The 12th African Achievers Awards and International Summit held on the 20th of September at the elegant Imperial College, part of the Imperial Venues, Queens Gate, South Kensington, London was a huge success. This exclusive event was attended by 150 dignitaries, organisations and industries from across the globe.
The venue initially intended for this event, the House of Parliament at Westminster, had to be changed with the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Every year the choice of venue is for the purpose of setting an international stage to showcase the Top African Achievers in Africa and the pursuit for excellence.
The distinguished guests were welcomed by Susan Fajana Thomas (Chair of the African Achievers Awards Board), Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Regulatory Services and Former Mayor of London Borough of Hackney, United Kingdom.
This years thematic session on the topic of Sustainable Development in Africa through Innovation, Preservation and Green Energy was mediated by Mr Otto Canon, a multiple award winner and expert on Sustainability and Environment Consultant, with a panel of experts:
Jonathan Wragg, Group Sustainability Director for Ocean Integrity (RIO), UK; Waliyah Abiola, Investment Banking Consultant and Analyst, UK and Dr Victor Abbey, CEO and Managing Partner of V5 Solutions Ltd, Ghana, leading the discussion. It was clear from the discussion and questions raised that sustainability was most relevant and a common concern amongst delicates.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Bibi Ameenah Firdaus Gurib-Fakim, former President of Mauritius and Pro Vice Chancellor at the University of Mauritius. She stated:
“Africa is a continent full of talent and ambition. Recognising excellence is a great step forward to change the perspective of the world and what this continent offers.”
The poet, author and writer, Sarah Goroh from Namibia graced us with her inspiring words.
The Award Presentation was the highlight of the event and the African Achievers Awards are proud to announce the honorees for 2022:
Emmanuel Kojo Jones-Mensah, Young Business Leader of the Year, Ghana. HRM King Drolor Bosso Adamtey, Global Impact, Ghana. Anne Thandeka Gebhardt GCON, Women Empowerment Impact Award, Namibia. Twapewa Kadhikwa, Emerging Entrepreneurship Empowerment, Namibia. Sarah Goroh, Emerging Inspirational Writer – Literature Award, Namibia. Blessing Abeng, Young African Achiever, Nigeria. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi CCIE, African Information & Technology ICON of the Year, Nigeria. Dr. Ifeanyi Chikwuma Odii, African Youth Icon of the Year, Nigeria. Dinah Bronkhorst, Community Impact Award, South Africa. Carolyn Steyn, Philanthropist of the Year Award, South Africa. Dr. Smelly Dube, Global Corporate Leadership, Zimbabwe.Rehan Greeff, Social Impact Award, South Africa. Capitol Foods Limited, Outstanding Business Award, Sierra Leone. Vendoir, Emerging African Brand of the Year, United Kingdom. H.E. Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, Global Impact Award, Mauritius. Adeshola Cole, African Legacy, United Kingdom. Elizabeth Jack-Rich, African Personality on Humanitarian Impact, Nigeria. Marco Aurelio Filipe de Sousa Lopes, UK PALOP Community Leader, Cape Verde. Zuo Bruno, Rising Tech Icon of the Year, Cameroon. Dr. Zainab Shikafi-Bagudu, Philanthropic Impact in Healthcare Delivery, United Kingdom. Gabriel Shiague, Excellence in Financial Leadership. Dr. Victor Abbey, FCILG.Onyekachi Abigail Amajor, Global Health and Education Impact, United States of America. Psquare – Peter and Paul Okoye, Global Music Impact, Nigeria.
The African Achievers Awards proudly announced the launch of the AAA FOUNDATION and Clariza Botha was there to present the foundation with an inspirational speech on what the AAA foundation will do to inspire and transform. Botha stated:
”The key to creating sustainable solutions for the socio-economic challenges in Africa, is to establish collaborations between existing community organisations and institutions, to engage stakeholder relations for global funding and to set up a system of accountability and good governance. The aim of the AAA FOUNDATION is to create informed assistance to encourage and inspire African Communities towards excellence. Excellence strives towards what is positive, valuable and praiseworthy. In being honoured for excellence we admit to striving, trying, failing, but getting up and trying again. This is where the AAA FOUNDATION begins. With one person trying. This is the heart and soul of the AAA FOUNDATION: To give assistance to an individual striving towards excellence.”
The AAA Foundation will address challenges such as food security, education, health, family support and job creation.
All honorees were invited to support and collaborate with the AAA FOUNDATION.
“The significance of tonight is not only to honour, respect and celebrate those individuals who work relentlessly towards excellence, but more important is how you as an individual can go out and impact the world, change a life.” and with this statement by Dr.Rex Idaminabo, CEO of the AAA, the prestigious evening was concluded.
For more information kindly contact:
African Achievers Awards Contact:
AAA FOUNDATION Contact: Clariza Botha