Mo Ibrahim Foundation (London)
19 October 2009
press release
In announcing the decision of the Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership Prize Committee, the Board of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation released the following statement from the Prize Committee:
“The Mo Ibrahim Foundation is committed to supporting great African leadership that will improve the economic and social prospects of the people of Africa. The Foundation’s focus is the promotion of good governance in Africa and the recognition of excellence in African leadership.
The Prize Committee welcomed the progress made on governance in some African countries while noting with concern recent setbacks in other countries.
This year the Prize Committee has considered some credible candidates. However, after in-depth review, the Prize Committee could not select a winner.”
Mo Ibrahim, the founder of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, said:
“The Prize Committee is independent of the Board. It is the Prize Committee’s decision not to award a Prize this year and we entirely respect it. We made clear at the launch of the Foundation that there may be years when there is no winner.
This Foundation was established to stimulate debate around, and improve the quality of, African governance. Although there is much focus on the prize, the Foundation is engaged in many other activities to help improve governance. Central to these is the Ibrahim Index of African Governance, which the Foundation published earlier this month, which gives powerful information to all citizens about the performance of their countries.”
The Board of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation also confirmed that despite the fact that there is no laureate this year, the planned events in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on 14 and 15 November 2009 will go ahead. These events will include a discussion forum that will bring together stakeholders to discuss issues that are key to Africa’s future progress including climate justice, agriculture and food security and regional economic integration. The aim of the forum is to articulate shared aspirations and a common vision for the future around these issues.
Mo Ibrahim said of the forum: “At a time when, we are seeing overall progress in Africa, despite worrying setbacks in some countries, it is vital that African stakeholders and institutions come together to look for a way forward on the major challenges facing the African continent. I look forward to the discussions around this urgent African agenda.”
The forum will include the following sessions:
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It is a decision not to award this years' Ibrahim Prize is just great and is perhaps the first step toward a more decient future more African people It is long overdue for influential people all over the world to stop indulging in the kind of Cupidity that is very much the cause of Africa problems today Well done the committee.
I totally agree with the decision to not give the award to anybody this year. As for the so called front runners, I don’t know much about Mr. Mbeki, but it would have been a disaster if it was given to Mr. Kufour. Mr. Kufour is a good man, but he oversaw one of the most corrupt governments in Africa. Although he handed over peacefully, his tenure in office was one of the worse in Ghana considering the fact that he preceded the tenure of Rawlings who set the country back so many years. He did not build any institutions and failed to improve the std of living of ordinary folks. Mr. Kufour used his presidency to enrich himself, his friends and family. He wanted a percentage in any contract he signed. It’s absolutely impossible to compare him to Chissano who was selfless and continues to work hard towards African peace. It is corruption that did Kufour in! Mo Ibrahim is a wise and bold leader who wants the best for Africa. Thank you sir, for not rewarding bad behaviour.
Koroo is extremely accourate with his/her specifics on the agreement that no one deserves the prize. Sadly, the current leadership in Africa doesn't concern themselves with trying to win it because they can steal more than the prize is worth from their citizens or their lives would be threatened by their corrupt governmental comrades if they did their duty. Until good leaders demand that they be shielded by the people, the merry go round will never end.
In my opinion I don’t think the committee has done the right thing unless they come up further clarification on the reasons behind their decision. I tend to admire people who make right decisions without fear or favor even such decision will not be in the favor of the majority.
Mo should consider a review of his award to comprise other factors instead of politics only. Organizers should focus on roles played by an individual in an attempt to make Africa a better place instead. It should only be about winning a multi party election or handing over of power after completion of one’s term or willing resignation. Though am not a South African I have feelings that some people like Mbeki are unfairly judged for reasons related to HIV/ AIDS comments and their stand on Zimbabwe issue. Being a supporter of the opposition in Zimbabwe and distribution of HIV drugs do not make one a good leader. It should be more than that…………. Corrupt leaders can still stay in power and earn more than what Mo Ibrahim is offering illegally….
Sadly enough, not awarding the prize this year is just a big surprise. There got to be someone up here in africa who deserves it, such as the "intellectual" President John A. Mills of Ghana. Skipping to recompense those whom have excelled now, is a way to reprimande them inclusively with those infamous Big Men.
The decision not to award the 2009 Ibraham award to anyone is just great news and is perhaps the first step toward a more decent future for African people which is long overdue And is also about time for all influential throughout the world to stop indulging the kind of Cupidity which are the causes of too much of Africas' problems. Well done the committee
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