Stories and facts
Kwame Fordjour, known by several aliases including Wayne Winston, has found himself at the center of a significant controversy linked to his self-styled Global Blueprint Excellence Awards. The controversy emerged after Fordjour, who claims to hold a Ph.D. and presents himself as a Global Ambassador for the United Nations (UN), organized the 7th Global Leadership Service to Humanity Awards on August 28, 2020, where numerous Ghanaian celebrities were honored.
At this event, Fordjour awarded plaques labeled "UN Kofi Annan Excellence Awards" to recipients from various sectors, seemingly implying an association with the UN and the late Kofi Annan. However, subsequent investigations revealed that Fordjour had no legitimate connections to the United Nations or Kofi Annan.
The exposure of these misleading claims ignited a firestorm on social media, sparking widespread discussions about Kwame Fordjour and prompting inquiries into his background. Details about Fordjour's life and history, revealed by acquaintances and childhood companions, shed light on his controversial journey.
Fordjour is known to operate under multiple aliases, including Kwame Owusu Fordjour and Wayne Winston, though his birth name is Emmanuel, and close contacts refer to him as Emma. In his earlier years, he was also recognized by the nickname Wyclef.
Childhood peers recall Fordjour's roots in Kumasi, where he spent his formative years in the Santasi district. While his exact age remains undisclosed, estimates place Fordjour between 37 to 40 years old, based on his completion of secondary education in 2001.
Fordjour attended KNUST Senior High School in Kumasi, graduating in 2001. Despite academic promise, he faced setbacks, scoring poorly in the SSSCE exams (with an aggregate of 24), which limited his access to higher education. He later enrolled at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology before claiming attendance at Harvard University to pursue International Relations.
His academic challenges led Fordjour into questionable activities, including selling WASSCE past questions and facilitating fake admissions to KNUST for a fee in 2001. These actions drew scrutiny from the KNUST admissions committee and an investigation by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), prompting him to leave Kumasi for several years.
After departing from Kumasi, Fordjour's whereabouts remained unclear until reports surfaced of an attempted trip to the United Kingdom, resulting in his deportation from Heathrow Airport.
Despite presenting himself with a Ph.D. and referencing attendance at Harvard University on his awards scheme's website, investigations found no evidence of his affiliation with Harvard. Additionally, Fordjour is known for his musical endeavors, having released tracks such as "Freedom."
In response to mounting scrutiny, Fordjour defended his award initiative in an interview with JoyNews, asserting its authenticity and adherence to established protocols. He also disclosed receiving threats to his life following the awards debacle.
The controversy surrounding Kwame Fordjour underscores the importance of exercising due diligence when evaluating claimed credentials and ventures, serving as a cautionary tale against fraudulent activities in the public domain. As investigations unfold, Fordjour's true motivations and associations remain subjects of intense public scrutiny and debate.
Explore the life of Kwame Fordjour below.
