Report by Apeke Rosemary-14/04/2024
Former Ghanaian President, John Dramani Mahama, was honored with the prestigious African Advancement Award for Exemplary Leadership at the 2024 African Heritage Awards Ceremony held in Lagos, Nigeria. Organized by the Heritage Times of Nigeria, the event serves as a platform to celebrate influential African leaders, innovators, and organizations driving the continent towards progress and prosperity.
Chaired by former Botswana President Dr. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, the ceremony marked the second edition of the awards, following its inaugural event in Kigali, Rwanda, in 2023. Mahama’s recognition came with a citation applauding his strategic economic initiatives and significant infrastructure projects aimed at tackling economic challenges and enhancing livelihoods across various sectors.
In his acceptance speech, Mahama expressed gratitude for the honor, stating, “I’m inspired by this award because not everybody gets the chance or the opportunity to be president twice.” Reflecting on his tenure, he acknowledged both successes and shortcomings, emphasizing the importance of learning from past experiences to drive positive change. “It is what gives an opportunity that you are able to reflect over these last eight years on things that you did well and things that you didn’t do so well and get an opportunity to come and make those things better,” Mahama remarked.
Among his notable achievements highlighted in the citation were efforts to alleviate power shortages and stimulate job creation through agricultural expansion. Additionally, Mahama was commended for his commitment to Ghana’s democratic principles, particularly for peacefully transferring power to his successor following the 2016 general elections.
Mahama’s recognition was part of a series of honors bestowed upon distinguished African figures at the ceremony. Other notable recipients included HE Mama Rachael Ruto, First Lady of Kenya and Founder of Mama Doing Good Organization, and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The African Heritage Awards continue to serve as a beacon of inspiration, celebrating the visionaries shaping Africa’s future and fostering continental unity and progress. With leaders like John Dramani Mahama at the forefront, the continent stands poised for even greater achievements in the years to come.
