Reverend Father Andrew Campbell, Chairman of Lepers Aid Committee, has appealed to Ghanaians, especially the youth to eschew the “pull him down syndrome.”

This, he said, would enable people to attain greater heights in life to help in the country’s socio-economic development.

Rev. Father Campbell gave the advice on Wednesday during the launch of the fourth edition of the Excellent Leadership Award (ExLA Awards) in Accra.

He also appealed to the youth to do away with dishonesty and corruption as such tendencies impede not only national progress, but personal progress as well.

He praised the organizers of ExLA Awards for their vision and commitment to award people who were making meaningful contributions towards the socio-economic development of the country.

Father Campbell, who is also a Board Member of ExLA Awards, used the occasion to express his condolence to the family of the late P.V. Obeng and eulogized him for his support to the leprosarium when he was alive.

The 4th edition of the ExLA Awards has been scheduled for 24th July 2014 in Accra.

Deserving people would be awarded in about 10 categories, including the ExLA Platinum Award for persons of national and international stature who have positively impacted the nation.

The next is the ExLA Gold Award for a deserving woman who has contributed her quota to national development.

Others are Journalism and Advocacy Award, Peace Award, Transformational Leadership Award, the Strategic Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Arts and Entertainment Award, and the Youth Development Award.

The rest are Sports Distinction Award, Humanitarian Services Award and the Distinguished Institutional Awards for any corporate, think tank, civil society organization or state institution, which had been able to distinguish itself.

Professor Akosua Adomako Ampofo, ExLA Awards Board Chairperson, said the board is made up of seven distinguished people, who would ensure that the right persons were put up for the awards.

Mr. Daniel Osei-Tuffour, Executive Director, ExLA Group, organizers of ExLA Awards, said the award was a non-governmental one dedicated to the empowerment of individuals, particularly the youth, for active leadership, corporate life and entrepreneurship.

He said the vision of ExLA Group was to become the premier source of hope and aspiration for empowerment, as well as quality and transformational leadership in Ghana and Africa.

He said since 2011, ExLA Group had successfully initiated and organized 16 projects and programmes including three ExLA Awrads, marathon training series, corporate and entrepreneurship training programmes, leadership conferences among others.

“In August 2014, we are introducing a two level Executive Certificate in Corporate and Entrepreneurship Training at both the Intermediate and Advance Levels," he added.