GONG GONG AWARDS TO BE BETTER POSITIONED WITH NEW GONG GONG BOARD INAUGURATED

In a move signaling a new era of strategic governance, the Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG) formally inaugurated the Gong Gong Awards Board on Thursday 11th December at the Airport West Hotel. The historic swearing-in ceremony of the 10-member board marks a decisive step toward refining the nation’s premier creative awards and amplifying Ghana’s voice in the international advertising and creative ecosystem.

 

The event drew a gathering of industry stakeholders, media, and dignitaries who witnessed the board members take their oath of office. With its diverse composition spanning academia, media, agencies, and client-side leadership, the board was tasked to bring fresh perspective and rigorous standards into the awards framework.

 

In his inaugural address, Andrew Ackah, CEO of Dentsu Ghana and the President of Advertising Association of Ghana, framed the board’s mission in ambitious terms. “This is not merely an administrative body,” Mr. Ackah stated. “Our collective mandate is to elevate the Gong Gong Awards to international benchmarks, ensuring they become a true beacon of excellence that recognizes and rewards the phenomenal talent within Ghana’s creative sector.”

 

The newly constituted board represents a cross-section of industry heavyweights:

 

Guiding the academic perspective is Dr. Mrs. Linda Narh, a Lecturer and Coordinator at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA).

 

The media realm is represented by Afeafa Nfojoh, General Manager of Adesa Productions Ltd.

 

The agency and creative industry cohort features a roster of leaders: Russel Eni (Insel Communications), Grace Adzo Andoh (Art Excel), Anand Badami (Publicis West Africa), Nicolette Amaeshi (Pulse GH), Justin Darkwa (Rezultz Advertising), and Russell Banful (Brandflow).

 

Representing the client-side is Lasisi Andre Tayo Jnr, Head of Brand, Marketing Communications & Events at Telecel.

 

The inauguration program blended ceremony with clarity of purpose, featuring opening remarks, the formal swearing-in, and focused discussions on the board’s forthcoming responsibilities. While the group has yet to hold its first working session, the event unequivocally established their role as the custodians of the awards’ integrity and future trajectory.

The establishment of the Gong Gong Awards Board is widely seen as a direct response to the rapid growth and increasing sophistication of Ghana’s creative economy. By installing a body dedicated to governance, excellence, and global relevance, the AAG aims not only to enhance the prestige of the awards but also to catalyze broader industry innovation and professional development.

With this new governing engine now in place, the Ghanaian creative sector watches with anticipation, expecting the Gong Gong Awards to transform into a more powerful platform that celebrates local genius while demanding world-class quality.

 

Publicis, EchoHouse, and Others Sweep Awards at the17th Gong Gong Festival of Creativity & Awards

The 17th Gong Gong Festival of Creativity & Awards, by the Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG), climaxed on Saturday, June 28th, 2025. The entire festival of creativity and awards was more than an award ceremony — it was a celebration of ideas, culture, and bold industry impact. The Gong Gong festival began with an inter-agency fun game that ramped up a lot of excitement and energy across the industry, and it climaxed with the awards dinner night at the Adesa Pavilion of Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra. The awards dinner night brought together Ghana’s top advertising and media minds, culminating in high recognitions for agencies like Publicis Ghana, EchoHouse Insel Communications, Ogilvy, Rezultz Advertising, Innova DBB, Pulse Ghana, Primetime, EXP, and a host of others.

Publicis West Africa, EchoHouse, and EXP Ghana, which won the three available platinum awards for the year. From the red carpet glam to groundbreaking campaign showcases, this year’s Gong Gong Awards set a clear standard for creativity and excellence in the industry.

  1. Creative Brilliance was on Full Display as Publicis Ghana was crowned Creative Agency of the Year, taking home a whopping 16 awards, including: 1 Platinum,7 Gold, 6 Silver, and 2 Bronze. Their performance showed that data-led creativity and culturally aligned messaging are still effective tools for advertising.  
  2. Media Innovation Mattered More Than Ever- and EchoHouse won the grand prix in that sector as they were awarded Media Agency of the Year, and walked away with 11 awards, including 1 Platinum, 2 Gold, 5 Silver, and 3 Bronze. Their youthful, culturally-driven content strategies continue to shape the next wave of media consumption in Ghana.
  3. Experiential is evolving and highly competitive, but EXP Ghana took home the Experiential Agency of the Year title, highlighting the growing demand for immersive, real-world brand experiences that go beyond screen-based storytelling.

Moments That Defined the Night

To truly understand the vibe of the night, a photo gallery says it all. From the stunning setup to the proud smiles of winners holding their trophies, each image captured the energy and pride of the industry.

 

[https://manuelphotographytm.pixieset.com/gonggongawards2025/#

 

Every year brings something new — this time, it was the clear shift towards performance-based recognition. Agencies weren’t just awarded for creativity, but for results, impact, and message clarity. It marked a turning point for how success is measured in the industry.

The stage design and production also raised the bar, showing that even local events can deliver world-class presentations. Events like this don’t happen in isolation. AAG extends its gratitude to all the sponsors, supporting brands, production teams, jury panel, and agencies who made the event what it was. Your contributions made this a night to remember — and a night that will inspire many more.

What This Means for Ghana’s Creative Industry

The 17th Gong Gong Awards reminded us that Ghana’s advertising industry is not just surviving — it’s thriving. With the rise of young talent, expanding digital platforms, and conversations around tech like AI in advertising, the future is full of promise.

Events like these are more than celebrations; they’re milestones that inspire future greatness.

The Gong Gong Awards continue to be more than just trophies — they are a mirror of how far we’ve come, and a light for where we’re headed. Here’s to pushing boundaries, telling better stories, and building an industry rooted in creativity, excellence, and collaboration.