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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.
Ahyiresu and Abofrem, two quiet communities in the Atwima Mponua District, have been shaken to the core by a chilling midnight drama that reads like a nightmare.
A pastor and a young mother stand accused of attempting to bury a five‑month‑old baby girl alive, a crime that has ignited outrage and disbelief across the township.
According to police, Apostle Richmond Akwasi Frimpong, 36, Head Pastor of the Anointed Grace Prayer Ministry at Kuffour Camp, conspired with his uncle Emmanuel Appiah, 53, and the child’s mother, 23‑year‑old Beatrice Agyapomaa, to dispose of the infant, Anaya Achiaa, under the cover of darkness.
A fourth suspect, Emmanuel Donkor, remains on the run.
The suspects were caught near a refuse dump around 10 pm on April 9, 2026, after a vigilant resident, Akwasi Twezor, noticed their suspicious movements.
When confronted, they claimed the child was already dead and had palace approval for burial. But Twezor’s instincts proved right—the baby was still alive, gasping faintly for breath.
Chief Linguist, Nana Yaw Badu, later confirmed that Frimpong had misled him earlier in the evening, securing permission for burial by falsely declaring the child dead.
The infant was rushed to the Abofrem Clinic, where she is now responding well to treatment. Police described her as “very beautiful.”
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Evelyn Yitamkey, Commander of DOVVSU in Bibiani, confirmed that the suspects have been provisionally charged.
Frimpong faces attempted murder and conspiracy charges, while Agyapomaa and Appiah are charged with conspiracy and abetment.
They were remanded by the Bibiani Circuit Court, presided over by Judge Frank Asiedu Nimako, to assist investigations.
The docket has been forwarded to the Attorney General’s Department for advice, ASP Yitamkey indicated.
The attempted crime has provoked fury among residents, many suspecting ritual motives aimed at bolstering the pastor’s influence.
Crowds attempted to attack the suspects outside court, but police intervention prevented mob justice.
The Assembly Member for Ahyiresu, Yusuf Suleiman, has assured residents that justice will be pursued swiftly.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
The forecourt of the African University of Communications and Business (AUCB) in Accra came alive on Friday with colour, creativity and innovation, as Level 300 students transformed the space into a lively exhibition of ideas.
Under the theme “Building meaningful brands beyond the logo,” the students invited patrons into a world where ordinary products were reimagined through storytelling, design and purpose.
From scented candles to innovative food concepts, each stand told a unique story, one that went beyond aesthetics to capture identity, value and human connection.
For many of the students, the event was more than just an academic exercise; it was a moment to dream out loud.
Guided by their lecturer, Peter Wonders, they explored what it truly means to build a brand in today’s competitive world where trust, consistency and experience matter just as much as logos and slogans.
Chairman of the occasion, Nana Kum Gyata VI, in his remarks said a brand is what people say about you when you are not present.
At the end of the presentations, awards were presented to deserving groups with Vida Nyaneba emerging as the overall best branding student.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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