Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu Constituency, has congratulated Former President John Dramani Mahama on winning the prestigious 2024 Africa Advancement Award for Exemplary Leadership.
This recognition acknowledges Mahama’s significant contributions to Ghanaian democracy and his ability to smoothly transfer authority to his successor following his defeat in the 2016 general elections. This act was seen as a testament to his love for peace and security in Ghana and his commitment to strengthening and sustaining democracy in Africa.
“I celebrate Former President H.E. John Mahama for consistently making Ghana proud on the international stage. H.E. John Mahama’s book, ‘My First Coup D’Etat: And Other True Stories from the Lost Decades of Africa’ has just been translated into the Russian language for readers, researchers, academics and book enthusiasts in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and parts of Israel where the Russian language is spoken natively.”
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP for North Tongu Constituency
John Dramani Mahama received the award at the 2024 African Heritage Awards Ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria, organized by the Heritage Times of Nigeria. The ceremony was chaired by former Botswana President Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama and was the second edition of the awards. The first edition took place in Kigali, Rwanda in 2023.
Former President Mahama was recognized for implementing strategic economic initiatives and massive infrastructure projects across various critical sectors to address economic challenges and improve livelihoods.
His administration prioritized strategic economic initiatives to enhance the quality of life for Ghanaians and implemented large-scale infrastructure projects across various sectors like Transportation, Healthcare, Education, Power, and Housing. To address the power shortage problem, Mahama deployed emergency plans and sped up the completion of power plants, which resulted in more than 800 megawatts of power within 18 months.
Upon receiving the award, Mahama expressed his gratitude and dedicated the honor to the team that supported him during his tenure as President. He reflected on the challenges faced by the country during his leadership, including power and economic crises, and highlighted the importance of innovative thinking in navigating through difficult times.
The former President expressed his inspiration from receiving the award, noting that not everyone has the opportunity to serve as President twice, and emphasized his commitment to using the lessons learned from his previous term in office to strive for improvement and progress in his future endeavors, particularly as he stands for elections again.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa Also said “Mahama’s literary work continues to attract extraordinary global appeal. The NDC Flag-bearer and incoming President of Ghana, by God’s Grace, is frequently consulted and asked to lead election observer missions across the African continent.”
Other award recipients at the ceremony included the African Rising Movement, recognized for Social Justice and Advocacy, and Dr. Jayne Obioma Onwumere, CEO of the Property World Africa Network, recognized for her work in Women’s Emancipation and Empowerment.
The African Heritage Awards aimed to honor individuals who have excelled in various fields, including business, politics, philanthropy, entertainment, arts, culture, science, technology, and social innovation. The event was a gathering strategically organized to celebrate and recognize outstanding global accomplishments of Africans within the continent and in the Diaspora.
Impact of Mahama’s Peaceful Transfer of Power
John Dramani Mahama’s peaceful transfer of power in Ghana had a significant impact on both Ghanaian society and the broader African continent. This event was seen as a victory for democracy, showcasing Ghana’s strength in its democratic institutions and governance.
Ghana has been recognized as a model for democratic governance in Africa, and the smooth transition of power was a testament to this. This event was particularly notable because it contrasted with other African countries that have experienced political instability and conflicts, such as Mali and Malawi, where power transitions were not as peaceful.
“John Dramani Mahama is a man of peace who passionately loves his people. This love for peace and security in Ghana was put to the test when, after a democratic election, he peacefully handed over power to his successor in the spirit of strengthening and sustaining democracy in Africa.”
Heritage Times
The successful transition of power also highlighted the importance of strong democratic institutions and the rule of law in ensuring peace and stability. It served as an example for other African countries, encouraging them to uphold democratic values and practices.
Mahama’s peaceful transfer of power had a profound impact on Ghanaian society by reinforcing the country’s democratic credentials and its role as a model for democratic governance in Africa. It also had a broader impact on the African continent by promoting peace, stability, and democratic governance, thereby influencing the perception of Africa’s readiness for democratic processes and governance.
READ ALSO: Government Accused of Claiming Non-Funded Government Projects in Performance Tracker
