The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has received the prestigious 2024 Atlantic Council Global Citizen Award, alongside three other distinguished individuals.
The Atlantic Council Global Citizen Awards is the premier forum for world leaders, diplomats, C-Suite and influential figures from the worlds of philanthropy, social action and entertainment 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 evening 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 awardw-winners
In a brief on why it had chosen to present an award to President Akufo-Addo, the Atlantic Council explained that the award is for Akufo-Addo’s 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 alongside President Akufo-Addo 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 of the CJ Group.
Prime Minister Mitsotakis of Greece received the award for his remarkable career in public service and the private sector, as well as his leadership of Greece and the role he has played in transatlantic, European and global affairs.
On the other hand, the president of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic, Giorgia Meloni, 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).
The CJ Group vice-chairwoman Miky Lee was nominated for the award for her decades-long leadership in injecting vision that has made it possible for cultural businesses at the CJ Group, for her influence in globalising Korean culture, including producing the Academy Award-winning film Parasite, and for her commitment to promoting artistic storytelling on the world stage.
In the usual Atlantic Council tradition, winners of honours conferred by the Council select people to introduce them, based on their personal and professional relationships.
Introducing the award-winners for the evening were President William Samoei Ruto of the Republic of Kenya; the chairman and chief executive officer of Pfizer, Albert Bourla; the SpaceX chief engineer and chief executive officer of Tesla, Elon Musk; and the global chair of Paramount, Shari Redstone.
Exceptional leadership
Introducing President Akufo-Addo before presenting him with the Atlantic Council Global Citizen Award, President Ruto of Kenya eulogised the Ghanaian leader, referring to him as “Addo Show Boy” – a name that has been 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 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 2063 and the potential for the African Continental Free Trade Area to drive Africa’s growth,” President Ruto said.
On behalf of the people
President Akufo-Addo said in his acceptance speech that the Atlantic Council Global Citizen Award is not about him, but about the very people of Ghana, who have inspired him with their resilience, their 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 the 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 said after receiving the honour.
“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 said.
Collective effort
Akufo-Addo noted in his statement that throughout his presidency, he has “seen, first hand, the power of collaboration”.
President Akufo-Addo 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 declared.
