“Africa is indeed a continent of promise, we must therefore rise above the limitations, and take steps towards moving our common patrimony forward.”
This was the call to action by Dr Ken Giami at his opening remarks during the 10th African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year Award celebrations.
Dr Giami started by recognizing the presence of distinguished guests and honorees for the night and highlighted that this would be the 10th African Leadership Magazine Persons of the year award event but the first to be a hybrid event. According to Dr Giami, all industries of the world have learned to incorporate the virtual experience into their events, and the African leadership magazine has moved on with the new normal as well.
Dr Giami stressed that the African leadership persons of the year award demonstrate the organization’s commitment to promoting the achievements of great Africans and friends of Africa in the continent. “We believe that Africa is not the challenges it faces. We believe that Africa is more than wars, hunger, and poverty. We believe that there are Africans who make a difference by contributing extensively to world peace and progress, “he said.
He further highlighted that the African leadership persons of the year award were a platform that recognizes those individuals who still commit to contributing to Africa’s progress despite the very herculean challenges they face. He explained that the persons of the year award had become a premier and vote-based endorsement platform on the continent centred on celebrating Africa’s pious of hope across diverse continents, across business, politics, diplomacy, and philanthropy.
“These awards regard and celebrate men and women who have strived and worked tirelessly to position Africa in the positive light it deserves, altering the negative image and tirelessly impacting their communities, making our society a better and brighter place. The ALMPOTY applauds and commends individuals who engender growth and foster socio-economic development in our dear continent. Through the sacrificial and selfless lives they have led, the continent has grown to where it is today.
He explained that the selection process for this event was very vigorous as nominees pass through a vote-based, multi-level screening process to emerge as winners. Whilst some of our awardees joined us in person, some would be connecting with us virtually none less, we are excited to have them with us, to hear from them, and learn from them how they have worked and achieved significant milestones.
Dr Giami emphasized that the focus of this year’s ceremony is hinged on philanthropy, impact investing, and sustainability in Africa. He added that Africa has a seemingly yet wrong face of poverty, with the absence of readily qualified talents on-ground and poor access to finance necessary to promote the kind of growth African needs for reconstruction and rehabilitation to achieve sustainable development.
Ironically, although Africa is seen as a continent behind in terms of growth and advancement, Africans in various spheres of life are making invaluable contributions to the expansion of major economies worldwide. He urged Africans to begin to think for Africa and look to develop our home continent, explaining that much worse than what is happening in Ukraine has happened and is still happening in Africa, not necessarily in the form of war, and yet little attention is paid to the continent. “Africans and friends of Africa across the globe must begin to think again For Africa” he stated.
Some guests and awardees at the event included H.E Lazarus Chakwera, President of Malawi who also emerged as the African of the Year winner, Baroness Sandip Verma, an appointed member of the House of Lords who gave the keynote address amongst many other heads of governments, captains of industries and accomplished business owners.
