Ghana’s President, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has been adjudged African of the Year, 2021 by Forbes Africa magazine in its latest edition unveiled on Friday December 3, 2021. The award which is in its fourth year, recognizes Africans that have made an impact on the continent and the world stage.

According to the latest issue of the Magazine, the President of the Republic of Ghana has “repositioned the country in the global marketplace as one reliant on its own resources and strengths”.

In an interview with CNBC Africa after the unveiling of the Magazine on December 3, 2021, President Akufo-Addo said he was overwhelmed by the recognition given him by Forbes Africa magazine.

“Thanks very much for recognizing the work that we are doing here in Ghana. For the African version of the magazine to pick me, I’m very grateful.”
President Akufo-Addo

When asked what this award means to him, Nana Akufo-Addo said, “it means the world is looking at the work we are doing here in Ghana”. According to the President, the recognition is “an inspiration for us” and also an encouragement “for us to continue to go down the path that we set ourselves”.

Prospects for intra-regional trade

President Akufo-Addo indicated that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has been on the table for a very long time and its establishment being on the continent is an important first Step.

“The projections are that, the market is going to be a market of 2.5 billion in 30 years’ time [2050], so we are talking about a major trading bloc. If it functions effectively then those who have the opportunity to exploit the possibilities of this are going to reap big dividends. So, what we have been trying to do here in Ghana, apart from struggling to have a secretariat here, is also to prepare our business community to be able to maximize the opportunities”.
President Akufo-Addo

The President highlighted that the AfCFTA presented a great opportunity to improve Intra-African trade which is the lowest (16% of collective GDP) of any trading group in the world as compared to the European Union whose intra-trade accounted for 75% of the collective GDP generated from Intra European trading.

“The focus has been on looking outside the continent for trade and investments. The market now exists for us and our first priority is how to expand trade with our neighbors and trade within our continent… And I am particularly happy that Ghana has been honored by her peers to be responsible for the secretariat… I’m very happy with Ghana’s association with the trade project and I like the way you described it as the trade capital of Africa”.
President Akufo-Addo

Previous winners of the award

On her part, Renuka Methil, Managing Editor, Forbes Africa, indicated that President Akufo-Addo greatly deserves the honor.

This is the fourth year of the award and according to Methil, President Nana Addo “joins an elite club of his peers in Africa who have been internationally recognized”. The previous winners of the award include Paul Kagame of Rwanda (2018), Akinwumi A. Adesina, President, African Development Bank Group (2019) and Ngozi Okonjo-lweala, Director General, World Trade Organization (2020).

The Forbes African of the Year award is always given to an African with global reputes, a visionary who is willing to bring serious reforms to the country he lives in.