The “Nation Builders Award” was established “to recognise African Americans who have distinguished themselves” through lifelong service.
The National Black Caucus of State Legislators of the United States Congress on Wednesday presented the first-ever International Nation Builders Award of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Presenting the award, the president of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators of the United States Congress, Congressman Billy Mitchell, explained that the Nation Builders Award was established “to recognise those African Americans who have distinguished themselves with lifelong service and dedication to enfranchisement and inclusion of Americans of African descent into the national body of politics”.
Speaking at the 45th Annual National Black Caucus of State Legislators in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States, Mitchell explained that the “Nation Build Award” ceremony was renamed in 1995 to honour the late David P Richardson, a 23-year member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and NBCSL’s third president.
High regard
“I must say, as the president of NBCSL, it is my belief that we must unite and partner with our brothers and sisters of the continent and throughout the diaspora. It is not lost on me that Ghana is widely regarded as the hub of pan-Africanism and the final resting place of many of our great thinkers, yes, even W E B Du Bois,” he said.
Describing himself as “a student of Kwame Nkrumah”, Congressman Mitchell said, “I know we are stronger together and when we unite and advance the causes of our people, internationally, we are all better.”
“It is for this reason I present to you this award, Mr President, for your commitment to working collaboratively to achieve the liberation of African people despite where we were born.
“Mr President, I present to you the first International Nation Builders Award of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators,” Congressman Mitchell said.
Ghana and the diaspora
In his remarks, President Akufo-Addo said that Ghana’s connection with the African diaspora pre-dates her independence, and that “currently, we are creating platforms for adoption of legal frameworks in key sectors to drive diaspora engagements. This has culminated in the Homeland Return Bill, on which we are currently working.”
The Homeland Return Bill, he explained, recognises Ghana’s moral and spiritual obligation, as an African nation, to facilitate the return of diasporan Africans to Ghana and the motherland, and to initiate the legal and regulatory processes for integrating them into Ghanaian society.
“When enacted, the law will provide the much-needed regulatory and practical changes to improve the requirements for the acquisition of Ghanaian citizenship and permanent residence by diasporan Africans. Indeed, in the Year of Return, I granted citizenship to 126 members of the diasporan community in Ghana of African Americans and Caribbeans,” the president said.
He continued, “It will, in fact, be a critical indication for business and investment, presenting an avenue for Africa in the diaspora to work towards partnerships, and establish Ghana as a launchpad to the rest of the continent of Africa through the AfCFTA.”
The president told the gathering: “We, in Ghana, and in Africa as a whole, have a keen interest in how you in the diaspora fare. If you flourish, it will reflect well on us in Africa. Your success will boost our confidence. If we do well, and the continent flourishes, you will have an easier time of it here.”
Source:Asaase
