Ugandan lawyer and UN-Under Secretary General, Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflicts, Mr Olara A. Otunnu has been awarded the 2002 Africa prize of the German Africa Foundation.

He was presented with the award made in the fashion of the globe, being carried by three people carved in bronze and a citation, which read, "You are being awarded for your specific efforts to protect the rights of African Children."

Mr Otunnu was presented with the award at the ninth award ceremony of the foundation in Berlin on Thursday. Among the dignitaries present at the ceremony was President J.A. Kufuor on the second day of his three-day official visit to Germany.

German President Johannes Rau, who made the presentation, said Mr Otunnu was being honoured for bringing a ray of hope to people living in the dark. President Rau said it was through the ingenuity of Mr Otunnu that UNICEF raised the minimum age at which children could join the army to 18 years and ensured that the objective was achieved.

He said Mr Otunnu was practically committed to caring for six orphaned children in Uganda. President Rau said Ghana's successful elections in 2000 marked the re-birth of democracy in Africa, adding that the though the country had experienced some political upheavals it was now a stable and democratic country, which was having a stabilising effect in West Africa.

He gave the assurance that the G-8 meeting next month would adopt an action plan on Africa so that the NEPAD initiative could be effectively and operated. President Rau appealed to developing countries, especially those in Europe to open up their markets for products from Africa.

Mr Otunnu commended Germany for its pioneering role and efforts in advocating support for children affected by conflicts in Africa. He said the award was being dedicated to the protection, well being and the rights of children affected by war in the world, especially in Africa.

Mr Otunnu said African children counted on world leaders for unity instead of division and said democracy should prevail on the continent Africa. He called for more investment in the African youth to enable them to contribute to the development of their respective countries.