THE YEAR NO AFRICAN LEADER WON THE MO IBRAHIM AWARD

GHANA BROADCASTING CORPORATION

The Chief Executive Officer of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), Ibrahim Mayaki says there is a need for Africa to improve its leadership capacity. Mr. Mayaki said the failure of any former African head of state to win the 5 million dollar Mo Ibrahim Award is a wakeup call to leaders across the continent.

Sudanese businessman Mo Ibrahim announced yesterday that his foundation’s committee could not find a winner for good governance in Africa this year. Former President John Kufuor, Nigeria’s Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and South Africa’s President Thabo Mbeki were thought to be frontrunners for this year’s award. Mayaki said NEPAD is determined to do more to improve the qualities of African leadership. T

he Mo Ibrahim Award is an award given by a private foundation, with very strict criteria to choose the most suitable leader with positive qualities. According to Mr. Mayaki the fact that no former African leader was able to win this year’s award is cause for concern.