The Global Center for Transformational Leadership (GCTL) will in February 2013 honor the late President John Evans Atta Mills and President John Dramani Mahama, for their exemplary leadership that has increased cooperation and understanding between Ghana and the world, and their resolute support for advancing democratic governance.

The highest honor of the day; the Africa Prize For Transformational Leadership 2012, will be awarded posthumously to late President John Evans Atta Mills. Previous winners of the top prize are Ex President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah of Sierra Leone (2010) and President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria (2011). President elect, John Mahama’s book /memoir, “My First Coup D’état” also won the Global Center Gold Literary Prize. Interestingly, this is the first time a non-person will be awarded that prestigious prize.

The book has been widely acclaimed as one of the best literary work of its time with Chinua Achebe in his rave review commenting that “With crisp yet sweeping prose, John Mahama’s memoir, My First Coup d’Etat, provides insights into Ghana’s, and by extension, Africa’s struggle to weather its historical burden and engage with a world much removed from her dilemma. Without sentimentality or condescension, he exposes homegrown African pathologies and helps us understand several contradictions of our postcolonial condition. His is a much welcome work of immense relevance to African studies and deserves serious critical attention." Disclosing this in an exclusive interview with The Al-Hajj, the Chairman of GCTL, Most Rev Dr. Godwin P. Davids noted that this year’s awards, was originally scheduled for Johannesburg, South Africa, but has been shifted to Accra to honor late President John Evans Atta Mills

According to him distinguished persons in all spheres of endeavor will be honored for their noble contribution to the nation and to Africa. “Several leading persons in governance in Ghana and Africa including ex ministers of state, current ministers of state, ex parliamentarians and current parliamentarians will be honored for their distinguished service to nation” Dr Davids revealed that the Speaker of Parliament, Rt Honorable Justice Joyce Bamford Addo will receive the Africa Prize For Transformational Leadership (Female Category)

“His Excellency, Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, Vice President of Ghana will also be honored in the financial and economic planning category for his prudent financial management during his tenure as governor of the central bank” he added Others nominated for awards in the various category includes the Managing Editor of the Al-Hajj Newspaper, Alhaji Bature Idris, Hon Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Communication, Madam Hannah Tetteh, Minister of Trade and Industry and Hon Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development. Others include Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, General Sercretary of the National Democratic Congress, Hon Paapa Owusu Ankomah, Member of Parliament for Hon Sekondi, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, Minority Mensah and several others. The full list of 40 award winners will be released at the end this month.