SZ Global Communication Ambassador wins prize at short video contest

Video by Francis Kwesi Hagan and Wang Haolan

A short video filmed by Shenzhen Global Communication Ambassador Francis Kwesi Hagan and edited by EyeShenzhen has been awarded a merit prize in the personal category at the 3rd Micro-Video Contest on Global Green Development Stories award ceremony, which was held in Qianhai yesterday.

In early 2024, Hagan visited the Sunon Asogli Power Plant in the Republic of Ghana — Shenzhen Energy Group’s first overseas infrastructure project — and shot videos of his experience. Through touring the facility in person and interviewing staffers, he showed Shenzhen enterprises’ active contributions to advancing clean energy development in participating countries of the China-proposed Belt & Road Initiative (BRI).

“This modern, highly efficient, and environmentally-friendly natural gas -fueled power plant is situated in Kpone, Ghana,” Hagan explained in the video. “Through this project, the company [Shenzhen Energy Group] aims to contribute to the realization of the vision of making Ghana the energy hub of Africa.”

Shenzhen Global Communication Ambassador Francis Kwesi Hagan attends the 3rd Micro-Video Contest on Global Green Development Stories award ceremony in Qianhai yesterday. A short video filmed by him and edited by EyeShenzhen received a merit prize in the personal category. Photos by Wang Haolan

Jointly owned by Shenzhen Energy Group and the China-Africa Development Fund, the facility has helped alleviate intermittent power shortages and load management challenges in Ghana while promoting access to affordable electricity.

“Thanks to Shenzhen investors, people in Ghana are enjoying access to affordable green energy. As one of the Shenzhen ambassadors for global communication, I was actually given the mandate through EyeShenzhen to make a follow-up about one of such projects in my country,” Hagan said. “It is going to be a sort of motivation for me to keep on promoting the relationship China has with African countries as well as the whole world.”

Hagan expressed hope for increased cooperation between China and Africa in the energy sector. “I wish to see more and more African countries gain access to clean energy, which will support the continent’s future,” he said.

Trophies for the 3rd Micro-Video Contest on Global Green Development Stories are displayed ahead of the award ceremony in Qianhai. 

The third edition of the contest — hosted by the Belt and Road Environmental Technology Exchange and Transfer Center (Shenzhen) and organized by Southern Metropolis Daily — received 560 entries from organizations and individuals across 32 countries and regions. A total of 32 awards were presented, including 20 to organizations, 10 to individuals, and two for institutional excellence.

The grand prize went to a documentary created by Shenzhen-based electric motorcycle manufacturer TALIG. The winning film showcased the company’s efforts to promote the adoption of electric motorcycles in Vietnam to address the country’s air pollution problem, which is caused by the excessive use of gas-powered bikes.

Participants and winners of the contest pose for a photo during the award ceremony. 

Launched by EyeShenzhen in June 2023, the Shenzhen Global Communication Ambassadors program has welcomed international participants from diverse backgrounds who share a love for Shenzhen and a passion for sharing their experiences of living and working in the city.

The members, including Hagan, have been dedicated to sharing their Shenzhen stories at events such as the World Internet Conference • Wuzhen Summit, the China International Import Expo (CIIE), the China Hi-Tech Fair, the China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF), and more.