19 October 2009
Business magnate Mo Ibrahim, founder of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, has announced that the Foundation will not be awarding prize money to any former African leaders for good governance this year.
The annual Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership awards the recipient with U.S.$5 million dollars to be paid out over 10 years and thereafter U.S.$200,000 a year for life.
The Prize Committee said in a statement that there were "some credible candidates" but they "could not select a winner". Ibrahim, said that 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," said Ibrahim. "We made clear at the launch of the Foundation that there may be years when there is no winner."
The focus of the Foundation's is to promote good governance in Africa and rocognise excellence of leadership on the continent. Previous recipients of the prize are Festus Mogae of Botswana and Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique.
The Foundation said that despite the decision not to name a prize recipient this year, the forum scheduled for Dar es Salaam, on November 14 and 15 will take place. The focus on the discussions will be climate justice, agriculture and food security and regional economic integration.
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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
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….
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