George Quaye Bags Top Honour at Mfantsipim@150

Events architect, broadcaster and creative entrepreneur George Quaye has won the Distinguished Alumnus Award for Arts and Cultural Excellence at the Mfantsipim School 150th Anniversary Awards Night held at the Grand Arena in Accra over the weekend.

Quaye, who attended the ceremony in his official capacity as master of ceremonies (MC), had no idea that he would leave the Grand Arena in Accra not just as the voice behind the evening’s celebrations but also as one of its celebrated personalities.

The event, held over the weekend as part of activities marking 150 years of Mfantsipim School, took an unexpected turn when his name was announced as the sole nominee and winner in the Arts and Cultural Excellence category.

For a man who had arrived prepared to announce other people’s achievements, becoming the subject of the announcement was a twist he never saw coming.

Recounting the experience, Quaye described his initial disbelief and the unexpected turn of events in a social media post.

“I arrived at the Grand Arena, dressed and prepped as MC for the Mfantsipim 150th Anniversary Awards Night. An award? Nope! Not in my wildest imagination! I knew I had been nominated in a category or two. But you see, Mfantsipim is a breeding ground for brilliance… a house of tremendous talent and many stars. To imagine that I would outshine such an illustrious company would have been a rather ambitious flight of fancy,” Quaye recounted.

He added: “But then, life loves a good plot twist, doesn’t it? There it was! My name. GEORGE QUAYE!!! Sole nominee and winner of the Distinguished Alumnus – Arts and Cultural Excellence Award. I had come to announce the winners. I never imagined I would be announcing me!”

The recognition celebrates Quaye’s contribution to Ghana’s creative arts industry over more than two decades, with a career spanning theatre, radio, television, film, advertising, live events and cultural advocacy.

His journey across these creative spaces has made him a familiar figure in the country’s entertainment and events industry, where his work has contributed to the promotion and development of local talent and creative productions.

Reflecting on the honour, Quaye described it as a humbling reminder that dedication and consistency can eventually attract recognition, even when it is least expected.

“Do your work, sow your seeds, leave the applause to posterity. Sometimes, the harvest finds you when you least expect it.”

He also expressed gratitude to Mfantsipim School and the entire MOBA fraternity, saying his cup “runneth over.”

Beyond the professional recognition, the award carried a deeply personal meaning for Quaye, who dedicated it to his late brother and friend, Fred Akowuah. He credited Akowuah with igniting his passion for the arts, making the honour a tribute to someone who played a significant role in shaping his creative journey.

The awards night formed part of Mfantsipim School’s year-long celebration of its 150th anniversary. Founded in 1876 by the Methodist Church, the institution holds the distinction of being Ghana’s first secondary school.

The celebration also recognised old boys whose achievements reflect the school’s motto, Dwen Hwe Kan, meaning ‘Think and Look Ahead’.

Other notable recipients included Frank Ivan Adama Tackie, Mr Alex Dade, the KGL Group, the Multimedia Group and Geddy Laryea.