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President Akufo-Addo receives prestigious 2024 Atlantic Council Global Citizen Award
In a night filled with reverence and international camaraderie, Ghana’s President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo stood tall as he received the highly coveted 2024 Atlantic Council Global Citizen Award.
The event, held at the prestigious Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City, on Monday, 23rd September 2024, honoured the Ghanaian leader alongside an array of distinguished global figures, including Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Korean media pioneer Miky Lee.
Each of these trailblazers was recognized for their outstanding contributions to global peace, democracy, and human development.
In his acceptance speech, President Akufo-Addo emphasized that the award is not solely his achievement but belongs to the resilient people of Ghana.
“This moment is not just about me—it’s about the people of Ghana, who inspire me with their resilience, strength, and unwavering belief in a brighter future,” the President stated, underscoring the depth of his connection to his nation and its citizens.
He added that the people of Ghana, whom he called “true global citizens,” remain the backbone of his leadership. Their sacrifices, optimism, and determination, he said, continue to push the country forward, even amid challenges such as economic headwinds, political uncertainties, and global health crises.
The President was introduced at the ceremony by his friend and fellow African leader, President William Ruto of Kenya. Akufo-Addo used the moment to celebrate a new wave of African leadership, signalling a positive future for the continent.
“He represents the new generation of African leadership that holds such promise for our continent,” Akufo-Addo said, acknowledging the significance of their shared mission to elevate Africa on the global stage.
Reflecting on his presidency, Akufo-Addo emphasized that the award highlights not only his leadership but also Ghana’s role in the global community. He remarked on the necessity of international collaboration, stressing that no country can tackle the world’s pressing issues alone.
“In today’s interconnected world, no nation can stand alone. Our future, as Ghanaians, as Africans, and as members of a global family, depends on our ability to work together and lift each other up,” he noted.
Throughout his presidency, Akufo-Addo has placed a high premium on collaboration, both within Africa and with international allies. He pointed to progress made in Ghana, including strengthening democratic institutions and expanding opportunities for the citizenry.
Yet, he acknowledged that these milestones could not have been achieved without the collective efforts of the Ghanaian people and global partners.
President Akufo-Addo also took the opportunity to celebrate the strong relationship between Ghana and the United States. He described the partnership as one rooted in mutual respect and shared values, with a strong commitment to democratic principles.
The Ghana-U.S. relationship, he said, has played a significant role in promoting human rights and the rule of law across the African continent.
While grateful for the recognition, Akufo-Addo framed the award as a call to action rather than a culmination of his efforts. He urged the international community to remain steadfast in confronting global challenges such as climate change, political instability, and inequality.
“The challenges we face—whether it is climate change, political instability, or widening inequality—are global in nature, and they require global solutions,” he remarked, reminding the audience that there is still much work to be done.
As terrorism and violent extremism threaten West Africa, President Akufo-Addo used the platform to call for unity in combatting these threats. He described the growing menace of extremism as one that could “submerge West Africa and, indeed, the rest of the world, in darkness and tyranny.” His message was clear: peace, security, and prosperity can only be achieved through collective effort and steadfast resolve.
Nearing the end of his tenure as President of Ghana, Akufo-Addo reflected on the values that have shaped his leadership. He reaffirmed his unwavering belief in democracy, justice, and global citizenship—principles he will continue to champion even after leaving office.
“I will continue to advocate for these values because they are the key to a future where every person has the chance to thrive, regardless of where they are born,” he said.
In a poignant conclusion, he invoked the words of 17th-century English poet John Donne, who famously said, “No man is an island, Entire of itself; Every man is a piece of the continent, A part of the main.”
For Akufo-Addo, this sentiment encapsulates the essence of global citizenship and the importance of interconnectedness in addressing the world’s most pressing challenges.
The Atlantic Council’s Global Citizen Award is presented annually to individuals who demonstrate visionary leadership, commitment to strengthening alliances, and dedication to building a better world.
President Akufo-Addo’s receipt of the award underscores his influence not only within Ghana and Africa but on the global stage as a champion for democracy, human rights, and international cooperation.
As he accepted the award, Akufo-Addo once again made it clear that his commitment to these values remains steadfast.
“This recognition reminds me that, as President of Ghana, my leadership has been deeply shaped by the principles of unity, democracy, and a shared global responsibility,” he said.
The professor who spends his days exploring the intricacies of African languages found himself at the centre of a different kind of lesson on Friday, October 2, 2026. 
This time, there were no lecture notes, academic arguments or university classrooms. Instead, there was the weight of tradition, the rhythm of a community celebration and the solemnity of an oath at a royal palace.
Professor Ọbádélé Kambon, a full Professor of African Linguistics at the University of Ghana, was enstooled as Apagyahene and Sunsum Ɔsahene of Akuapem Mampong in the Eastern Region in a ceremony that brought academia and traditional authority together.
