Celebrating the excellent achievements of individuals of African descent in various fields around the globe was the focus of the Grow, Unite, Build Africa (GUBA) 2025 Awards, held under the theme Reclaiming Our Atlantic Destiny: Build. Connect. Renew.
On Wednesday evening, the prestigious GUBA Awards black-tie affair was held for the first time in the Caribbean. The landmark 16th edition took place at the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lords Castle Hotel, and in attendance were President of Barbados, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Prunella Mason; His Majesty Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the King of Ashanti; and Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell.
His Majesty noted that being in Barbados for the GUBA events was a truly historic moment, a physical manifestation of a reunion long overdue.
Speaking on the theme of the event, he said: “As we gather for the 16th edition of GUBA Awards, hosted here in the heart of the Caribbean, for the first time, we are not merely attending a ceremony or an event. We are fulfilling a mission, reclaiming our Atlantic destiny: connect, build and renew.
“We have thus gathered under a powerful and purposeful theme which is not merely a catchy phrase, but our collective mission and our guiding principle for the future. It speaks to a shared resilience, a shared presence of opportunity and a shared future of prosperity that we must actively create together.”
British-Ghanaian actress, entrepreneur, TV presenter, and founder of GUBA Enterprises, Lady Dentaa Amoateng, stressed the importance of African and Caribbean unity, highlighting the need for representation and collaboration in governments, international organisations, boardrooms and businesses globally.”
“Representation is not luxury. It is a responsibility, because when voices are missing from the table, decisions are made without understanding, policies are shaped without context, and opportunities are distributed without equality. Representation ensures that our perspectives, our cultures, our contributions and our challenges are seen and valued . . . . When our people are present in these rooms, the narrative shifts. And when the narrative shifts, justice, inclusion and progress become possible,” Lady Dentaa emphasised.
She thanked all the sponsors and the team at GUBA for making the event a success.
Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados, Dr Kevin Greenidge, was the recipient of the GUBA’s Black Star of Excellence, in the category Vanguard Economic Leadership. He shared how it felt to have received the award.
“I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive the GUBA Award for Economic Leadership. This recognition belongs not to me alone, but to everyone who has been part of my journey, from those who nurtured me as a child, to the educators who believed in me. The mentors who guided me, and the many who continue to pack my parachute today. I share this award with each of you, and I say thank you. Together, we prove that with belief, support, and determination, extraordinary things are possible,” Dr Greenidge said.
Other winners of the GUBA’s Black Star Award last evening included 21-year-old Trinidadian autism activist and founder of Autism Siblings and Friends Network, Maya Kirti-Nanan; Guyanese cricket legend Sir Clive Lloyd (Sporting Excellence & Legacy); Barbadian-born Dr Velma Scantlebury (Transformational Impact in Medicine); Sir Richard Branson (Global Citizenship Icon); Clare Akamanzi (Exceptional Leadership); John Hope Bryant (Global Impact – Investment); Reta Jo Lewis (Global Economic Leadership); Ibrahim Mahama (Impact in Visual Arts), and Derrick Johnson (Global Impact – Civil Rights).
The event also featured performances, including British-Ghanaian singer Fuse ODG, and a TrufacebyGrace fashion show that showcased traditional and contemporary designs telling the Afro-Caribbean story.
Since its inception, the GUBA Awards have been held in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Ghana, and Rwanda. Lady Dentaa hinted at the possibility that, come 2027, the GUBA Awards will return to the Caribbean. (BGIS)
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