Yvonne Okoro, Efya Made Ambassadors For Head Of State Awards

Versatile actress and producer Yvonne Okoro and singer Efya Awindor were last Friday, November 14, 2014, unveiled as brand ambassadors for the Head of State Awards Scheme Ghana (Duke of Edinburgh International Award).

The two talented celebrities were unveiled at a cocktail reception held at the Artist Alliance Gallery in Accra.

A section of the guests at the ceremony
Efya and Yvonne Okoro
They will reach out to corporate Ghana and individuals to garner support for the development of young people in Ghana.

Yvonne and Efya were individually presented with ambassadors pin and certificates by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mahama Ayariga, the National Patron of the awards.

Mahama Ayariga was also Special Guest of Honour for the event dubbed, 'The Friends of Head of State Awards'. It is held annually to appreciate individuals who donate voluntarily to support the Awards Scheme.

Mahama Ayariga and Yvonne Okoro at the awards ceremony

The Executive Director of the Awards Scheme, Peter Akai Anum, in a brief introductory speech stated that the two stars were chosen due to their positive influence on young people, adding that the awards aim at reaching out to more young people as it prepares to celebrate fifty years in Ghana in 2017.

He stated that a few other celebrities will be unveiled at a later date to help push the new phase of the Head of State Awards Scheme.

Yvonne Chinyere Okereke Okoro is an actress and a filmmaker. She received four Africa Magic Viewer's Choice Awards (AMVCAs) with her self-produced film, The Contract , one Pan African Best Actress Award, Nigerian Excellence Award, Ghana Movie Award (GMA) Best Actress 2010 and numerous Best Actress nominations at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).

She also promotes humanitarian projects, and is noted for her work with underprivileged children and building a playground for pupils of the Dzorwulu Special School in Accra, Ghana.

Jane Awindor, who performs under the mononym 'Efya', is a Ghanaian singer, songwriter and three time best female vocalist in the Ghana Music Awards.

Efya's emergence on the music scene wasn't until 2006, when she auditioned and came in as a runner-up in Charter House's 'Stars of the Future Talent Hunt . '

Now signed on to One Nation Entertainment, Efya has played countless gigs averaging two or three appearances a week. She has performed with many artistes from all over the world and opened up for major acts such as Chris Brown. She also has collaborations with various artists from all over West Africa, and her songs and talent continue to garner accolades even before the release of her first solo studio effort. Efya has released a collection of already released songs and a few which have never been heard, under the title, ' This Is Not The Album ' (T.I.N.T).