The mozambique High commissioner UK Hon. A. GUMENDE
Time : 10.30 am
JOACHIM CHISANO OF MOZAMBIQUE WINS IT
Mo Ibrahim
Hon Kofi Annan
Dr Ann Robinson
Dr Salim Ahmed Salim Joaquim Chissano wins the largest prize in the world
Kofi Annan announces the former President of Mozambique as the winner of the Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership
Joaquim Chissano, the former President of Mozambique, has been announced today as the winner of the inaugural Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership. The largest individual award in the world, it comprises:
• US$5 million over 10 years and US$200,000 annually for life thereafter• Up to US$200,000 a year for 10 years towards the winner’s public interest activities and good causes
Announcing the Laureate in front of an audience of London’s African diplomatic community, civil society representatives and the media, Kofi Annan, the Chair of the Prize Committee, said that “President Chissano’s achievements in bringing peace, reconciliation, stable democracy and economic progress to his country greatly impressed the committee. So, too, did his decision to step down without seeking the third term the constitution allowed.”
Praising his Government’s economic progress, poverty reduction programmes, infrastructure development and work to tackle HIV/AIDS, Kofi Annan stated that “it is his role in leading Mozambique from conflict to peace and democracy that President Chissano has made his most outstanding contribution.” He also commended President Chissano for his “major contribution outside his country’s borders” which included providing “a powerful voice for Africa on the international stage”.
Kofi Annan stated that “the Prize celebrates more than just good governance. It celebrates leadership. The ability to formulate a vision and to convince others of that vision; and the skill of giving courage to society to accept difficult changes in order to make possible a longer term aspiration for a better, fairer future.”
The annual Prize has been established by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, launched in October 2006 as an African initiative to strengthen governance in Africa. The winner was selected by the Prize Committee of six eminent individuals who assessed every sub-Saharan African leader who has left office in the last three full calendar years on their exercise of leadership.
The Committee drew on research from the recently published Ibrahim Index of African Governance, and a range of other sources, to assess the quality of governance in the areas of economic and social development, peace and security, human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The Prize aims to encourage leaders who fully dedicate their tenure of office to surmount the development challenges of their countries, improving the livelihoods and welfare of their people and consolidating the foundation for sustainable development.
On hearing the outcome of the Prize Committee’s deliberations, Mo Ibrahim, the founder of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Joaquim Chissano has been selected as the first Laureate. As a man who has reconciled a divided nation and built the foundations for a stable, democratic and prosperous future for the country, he is a role-model not just for Africa, but for the rest of the world.”
The objective of the Gathering of Africa's Best, is to showcase the Best of Africa and Africans in the UK.
Africans are making a mark and contributing to nation building in all areas of human endeavour but have not attracted the positive recognition deserved.
A number of distinguished sons and daughters of Africa who have contributed to the positive image of the UK African community will be receivied awards at the event.
Kofi Annan announces the former President of Mozambique as the winner of the Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership
Joaquim Chissano, the former President of Mozambique, has been announced today as the winner of the inaugural Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership. The largest individual award in the world, it comprises:
• US$5 million over 10 years and US$200,000 annually for life thereafter• Up to US$200,000 a year for 10 years towards the winner’s public interest activities and good causes
Announcing the Laureate in front of an audience of London’s African diplomatic community, civil society representatives and the media, Kofi Annan, the Chair of the Prize Committee, said that “President Chissano’s achievements in bringing peace, reconciliation, stable democracy and economic progress to his country greatly impressed the committee. So, too, did his decision to step down without seeking the third term the constitution allowed.”
Praising his Government’s economic progress, poverty reduction programmes, infrastructure development and work to tackle HIV/AIDS, Kofi Annan stated that “it is his role in leading Mozambique from conflict to peace and democracy that President Chissano has made his most outstanding contribution.” He also commended President Chissano for his “major contribution outside his country’s borders” which included providing “a powerful voice for Africa on the international stage”.
Kofi Annan stated that “the Prize celebrates more than just good governance. It celebrates leadership. The ability to formulate a vision and to convince others of that vision; and the skill of giving courage to society to accept difficult changes in order to make possible a longer term aspiration for a better, fairer future.”
The annual Prize has been established by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, launched in October 2006 as an African initiative to strengthen governance in Africa. The winner was selected by the Prize Committee of six eminent individuals who assessed every sub-Saharan African leader who has left office in the last three full calendar years on their exercise of leadership.
The Committee drew on research from the recently published Ibrahim Index of African Governance, and a range of other sources, to assess the quality of governance in the areas of economic and social development, peace and security, human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The Prize aims to encourage leaders who fully dedicate their tenure of office to surmount the development challenges of their countries, improving the livelihoods and welfare of their people and consolidating the foundation for sustainable development.
On hearing the outcome of the Prize Committee’s deliberations, Mo Ibrahim, the founder of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Joaquim Chissano has been selected as the first Laureate. As a man who has reconciled a divided nation and built the foundations for a stable, democratic and prosperous future for the country, he is a role-model not just for Africa, but for the rest of the world.”
GAB AWARDS
The Gathering of Africa's Best is an exhibition of excellence hosted by The Trumpet - Britain's largest-distributed Black publication.
The Gathering of Africa's Best is an exhibition of excellence hosted by The Trumpet - Britain's largest-distributed Black publication.
The objective of the Gathering of Africa's Best, is to showcase the Best of Africa and Africans in the UK.
Africans are making a mark and contributing to nation building in all areas of human endeavour but have not attracted the positive recognition deserved.
A number of distinguished sons and daughters of Africa who have contributed to the positive image of the UK African community will be receivied awards at the event.
