Former President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, has been honored with the prestigious 2024 Africa Advancement Award for Exemplary Leadership. The accolade was bestowed upon him at the African Heritage Awards (AHA) 2024 event held in Lagos, Nigeria, on Saturday, April 13.
Mahama’s recognition stems from his significant contributions to Ghana’s democracy and his peaceful transfer of power to his successor following his defeat in the 2016 general elections. The award underscores his unwavering commitment to democratic principles and his dedication to fostering stability and progress within the nation.
Mr. Moses Siasia, Chairman of Heritage Times and organizer of the awards, emphasized the importance of celebrating outstanding achievements by Africans, both on the continent and in the diaspora. The event aimed to honor individuals who have excelled in various fields, including business, politics, philanthropy, entertainment, arts, culture, science, technology, and social innovation.
Among the nominees for the award were prominent figures such as African-American billionaire philanthropist Robert F. Smith, former President of Liberia HE Dr. George Weah, First Lady of Kenya & Founder of Mama Doing Good Organization HE Mama Rachael Ruto, and Director-General of the World Trade Organization Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
During the ceremony, Mahama expressed gratitude for the honor and dedicated it to the team that supported him during his tenure as President. Reflecting on the challenges faced by Ghana during his leadership, including power and economic crises, Mahama highlighted the importance of innovative thinking in navigating through difficult times.
“I’m inspired by this award because not everybody gets the chance or the opportunity to be president twice,” Mahama stated. “Incidentally, I’m standing for elections again, it is what gives me an opportunity to reflect over these last eight years on things that you did well and things that I didn’t do so well and get an opportunity to come and make those things better.”
Mahama reiterated his commitment to using the lessons learned from his previous term in office to strive for improvement and progress in his future endeavors, particularly as he prepares for upcoming elections.
The Africa Advancement Award for Exemplary Leadership serves as a testament to Mahama’s enduring legacy and his ongoing dedication to the advancement of Ghana and the African continent as a whole.