THE YOUNG Democrats Union of Africa (YDUA) has honoured President Akufo-Addo with an award.
The award is in recognition of his role for the maintenance of peace on the African continent.
President of the association, Louisa Atta-Agyemang, who read a citation accompanying the award at the Jubilee House in Accra yesterday, said, “This award represents our collective values as a people and centre right leaders, our values of rule of law, respect for human freedom and rights, democracy, peace and stability.”
She further stated that “our decision to honour the works of this very astute man for his decades of service to rule of law, democracy, press freedom and peace is not only admirable but presents great lessons to many.”
“From his staunch advocacy against human rights violations to his work to repeal the Criminal Libel Law of Ghana that placed so much restrictions on freedom of expression, his famous decision to accept the verdict of Ghana’s Supreme Court after the controversial 2012 elections will continue to hang as standards for everyone who puts peace above personal interest,” she emphasised.
In recent times, the YDUA President said “his work to restore peace in the Dagbon Kingdom of Ghana after almost two decades of kingship related conflict has been celebrated by many, both in Ghana and on the international scene.”
Apart from that, she noted that, “In all, his efforts to ensure that Ghana is enjoying peace and stability is enviable and his steps towards averting the urge for undemocratic regime change in West Africa as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States, we believe is worth commending considering the prospects.”
Former Canadian Prime Minister and current president of the International Democrats Union (IDU), Stephen Harper, presented the award to Vice President Bawumia who received the award on behalf of President Akufo-Addo, who is out of the country.
In a brief remark, Harper who was Prime Minister between 2006-2015 said Ghana enjoys tremendous reputation in Canada, something he said reinforces with the Ghanaian leaders he dealt with during his time in office as Prime Minister.
In the Democrats Union of Africa (DUA), he said Ghana through the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was a leading light not just in Africa but in the world.
Vice President Bawumia said over the years, President Akufo-Addo, who doubles as the Chairperson of ECOWAS, has been known for his endearing role in the advancement of the ideals of democracy, stability and rule of law in Ghana and across the African continent.
He, therefore, expressed delight that his work has gained the approbation and recognition of the Young Democrats Union of Africa.
BY Charles Takyi-Boadu