The Heroes of Liberty Dinner and Awards Night (HOLDA 2024), held at Aya HQ in Abokobi-Accra, marked the beginning of an important annual tradition that honors individuals and organizations that promote liberty in Ghana. The inaugural edition was not just a celebration of greatness, but also a chance to give back to the community. Earlier in the day, participants visited the House of Mercy Orphanage Home in Abokobi, where the YAFO Institute provided genuine support to caregivers dedicated to caring for orphans with special needs. This thoughtful gift set the tone for an evening full of inspiration, thanks, and recognition.
The objective of the event, as its name implies, was to honor those who helped spread the libertarian movement and make the Liberty Star shine brightly. These individuals were regarded as heroes and were appropriately honored and acknowledged as such. Staff from YAFO, as well as representatives from Ladies Network for Economic Freedom (LANEF), Ladies of Liberty Alliance (LOLA), and Student for Liberty Ghana, were among those in attendance. In addition, Eric Coffie from the ILEE Policy Institute, Mr. Ebenezer Yamusah, CEO of the Conservative Policy Research Center, Mr. Charles Fiifi Hagan from the Chayil Darar Institute, and a few other distinguished visitors were in attendance.
The occasion was followed by the recognition and awards of several deserving personnel and volunteers whose contributions to the YAFO Institute have had a significant impact this year. Other organizations that supported the institute were also honored and recognized. The complete list of winners in the various award categories is as follows:
- Staff of the year – Joshua Larweh Tetteh
- Liberty Star Award – Richard Nyarko
- Best Team of the Year – Policy Scholars Team
- Most Active Team Member – Hillary Esa Agbanaglo
- Excellent Team Leader – Asamoah Isaac Eli
- Outstanding Policy Scholar – Justine Guodolima Kankpeyeng
- Fundraising Champion – Nathaniel Dwamena
- Dedicated Staff – Philip Kwami Attakpah
Organizations and individuals who were specially recognized and honored with the Liberty Legend Award for their work towards the advancement of liberty in Ghana and their unwavering to the YAFO Institute include Mr. Franklin Cudjoe of the Imani Center for Policy and Education, Mr. Ebenezer Yamusah of Conservative Policy Research Center, and Prof. Enoch Opoku Antwi, founder, Enoch Servant Leadership Foundation.
The Sikaman Times was honored with the Impactful Media Partnership Award for being a vital partner in spreading the good news of liberty. The former National Coordinator of Student for Liberty Ghana, Ms. Sherifatu Mohammed Sherriff was also honored with the Youth in Liberty Advocacy Award for her zeal and tenacity in promoting civil liberty among the youth. Also, Ms. Judy Osei Owusu was honored with the Champion of Change Award for being an esteemed and kind donor.
After the awards, the Liberty Sphere 2025 was launched. This is a policy training and conference to educate activists, students, and change-makers on the principles of liberty and empower participants to present a project that will advance tenets of liberty in the Ghanaian society. This would be an opportunity for all and sundry to foster the promotion of ideas of a free and prosperous society.
Mr. Nathaniel Dwamena, President of the YAFO Institute highlighted the upcoming Liberty Anansesem book launch for the book “Yonatan Gullible Akwantuo – A Free Market Odyssey”. This book has been translated into Asante Twi by the YAFO Institute. According to him, the purpose of this book is to help the young Ghanaian generation understand libertarian philosophies in their mother tongue through stories at their level.
Toward the end of the dinner, Mr. Asamoah Isaac Eli moderated a panel discussion with Ms. Angela Okai-Nartey, (LOLA), Ms. Sherrifatu Mohammed Sherriff, (Student for Liberty Ghana), and Mr. Eric Coffie being the speakers. The panel discussion was on advancing liberty in Ghana. During the discourse, the panel agreed that a constructive and reformed education.
Article by
Hillary Esa Agbanaglo
