Ghana scoops two prizes at the African Business Awards.
Ishmael Yamson, former Chairman of Unilever Ghana and the current Non-Executive Chairman of Standard Chartered Ghana was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by HE Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the Republic of Namibia. In an emotional acceptance speech, Dr Yamson said that throughout his life he simply did what he had to: “I wanted to be able to look at my grandchildren in the eyes and be able to respond to them honestly and with integrity when they would ask me what I did, with all these resources, to contribute to the betterment of my country.” And to the young entrepreneurs in the audience, he added “My challenge to all of you young entrepreneurs tonight, and I see many of you here, is that this is now your time.”
mPedigree Network of Ghana was the winner of a new category, the Award for Innovation. In the citation read during the presentation they were commended for “a fantastic project which has made use of technology to have a direct impact on the lives of Africans. It’s now being replicated in 4 African countries and now also in Asia. By sending a free SMS paid for by the manufacturers, consumers can now verify the origin of medicines instantaneously, providing a vital tool in the battle against counterfeit drugs”.
HE Hifikepunye Pohamba, President, Republic of Namibia & Chair of the South African Development Corporation (SADC) and some of the continent’s leading business leaders such as Vimal Shah, Pascal Dozie and Evelyn Oputu were amongst 350 African ministers, ambassadors, government officials and top business leaders from all regions of Africa present at the African Business Awards 2011, organised by African Business magazine and the Commonwealth Business Council, to celebrate the achievements of prominent businessmen and women driving growth and development in the Continent.
Omar Ben Yedder, Associate Group Publisher of African Business magazine, the organiser of the event said: “All nominated individuals and companies were particularly strong, and the standard keeps getting higher year after year. The attendance of two British Ministers as well as other dignitaries from the world over shows the interest Africa is generating, and we, as a Continent, are starting to make headlines for all the right reasons.”
Dr. Mohan Kaul, CEO of the CBC, stressed the importance of these Awards: “We have been trying to promote over the years a strong partnership between the public and private sectors and we are happy to see the fruits of our labour being achieved, with some world class African businesses being recognised today.”
IC Publications holds two annual awards ceremonies. The next one will be the African Banker Awards that will take place during the IMF-World Bank meetings on the 23rd September 2011 in Washington DC.
AFRICAN BUSINESS AWARDS 2011 WINNERS
Lifetime Achievement Award
· Dr. Ishmael Yamson
Award for Innovation
· mPedigree Network, Ghana
Business Leader of the Year
· Aliko Dangote, Dangote Group , Nigeria
Outstanding Businesswoman of the Year
· Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, soleRebels, Ethiopia
African Business of the Year
· Dangote Group, Nigeria
Investor of the Year
· Etisalat, UAE
Green Award of the Year
· Buchanan Renewables, Liberia
Award for Best Corporate Social Responsibility – Jointly Awarded to:
· Microsoft, South Africa
- Olam, Nigeria
Award for Good Corporate Governance
· Nedbank Group, South Africa
Award for Most Improved Investment Climate
· Mauritius
Distinction in Public Service
· Arunma Oteh, Director General, Secutirites and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria
SADC Special Recognition Award
- Chirundu One Stop Border
Contribution to the Namibian Private Sector
- Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun, chairman United Africa Group
· Knowledge Katti, entrepreneur and director UNX
Organisers:
About African Business magazine:
After 40 years of continuous reporting on Africa’s economic landscape, the London-based African Business magazine has justifiably earned its reputation as the most influential business publication in the continent. Published by IC Publications, African Business is distributed in over 1000 countries around the world and has become essential reading for organisations, institutions, companies and individuals involved in the economic development of Africa. IC Publications produces in total ten pan-African titles in English and French.
www.african-business-awards.com
This article was originally posted on West Africa Business Communities
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