Ghana’s President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has received the prestigious 2024 Atlantic Council Global Citizen Award alongside three other distinguished awardees.
The Atlantic Council Global Citizen Awards is the premier forum for world leaders, diplomats, the C-Suite, and the philanthropic, social, and entertainment communities to celebrate the highest expression of global citizenship.
Held annually on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, this special event underscores the Atlantic Council’s critical mission to shape the global future together, while recognising the accomplishments of key global citizens seeking to improve the state of the world.
Distinguished awardees
The Atlantic Council, in a brief on why they chose to honour President Akufo-Addo, explained that the award is for his distinguished leadership and long-standing commitment to the US-Ghana bilateral relationship and its shared democratic values.
The other heads of state and global leaders who also received the Atlantic Council Global Citizen Award included Giorgia Meloni, President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic, Kyriakos Mitsotakis; Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, and Miky Lee, Vice Chairwoman, CJ Group.
Prime Minister Mitsotakis of the Hellenic Republic received the award for his remarkable career in public service and the private sector, as well as his leadership of Greece and in transatlantic, European, and global affairs.
President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic Meloni on the other hand received the award for her ground-breaking role as Italy’s first female prime minister, her strong support of the European Union and the transatlantic alliance, and her 2024 chairmanship of the Group of Seven (G7).
CJ Group Vice Chairwoman Miky Lee picked the award for her decades-long leadership in injecting vision for cultural businesses at CJ Group, her influence in globalising Korean culture, including producing the Academy Award-winning film Parasite, and her commitment to promoting artistic storytelling on the world stage.
As is the tradition Atlantic Council, its honourees select their introducers based on their personal and professional relationships.
Introducers for the evening were President William Samoei Ruto of Kenya; Pfizer Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer Dr Albert Bourla; SpaceX Chief Engineer and Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk; and Paramount Global Chair Shari Redstone.
Exceptional leadership
President of Kenya, William Ruto, in his introduction ahead of presenting the award to President Akufo-Addo, eulogised him by referring to him as “Addo show boy,” a name that has become synonymous with President Akufo-Addo throughout his presidency.
“I have the great honour of introducing to you a leader who doesn’t only talk about leadership, he shows it in action. His Excellency, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is affectionately known in Ghana as “Addo Show Boy.”
This nickname captures his deep culturable and his reputation for decisive leadership.
“His surname, Addo, reflects a lineage of public service and leadership spanning generations. What about “Show Boy,” it captures his deep roots. That is because his modern leadership time and again, demonstrates that true leadership is about action and not words,” President William Ruto said.
“Ask any Ghanaian and they will speak proudly of the free senior high school policy which has transformed lives by making education accessible to all. President Akufo-Addo’s vision of Ghana beyond aid has inspired not only Ghanaians but Africans across the continent to pursue self-reliance and take hold of their destinies.
“His leadership is revered throughout Africa especially for bold moves such as the abolishing of visa and visa requirements for Africans by the end of 2024, underscoring his belief in unity. I share with President Akufo-Addo a strong commitment to the African Union’s agenda 20263 and the potential for Africa Continental Free Trade Area to drive Africa’s growth,” President Ruto added.
On behalf of the people
President Akufo-Addo in his acceptance speech said the Atlantic Council Global Citizen Award is not about him but about the very people of Ghana who have inspired him with their resilience and strength and their unwavering belief in a brighter future.
“They [the people of Ghana] are the true global citizens and I accept this award on their behalf. Being in the company of such accomplished individuals, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of Greece, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, of Italy, and media pioneer Miky Lee of Korea humbles me.
“I am particularly honoured that my good friend, President William Ruto of Kenya, has presented me with this award. He represents the new generation of African leadership that holds such promise for our continent,” President Akufo-Addo remarked after receiving the award.
“This recognition reminds me that as President of Ghana, my leadership has been deeply shaped by the principles of unity, democracy, and a shared global responsibility.
“In today’s interconnected world, no nation can stand alone. Our future as Ghanaians, Africans, and as members of a global family depends on our ability to work together and lift each other up,” Akufo-Addo further remarked.
Collective effort
President Akufo-Addo noted in his statement that throughout his presidency, he has “seen firsthand, the power of collaboration.”
He pointed out that Ghana has indeed “faced challenges, yes, but [but the country has] “also achieved significant progress from strengthening [its] democratic institutions, to expanding opportunities for [her] citizens.”
“But, none of this would have been possible without the support and collective effort of the Ghanaian people who wake up every day and give their best to their families, their communities, and their nation. Receiving this award is not a conclusion, it is a call to action.
“It is a reminder that the work of building a more just and equitable world is far from over. The challenges we face, whether it is climate change, political stability, widening inequality, or terrorism, are global in nature and they require global solutions,” President Akufo-Addo said.
