THE highly anticipated GUBA Awards made a triumphant return to the United Kingdom after a four-year absence, with an official launch event held at the House of Commons last month.

Founded in 2009 by Lady Dentaa Amoateng, MBE, the GUBA Awards are now celebrating their 14th year of honouring the achievements of the global African diaspora. This launch at the House of Commons was made possible through the unwavering support of MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy.

This year’s launch event was hosted by TV presenter Paul Brunson, star and relationship expert on Celebs Go Dating and Married at First Sight. Attendees included the High Commissioners for Gambia, Ghana, Rwanda, Trinidad and Tobago and Zambia and international DJ and YouTuber DJ Cuppy

Over the past thirteen years, the GUBA Awards have grown immensely, expanding across three continents. It is truly special to bring the awards back to where it all began in London this year.Lady Dentaa

Bell Ribeiro-Addy, MP said: “I am proud to support the GUBA Awards and their mission to celebrate the exceptional contributions of the African diaspora. This event not only recognizes outstanding achievements but also serves as an inspiration for future generations.”

Lady Dentaa Amoateng MBE, President, and CEO of GUBA Enterprise, added: “Over the past thirteen years, the GUBA Awards have grown immensely, expanding across three continents. It is truly special to bring the awards back to where it all began in London this year.”

The 2023 GUBA Awards aim to pay recommendation to historical heroes and heroines under the theme ‘Honoring Beacons of Excellence and Inspiration.’ This theme emphasizes the power of determination and focus, seeking to recognize individuals who persist and demonstrate unwavering courage within their respective fields.

The GUBA Awards, set up by Lady Dentaa, a prominent UK-based Ghanaian TV personality, held their inaugural event in London in October 2009. Notable past award recipients include esteemed figures such as award-winning recording artist Stormzy, politician Lord Paul Boateng and Grammy-Award winner Anjelique Kido.

Originally ingrained to recognize the extraordinary contributions of British-Ghanaians, the GUBA Awards have evolved into a global celebration of the African diaspora. The event has been hosted in various international locations, including the United States in 2019, Ghana in 2021, and Rwanda in 2022. 

In a rebranding move, GUBA now stands for Grow, Unite, Build, Africa and seeks to reward and celebrate excellence and innovation of African individuals and organization’s throughout the diaspora that work towards the advancement, empowerment and progression of the African community.

Meanwhile a special tribute was paid to DJ Abrantee at the launch of the GUBA Awards.

Attending as one of the invited VIP guests, DJ Abrantee was taken aback when Lady Dentaa singled him out during her speech. She paid tribute to a tearful Abrantee, both for his contribution to the music scene and also his determination and fortitude on his road to recovery.  Lady Dentaa also revealed that there would be a special tribute to Abrantee at the forthcoming GUBA Awards ceremony in November.

For decades Abrantee was the only person championing Afrobeats and contemporary African artists helping to popularise the genre which is currently at the peak of its popularity worldwide.
But in August 2017, Abrantee suffered a serious stroke which caused him mobility and speech impairments and was in hospital for over eight months.

It was not until four years later in December 2021, that Abrantee made his first public TV advent since the stroke, when he appeared to present The Best African Act at the MOBO Awards in Coventry.