Former President John Dramani Mahama was honoured with the African Advancement Award for Exemplary Leadership at the 2024 African Heritage Awards Ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria, on Saturday.
Hosted by the Heritage Times of Nigeria, the event celebrates prominent African innovators, entrepreneurs, and organizations that contribute significantly to the continent’s development.
The ceremony, presided over by former Botswana President Dr. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, marked the second iteration of the awards, with the inaugural event held in Kigali, Rwanda earlier that year.
The award recognized Mahama for his leadership in launching major economic and infrastructure initiatives that have significantly improved economic conditions and livelihoods in Ghana. His efforts include addressing power shortages and enhancing employment opportunities through agricultural development.
Mahama’s administration prioritised 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.”
“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.”
“For being a shining example with a proven track record of his passion for advancing democracy, peace, security, and development of Ghana and Africa, we celebrate his tenacious spirit, which has driven Ghana to greater heights with impacts that are still felt today.”
Other award recipients at the ceremony included the African Rising Movement, recognised for Social Justice and Advocacy, and Dr Jayne Obioma Onwumere, CEO of the Property World Africa Network, recognised for her work in Women’s Emancipation and Empowerment.