For the professor, the occasion was more than a new title. It was a moment that connected his academic interests in African languages and indigenous knowledge with the living traditions of an Akan community.
The day’s events unfolded through a series of customary observances. Kambon was first taken to the compounds of the Ɔkyeamehene and Gyasehene, where the preparations for his installation continued.
Then came the application of hyire, the white kaolin powder associated with traditional rites.
With the customary proceedings underway, the new chief was lifted onto the shoulders of celebrants and carried along the main thoroughfare of Akuapem Mampong.
The procession transformed the streets into a public stage for a ceremony rooted in the community’s traditional institutions.
There was something striking about the image, a university professor, accustomed to the measured language of academic discourse, being carried through the town in a display of traditional recognition.
Yet the celebration was not complete with the procession.
A ram was sacrificed at the Mamponghene’s compound before Kambon was taken to the palace, to swear the oath associated with his new offices.
The ceremony brought him formally into his roles as Apagyahene and Sunsum Ɔsahene.
Beyond the colourful proceedings, the titles themselves carry layers of historical meaning.
Kambon in his research explores the historical connections between Apagya and Akan political and military organisation.
Accounts cited in his work linked Apagya to an asafo, or military company, while historical writing traces an Apagya stool in Asante to the reign of Opoku Ware I in the eighteenth century.
These historical associations offer a glimpse into the institutions that have shaped Akan society over generations, although they do not automatically define the precise responsibilities of the office in Akuapem Mampong.
Kambon’s own professional life reflects a similar interest in preserving and examining African knowledge.
His work encompasses Akan language structure, naming practices across the Black world, proverbs and indigenous intellectual traditions.
Through Abibitumi, the platform he founded, he also promotes language learning, scholarship and cultural engagement.
But tradition was only one part of the story that day.
When the formal ceremony gave way to a reception, the occasion expanded into a celebration of three milestones: Kambon’s enstoolment, his promotion to full professor and his daughter Ama’s admission to the University of Ghana.
The gathering therefore carried a personal significance that went beyond the honours bestowed on one man. 
It celebrated professional advancement, the continuation of family aspirations and a connection to cultural heritage.
For a father, seeing a daughter gain admission to the same university where he holds a distinguished academic position offered another reason to celebrate.
For the professor, the moment placed family achievement alongside his own professional and traditional milestones.
Kambon had already established a place in the traditional life of Akuapem Mampɔn through an earlier installation as Banmuhene Kyidɔmhene, recorded in 2017.
His latest enstoolment adds another chapter to that relationship.
In Akuapem Mampɔn, the day brought together the university, the palace and the family table in one celebration. And for Kambon, the journey from the lecture room to the traditional procession showed how scholarship, cultural responsibility and family achievement could converge in a single memorable occasion.
By Enoch Ntiamoah Siaw
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ASOHOM organises fundraising gala to protect Ghana’s water resources, support vulnerable communities
The Association of Spouses of Heads of Missions and International Organisations (ASOHOM) last Friday held the 2026 edition of its annual Charity Gala, at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, Accra under the theme ‘Woven Currents.’
It was attended by members of the diplomatic and international community, distinguished guests, corporate partners, and artists, friends of Ghana and supporters of ASOHOM’s charitable mission.
What was supposed to be a fundraiser turned into a perfect platform to celebrate friendship, culture and creativity.
Water was at the heart of this year’s message, said Sovanna Taliercio President, ASOHOM and Chairperson of its Fundraising Committee.
“Through art, music and live performance, the gala highlighted the vital connection between water, life and our shared future, while drawing attention to the importance of protecting Ghana’s water resources and supporting sustainable solutions for vulnerable communities,” a statement signed by Ms Taliercio said.
The evening featured a remarkable exhibition of Ghanaian contemporary art, live performances, an auction and raffle, alongside an elegant dinner and opportunities for guests to connect and support the cause.
She expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the event— sponsors, artists, performers, partners, volunteers, ASOHOM members and, most importantly, every guest who chose to support its cause.
“Our fundraising efforts are ultimately about more than one evening. They are about transforming generosity into tangible support for communities in need. The funds raised through ASOHOM’s charitable initiatives will contribute to projects aligned with our humanitarian priorities and our commitment to supporting meaningful and sustainable development in Ghana,” she said.
She expressed pride at what ASOHOM represents: a community of women and men from across the diplomatic and international community who come together beyond their official roles to build bridges, strengthen partnerships and give back to the country we are privileged to call home.
She said the success of ‘Woven Currents’ was a testament to the power of collaboration, compassion and collective action and reminds that with togetherness, small contributions can create lasting impact.
By Spectator Reporter
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