Otabil Voted Most Inﬂuential Ghanaian

Pastor Mensa Anamuah Otabil, founder of both International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) and Central University College (CUC), has been adjudged Ghana's most influential personality for 2015.

He is closely followed by the founder of Ashesi University, Patrick Awuah, popular investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas and New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in an award instituted by e.TV Ghana – a private television station – to honour personalities who distinguished themselves in their services to the country.

Past winners were Peter Cardinal Appiah Turkson (2010), Joseph Siaw Agyapong, CEO of Jospong Group of Companies – the parent company of Zoomlion (2011), Roland Agambire, founder of the Agams Group of Companies (2012) and Nana Akufo-Addo (2013).

The 2015 list, which is made up of politicians, the clergy, footballers, business people, traditional rulers and journalists, released live on e.TV Ghana's 'State of the Nation' current affairs programme on Wednesday, saw President John Dramani Mahama placing 14^th.

The award has been designed such that the top 20 out of 100 most influential personalities are listed for special recognition.

The List
According to e.TV Ghana, other nominees apart from Pastor Mensa Otabil, included former President J.A Kufuor, Beige Capital's Mike Nyinaku, Bright Simons, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, Lawyer Ace Ankomah and Rev. Father Campbell.

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Other personalities who also found their names on the top 20 list are journalist Manasseh Awuni Azure, Kasapreko's Dr. Kwabena Adjei, IGP John Kudalor, banker Prince Kofi Amoabeng, businessman Osei Kwame Despite, women's rights activist Gifty Anti, former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and Bishop Charles Agyin Asare.

Managing Director of Global Media Alliance Broadcast Company (GMABC), operators of e.TV Ghana, Akwasi Agyeman, said that the GMI had over the years grown to become the most sought-after platform for identifying and rewarding individuals who had contributed immensely to the growth of the country in diverse ways.

“We at e.TV Ghana will continue to encourage individuals to be selfless in their efforts to make this country a better place. When we started the awards the public seemed more concerned about nominating people who are in the frontline and see a lot in the media, but as the awards have grown, we notice that the nominations have varied and the level of influence people allude to have also been a lot pronounced. You will notice for example that some of the names we have here are not exactly the type we hear of in mainstream media,” he underscored.

He added, “A lot of work has gone into preparing for this very important awards; we are aware of how expectant the general public is to know who the Most Influential Ghanaians are for the year 2015 and that is why we have been very meticulous in this whole process. For us at e.TV therefore, this awards ceremony is one of the many ways we can contribute to the development of this nation by recognizing and rewarding the men and women who shaped opinions that have in many ways contributed to the growth of our nation,” Mr. Agyeman stated.

Kwame Gyan, head of Corporate Communications & Brand Marketing at GMABC, said that e.TV was proud to have continued with the yearly awards scheme.

“Recognizing hard work, positive influence and acts of patriotism tilted towards national development is very important for the GMI scheme and we are super excited to be contributing towards the forward growth of this nation,” he said.

This year's awards ceremony has been scheduled for Thursday, June 30, and will be the 6th edition.