The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Leadership Awards (GLA), Rev. Professor Emmanuel Yao Nash has entreated the youth of Ghana not to allow themselves to be used by any unscrupulous politician to engage in electoral violence to disturb the peace in the country before, during and after the December 7 election.
According to him, it is incumbent on the youth who are in majority and represent the future of Ghana to reject, resist and vote against any desperate politician or political party that would attempt to arm them with dangerous weapons, alcohol and drugs to foment troubles in the upcoming election. “As the youth of this country, you have a duty to protect the peace we are enjoying today so that no desperate politician uses you to destroy your own future because of political power. They will dump you and will not answer your calls again after using you to get to power”.
Rev. Professor Nash who is also the Executive President of the Ghana Peace Awards gave the advice in his welcome address during the 16th Ghana Leadership Awards 2024 held at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra. The theme for this year’s awards ceremony was: “Refuse Politicians Visa till Elections are Conducted”.
The CEO of the Ghana Leadership Awards also charged the various political parties and their candidates to demonstrate high integrity and patriotism in order to uphold the peace and unity of Ghana throughout their electioneering campaigns.
He equally charged the Electoral Commission (EC), the security agencies, national house of chiefs, national peace council, religious organisations, civil society organisations and the media to play their expected roles diligently and with circumspection so as to safeguard the peace in the country.
Rev. Professor Nash who is the mastermind of the recent Visa restriction policy by the US Embassy, re-echoed his call on the various embassies not to grant visas to any politician or individuals who would attempt to undermine the peace and the democracy in Ghana. “When politicians know that they cannot leave this country at any point in time during this election period, they will be decent in their campaign and in whatever they do or say”.
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Meanwhile, the ostentatious awards event which was instituted in 2009 seeks to honor leaders for their exemplary contributions towards Ghana’s economic, social, political and human development. He said that the award targets individuals, groups and organisations that are fighting to eliminate oppressive structures, helping community development, promoting peace, unity, religious and political tolerance, accountability, rule of law and human security among others.
Professor Nash further indicated that the prestigious awards had significantly contributed in shaping the attitudes and leadership style of past and present awardees, keeping them in check, inspiring them to do more and reminding them of their responsibility to strive for more excellence.
The overall winner on the night of the 16th Ghana Leadership Awards was Apostle Okoh Agyemang - founder of Living Yahweh 7th Day Sabbath Assemblies. He received an award for his outstanding leadership and humanitarian efforts nationally and internationally. The other awardees were Nana Ama McBrown – Movie Actress and Media Personality, Bishop Dr. Francisca Duncan Williams – ex-wife of Archbishop Nicolas Duncan Williams and the President of the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG), Mr. Samuel Afotey Otu, Manye Naa Klorkor Asamanhie I – a Biochemist, an International Journalist with DWTV and GTV won the Unsung Heroes Award, Ubor Magal Kuunboln -Konkonba Basare Chief for Tema Region also won the Government leader award of the year and ADO1 Mrs. Caroline Ahiati - Welfare Officer at the Ghana National Fire Service received the Welfare Personality of the Year award.
The Ghana Leadership Awards ceremony has honoured several great leaders in the past including H.E President Nana Akufo-Addo, former President H.E John Mahama, former President H.E J.J Rawlings, former President H.E John Agyekum Kuffour, Rt Hon Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Bagbin, Hon Kyei Mensah Bonsu – former Majority Leader, Ga Matse His Royal Majesty Nii Tsuru II, Kwame Asuah Takyi- Comptroller-General of Immigration, GUTA President – Dr Joseph Obeng, Dr George Akuffo Dampare, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Rev Father Cambel – Philanthropist, H.E Kofi Annan - former UN Secretary General and the Sierra Leone's High Commissioner to Ghana, Togo and Burkina Faso, Ambassador Francess Virginia Anderson among several others.
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