By Francis Kwabena Cofie
About 70 top tier leaders and entrepreneurs across Africa have been honored at the African Leadership and Entrepreneurship Conference/ Award and Peace Summit at a ceremony at the British Council in Accra.
Awardees were drawn from Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Guinea Bissau, Egypt, Rwanda among a host of other countries.
The event, which is the maiden edition seeks to identify and recognize worthy trade counterparts and cross-border investment partners for enterprise and institutions within the African continent and between Africa and other continents of the world.
A key criterion for selecting the awardees included impact on traditional rule from all African countries, business and the financial sector including the banking and financial fraternity across all 54 states in Africa.
Others criteria included impact on the hospitality sector, medicine and wellness center, which includes hospital, herbal industries and wellness solutions.
At the event, three top awardees adjudged to have distinguished themselves referred to as ‘the titans’ were Ing.Bishoy Fouad, Gen.Manager, Life care Technology Ltd; Prof. Atuahene Boateng,CEO, Medimafo Herbal Hospital, and Lord Kwame Trevor Beckford, EFS CI, CEO, Digital Africa Diaspora Development Services.
Other awardees included, Fidelia Grand-Galon, Suriname Ambassador to Ghana, Kenya and South Africa, she won the Imperial African Achievement Award;Peter Quansah Jr, Partner, SB LLP Barristers and Solicitors, won the Imperial Cross-Border African Award; Mr.Bernard Anyan- Mensah, founder & CEO, CONAK; Mr. Samuel Vasmark Voegborlo , CEO, GENAU Ghana Ltd; Dr. Wanda Evans – Brewer, CEO, Wandalands Naturals,Adaigbo Chika Chukwurah, Igbo Mother General and Female Cultural Ambassador of Ndigbo,among others.
In a welcome address, Dr. Paul Boachie-Ansah, Group CEO and Board Chair of Imperial Leo Network Ltd said the conference not only celebrates leaders and entrepreneurs who have made significant strides in their respective fields but also seeks to inspire and empower the next generation of change makers across the continent.
He stated that the peace summit is to foster a state of stability and security where conflict is prevented or resolved peacefully and where human rights are respected and communities can thrive.
The event, he said, is not just to celebrate past achievements, but also to forge new partnerships, create lasting networks and champion the collaborative spirit that will define Africa’s future.
In a keynote address, Dr. Stephen Kojo Sackey, UN Goodwill Peace Ambassador said Africa must take ownership of its development and harness the talents of the people to drive sustainable growth.
Together, he said, Africa has the potential to build a self- reliant, industrialized and technologically advanced continent.
According to him, the economic transformation of Africa stands at a critical juncture, where strategic decisions would determine our ability to thrive in an increasingly competitive global economy.
“ The time has come to embrace self- sufficiency, industrial growth and technological advancement to secure a prosperous future for generations to come,” he said.
He indicated that recent shifts in foreign aid policies including potential reduction in support from USAID highlights the need for Africa to become self- reliant.
“ While aid has played a significant role in Africa’s development, the continent must develop robust revenue generation mechanisms, attract foreign direct investment and optimize tax systems to ensure financial sustainability”, he stressed.
