Jennifer Nkem-Eneanya, Charles Mensah and Lovelyn Okafor.
Our heartfelt gratitude goes out, to Charles Mensah who pointed us in the right direction, to our affable judges Jemila and Nana, faithful to the end, to all those who submitted articles –you are stars!-, the winners who took out the time and resource to participate and our guest Frank Addai. Thank you so much for assisting us to birth a pan-African dream!
One More Picture for the Road! L-R: Charles Mensah, Jennifer Nkem-Eneanya, Umar Nazir, Mabel Blankson, Naa Achere, Lovelyn Okafor; behind the lens: Francis Addai
Keep celebrating African stars, Africans! Agreed, it is not yet uhuru, but let us never forget that it take but one man-you- to start the change that you want to see!
Africa is Rising…despite Ebola!
Till next year Charleys! In the words of Kwame Nkrumah,
“We look neither East nor West; we only look FORWARD!!!”
5 Things You Didn't Know About Jennifer in 2015:
1. Her newest collection of short stories, 'The Curious Case of the Small Pikin & Other Stories' is available on okadabooks.com
2. She ported from Blogger to WordPress and shares her uncensored thoughts on jennyuncensored.wordpress.com
3. She is an aspiring Filmmaker & Talk-show Host[ess]
4. She's a mother of two, wife of one and daughter of God.
5. She plans to travel around the world in less than 80 days...
Now you Know!
Find me on Twitter: @jennynkem
![Mabel Blankson and Jennifer [T], Lovelyn and Naa Achere [L], Naa Achere and Mabel Blankson [R]](https://i0.wp.com/kadigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Jennifer-and-1.jpg?resize=403%2C403)
Fantastic to see. Well done to KA & the winners.