Bravo Shoes Community Support Organization (BSC) has been awarded the Excellence in Community Service Award at the 5th edition of the Mentorship and Volunteerism Excellence (MVE) Awards. This prestigious ceremony took place on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT.
Held under the theme “Tech-driven Future: Mentoring the Next Generation,” the event recognized individuals and organizations that have made remarkable contributions to mentoring and volunteerism both in Ghana and beyond.
In his message, Yesigye Brian Bravo the Executive Director of BSC said that the award is the reflection of the organisation’s vision to support vulnerable children in different communities in Uganda.
“As the organisation, we committed ourself to support children by taking them back to school when their parents can’t afford. We have impacted quite a number of these children (boys and girls) hailing from all the 5 regions in Uganda. We have a huge responsibility of taking care of them and we ask the public to come and partner with us,” Bravo said.
The awards ceremony was the culmination of efforts aimed at promoting a culture of volunteering and mentoring across the country. It followed the National Mentoring Day, celebrated on July 18th, in honor of the legacy of Nelson Mandela, and coincided with the GhanaThink Foundation’s commemoration of National Volunteers Day, marking the legacy of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
In a powerful video address, Dr. C.J. Buckman, Chairman of Captain Foundation, underscored the importance of collective action in mentorship and volunteerism.
“Today’s complexities demand a shared responsibility to empower the next generation,” he remarked. “As we navigate the uncharted waters of disruptive technologies, mentorship is crucial for cultivating visionary leaders.” His speech ended with an inspiring call to action, encapsulated by his motto: *Each One, Reach One, Mentor One*.
The event’s guest of honor, Her Excellency Fidelia Graand-Galon, Ambassador of Suriname to Ghana, delivered a motivational speech on the value of believing in Ghana and fostering mentoring partnerships.
She stressed the importance of collaboration between the private sector, government, and civil society in providing mentorship opportunities for young people, while also fostering homegrown talent, innovation, and creativity.
Mr. Atsu George Geraldo de Lima, CEO of the Captain Foundation and organizer of the event, highlighted that the MVE Awards have been pivotal in promoting a culture of excellence and social impact through mentorship and volunteerism.
“Celebrating five years of honoring exceptional mentorship and volunteerism in Ghana sets a high standard for others to emulate,” he said. He further explained that this milestone solidifies the MVE Awards as a reputable platform in Ghana’s mentoring and volunteerism space.
The 5th edition of the MVE Awards featured a panel discussion with industry experts and government officials who shared insights on the growing importance of mentorship, especially in a tech-driven future. Attendees included volunteers, entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders from across different sectors.
In addition to Bravo Shoes Community Support Organization’s win, other notable awardees included:
– Volunteer Group of the Year – GhanaThink Foundation
– Volunteer Organization of the Year – Rotaract Ghana
– Youth Volunteer Program – Joshua Opoku Agyemang, IoT Africa & Ghana STEM Network
– Excellence in Mentoring – Maudlyn Akosua Awuku, Anijie Global Foundation/GEWE Network UK
– Social Entrepreneur of the Year – Kobina Adomadzi Longdon, TechFarm Hub
– Corporate Mentor of the Year – Ekow Mensah, Ekow Mensah Consulting
The event concluded with renewed calls for the development of sustainable mentorship and volunteerism initiatives that will shape future generations.
This memorable event was made possible through partnerships with ICS Africa Limited, Springfield Events, Charles Buckman Foundation, and Mentoring Africa 101.
