President John Dramani Mahama has been honoured with the prestigious Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah Africa Leadership Award in recognition of his transformational leadership and efforts to reset critical sectors of Ghana’s economy.
TThe award, which also celebrates leadership aligned with the vision and development philosophy of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, was presented by the West Africa International Press (WAI-Press) in collaboration with the Nkrumah Vision Alive Movement. The ceremony took place at the Jubilee House in Accra on Wednesday.
In a citation, WAI-Press said President Mahama’s return to office has renewed hope among many Ghanaians, particularly the youth, who are seeking practical solutions to the country’s socio-economic challenges. The organisation praised the President’s honesty, integrity and dedication to duty, describing him as a respected statesman both locally and internationally.
According to the citation, President Mahama’s leadership priorities, self-reliance, industrialisation, education, job creation, healthcare, agriculture and improved living standards, reflect the ideals championed by Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
WAI-Press further commended the President for strengthening Ghana’s economy through improved fiscal discipline and stability, noting gains such as an improved credit rating from B+ to B2, increased foreign direct investment inflows, relative stabilisation of the cedi and improved GDP performance.
The citation also highlighted President Mahama’s flagship infrastructure programme, the “Big Push”, describing it as a modern reflection of Nkrumah’s Seven-Year Development Plan. The initiative seeks to fast-track infrastructure development, create jobs and complete stalled projects nationwide.
On foreign policy, WAI-Press noted that President Mahama’s leadership mirrors Nkrumah’s pan-African vision, citing his diplomatic efforts to promote regional unity, including moves to facilitate the return of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger to ECOWAS.
The organisation further disclosed that ECOWAS has unanimously endorsed President Mahama as West Africa’s candidate for Chairperson of the African Union, in recognition of his contributions to Africa and the global community.
The Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah Africa Leadership Award honours individuals across politics, industry, academia and entrepreneurship with outstanding records of achievement. Previous recipients include Burkina Faso’s President Captain Ibrahim Traoré, Professor Paul Kofi Fynn of Wisconsin University College, and legal scholar Dr Yaw Anokye Frimpong.