Sir John (right) receiving the award
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Forestry Commission of Ghana, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, popularly known as Sir John, has been honoured for his exemplary leadership and innovative ideas for solving climate change and also creating jobs for young Ghanaians.
Presenting the award to Mr Owusu Afriyie, Dr Ken Giami, publisher and CEO of African Leadership Magazine, noted the creation of over 15,000 jobs in the reforestation programme for persons with no higher form of education. The programme seeks to help fight global warming. They commended the Forestry Commission in their continuous efforts to create the business link between Africa and the United Kingdom.
The Africa Summit, held at the London Hilton, Park Lane, was under the theme: “Jobs made in Africa: Creating a world of opportunities for the continents young people”. The gathering aims to help shape discussions on Africa’s entrepreneurship and job prospects for the next 10 years and also expose delegates to bold ideas and initiatives that have worked.
Ministers of state and top business personalities from across the African continent were present. They included Mr N.K. Bah, Minister for Tourism, the Gambia; Mr Amadou Kone, Minister of Transport, Cote d’Ivoire and Mr Peter Cole Chiori, CEO of Ocean Glory Commodities Ltd.
Other recipients of the awards included a Presidential Hopeful of Nigeria and Chairman of BenTV UK, Mr Alistair Soyode and Ms Leelai Kpukuyou, CEO of Mini Enterprise Inc. Liberia, who contributed immensely to the fight against Ebola in Liberia.