The Africa-America Institute (AAI), at its 25th Annual Awards Gala in New York, has presented President John Atta Mills with the “African National Achievement Award”.

In a citation preceding the award, President Atta Mills was commended for his personal contribution to teaching and learning as well as his commitment to giving depth and breadth to Ghana’s democratic dispensation.

And with Ghana’s renaissance as the African Continent’s beacon of hope, His Excellency President Atta Mills and the people of Ghana received high praise from the AAI.

AAI Board Chair, Kofi Appenteng said “Tonight we salute and celebrate the people of Ghana and their commitment to education as an essential path to prosperity and means to building enduring democratic systems and institutions. We are honoured that President John Evans Atta Mills agreed to receive this tribute on behalf of his fellow citizens.”

Though unable to be present at the event because of the compelling need to be at home to join the people of Ghana celebrate the centenary birthday of the Founder and first President of Ghana, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, President Atta Mills, in a recorded message, thanked the AAI for doing him the honours and presenting him with the Institute’s highest award.

President Atta Mills commended the AAI for being a “forward-looking Institute” that continues to play a pivotal role in human resource development in Ghana as well as the African Continent.

President Atta Mills reiterated his Administration’s commitment to “Investing In People” since the nation’s greatest asset, is its human resource base and pledged Government’s continued cooperation with the Institute to give valuable education and skills training to Ghanaians.

His Excellency the President also congratulated an illustrious daughter of Ghana, Mrs. Dinah Bradful, Assistant Commissioner and Head of Laboratory of the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), who was presented with the AAI Distinguished Alumna Award.

Foreign Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, received the award on behalf of President Atta Mills.

AAI began working in Ghana in the early 1950s, established an office in Accra in 1957, and administered U.S. Government-funded African Scholarship Programme of American Universities (ASPAU) for promising graduates across Africa.

Since then, hundreds of Ghanaians have benefited from academic and professional training through AAI education programmes including the U.S Government-funded African Graduate Fellowship Programme (AFGRAD), the Advanced Training for Leadership and Skills (ATLAS) Programme, and more recently, the Global Training for Development (GTD) programme.

Koku Anyidoho (Head, Communications)