Celebs, media personalities trolled over fake ‘UN Kofi Annan’ award
It has emerged that the so-called ‘United Nations and Kofi Annan collaborative awards ceremony’ held in Accra last Friday, August 28, 2020, was a scam.
Personalities such as BET award winner, Sarkodie, Berla Mundi, D-Black, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Ebenezer Oduro, and Johnny Hughes received awards from the fake organizers.
The @UnivGh_VC Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu has been presented with a Companion of Global Public Excellence Award for his leadership and vision to humanity by the Global Companion of leadership. https://t.co/AKggthDjDu@univers1057fm @ug_relations @UGAlumniGh @ugbsofficial pic.twitter.com/vFaF9cuAPz
— University of Ghana (@UnivofGh) January 8, 2019
Other personalities include Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), Gospel music group Daughters of Glorious Jesus, and Member of Parliament for Nadowli Kaleo Constituency.
Days after the awards ceremony dubbed the 7th Global Blueprint Excellence Award purportedly held in collaboration with the United Nations and Kofi Annan was a sham.
A man calling himself ‘Dr. Kwame Owusu Fordjour’ has been identified as the brain behind the fraudulent award scheme.
According to the self-acclaimed doctor, the award scheme is the “Most prestigious award from the highest office [of the United Nations]”.
Mr. Owusu Fordjour said due to the coronavirus pandemic, the awards could not be verified with the United Nations.
But he maintained the UN was aware of the awards although staff of the UN are working from home.
Some of the recipients of the award took to their official social media pages to share pictures with their followers while showcasing their awards.
They have since deleted the posts.
Eeeii so the ‘fake is award’? 👀 Akoa yi ay3 madi k3se…. Yenko psalm 121 😭🤣 pic.twitter.com/d7PEurqR3F
— B.You by Berla Mundi (@berlamundi) September 4, 2020
In a statement, Mr. Owusu Fordjour claimed he was the “first Chair and Ambassador to the connection of all country representatives and Diplomats”.
In September 2010, Mr. Owusu Fodjour was arrested for attempting to defraud rural and community banks under the pretext of awarding them the Millennium Achievers’ Gold Award.
Fordjour was alleged to have written a letter to 40 rural and community banks asking them to pay GH¢200 each as participation fee and to submit 10-minutes documentary of their projects to commence publicity on various media networks as a prelude to the event.
Officials of the Association of Rural Banks (ARB) Apex Bank Limited in Accra handed over Fordjour to the police when he went there in response to an invitation to come for further discussion on the project.
Fodjour is also alleged to have duped unsuspecting persons by issuing fake admission letters to them in front of the administration block of KNUST.
Since news of the alleged fake award scheme broke, thousands of social media users have taken to their pages to react to the development.
Let’s give Dr UN a medal for this Kofi Annan award. People dey wey people dey 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/uVBmjaES1r
— Kelvin M. Ashong (@Mawunya_) September 4, 2020
According to some, he is noted for engaging in fraudulent activities.
Many also expressed their shock over how media personalities could fall victim to such a shady scheme when they were supposed to be gatekeepers.
Kwame Fordjour go buy cremation urns ⚱️then accessories from decor shop come give Sark then other dignitaries for Ghana here. mandem has secured his spot on the list of gh greatest scammers of all time i swear. Dr UN 🐐🙌🏼😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/TlmvKns63E
— 𝒘𝒆𝒔𝕋 🌍 (@mrwest_official) September 3, 2020
Journalist : have people tried to reach you after being able to dupe the whole Sarkodie and sarknation and other entities.
Dr UN Fodjour : pic.twitter.com/faIsqYs8iK
— JUST SHERLOCK🎧 (@Ntiamoah_locked) September 3, 2020
List of people scammed / awarded by “Dr. UN”
1. Sarkodie — musician
2. DBlack — musician
3. Berla Mundi — journalist
4. Chairman Wontumi — Politician
5. Nathaniel Atoh — Journalist
6. Cynthia Akwele Lamptey — Ghana Fire Service
7. Hon. Christian Adu Poku — Afigya Kwabre South District
8. Mr. S.k. Boafo — Minerals Commission
9. Hughes — Journalist
10. Hon. Alban Bagbin — Politician
11. Frederick Acheampong – Kessben
12. Ebenezer K. Madugu – Journalist
13. Archbishop Prof Asafo-Adjei. — Doctor
14. Prof Ebenezer Oduro — VC, Legon
15. Natalie Forte — Journalist
16. DJ Black
17. Gloria NAK Commodre Snr
18. Sammy Okine
19. Eleanor Efe Amanor
20. Daughters of Glorious Jesus.
21. Captain Smart
22. Vincent Ekow Assafuah – PRO of Ministry of Education