In a ceremony steeped in tradition and honour, Dr. Nick Danso Adjei, Executive Chairman of Ghana Link Network Services Ltd, was on Saturday conferred with the Lifetime Africa Achievement Prize at the 2025 Millennium Excellence Awards.
The event, held under the patronage of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, took place at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi and coincided with the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Asantehene.
The Lifetime Africa Achievement Prize is one of the highest recognitions awarded by the Millennium Excellence Foundation, bestowed upon individuals whose contributions to national and continental development are profound, sustainable, and transformative.
Dr. Danso Adjei was recognised for his visionary leadership in revolutionizing Ghana’s trade facilitation sector, particularly through the development and successful deployment of the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS).
ICUMS, under Dr. Danso Adjei’s stewardship, has not only streamlined port clearance operations but has also substantially increased customs revenue for the government while curbing corruption and inefficiencies in the trade sector.
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Danso Adjei expressed deep gratitude to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and the selection committee, describing the award as “more than a personal milestone—it is a solemn reminder of the purpose and responsibility that come with leadership, vision, and service.”
“To receive this honour here at Manhyia, the cradle of timeless tradition and authority, in celebration of Otumfuo’s 25 years of wisdom and peacebuilding, is profoundly symbolic,” he added.
Dr. Danso Adjei used the occasion to reflect on the broader essence of legacy, urging Ghanaian and African entrepreneurs to pursue impact over profit. “At Ghana Link, progress is not measured by profits alone, but by how many systems are reformed, how many lives are improved, and how many opportunities are created for others,” he stated.
He further charged African youth to believe in homegrown solutions. “Innovation does not begin in Silicon Valley, it begins in our classrooms, our markets, our villages, and our stories,” he noted. “The future is African, and it will be shaped by those who dare to solve African problems with African ingenuity.”
Addressing policymakers and business leaders, Dr. Danso Adjei emphasized the role of the private sector in national development. “The work of nation-building cannot be left solely to governments. Let us lead not just in industry, but in integrity,” he asserted.
He also made a passionate appeal for greater intra-African collaboration, stating that the continent’s competitive advantage lies in unity rather than rivalry. “The more we collaborate, the less we compete, and the faster we rise together,” he declared.
Dr. Danso Adjei dedicated the award to his family, the entire team at Ghana Link, and “every unsung hero working behind the scenes for a more efficient and prosperous Africa.”
The 2025 edition of the Millennium Excellence Awards drew dignitaries from across the African continent and the international community. The awards continue to spotlight individuals whose work improves the lives of the poor, widows, orphans, and the underprivileged, core values that reflect Otumfuo’s enduring legacy of peace and service.
