Accra, Nov. 25, GNA - Dr. Mary Chinery-Hesse, former Chief Adviser to former President John Agyekum Kufuor, has been awarded the Gusi Peace Prize for International Diplomacy and Humanitarianism.

An official statement released by Mr Frank Agyekum, Spokesperson for former President Kufuor, said the presentation was made at a gala event in Manila, Philippines, on Wednesday.

It said the occasion was witnessed by several of her colleagues from all over the world, as well as representatives from the many international organizations and countries she has been associated with. It said the Gusi Peace Prize is a Filipino-based Award that honours distinguished individuals from the four corners of the globe who represented the most brilliant examples of those working towards the attainment of peace and respect for human life and dignity.

The statement said the award has been referred to as the Asian equivalent of the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Gusi Peace Prize is given each year to about 15 distinguished individuals or groups worldwide with exemplary contributions to human rights, Scientific Discoveries, Performing Arts, Medicine, Economics, and Internationalism, among others.

Dr Chinery-Hesse, who is a retired Deputy Director-General of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and former Under Secretary-General of the United Nations, is the first African Woman to receive the Award. The citation accompanying the Award to Dr. Mary Chinery-Hesse read: "Mary Chinery-Hesse has had distinguished careers in her Country's Civil Service and at the United Nations. In the UN and in numerous other Organizations, she continues to be an important voice on economic development issues, an ardent defender of human rights, particularly women's rights and gender equality, as well as an active advocate for African imperatives."