Reconciliation International has conferred the Community Leadership Award on His Excellency Mr. John Agyekum Kufuor, President of the Republic of Ghana in London in recognition of his extraordinary leadership qualities and outstanding statesmanship

The special Community Leadership shield and the accompanying Certificate of Excellence was presented by Baroness Valerie Amos, the Leader of the House of Lords.

The award was received on the President?s behalf by Mr. Isaac Osei, Ghana?s High Commissioner to the UK.

The high profile event was organised by the UK-based Reconciliation International in commemoration of this year?s Black History Month to recognise outstanding black heroes for their contribution towards the development of their communities and humanity as a whole.

Presenting the award, Baroness Amos lauded President Kufuor for raising the profile of Ghana by pushing through a wide range of political and economic reforms and for distinguishing himself as a peace-broker in the West African sub region and beyond.

Ghana?s envoy to the UK thanked Reconciliation International for the award on behalf of the President and added that the gesture would ginger Ghanaians to strive to achieve excellence wherever they find themselves.

Also honoured at the event were Baroness Valerie Ann Amos, the first black woman in the British Cabinet, for mentoring and her role model for black people, Mr. Ken Livingston, Mayor of Greater London, for dedicated leadership, Mr. Lee Jasper, Senior Policy Advisor on Equalities for the Mayor of London, for his unwavering commitment to the development of people of African origin and Afi Ansah Ampene, producer of Mmaa Nkomo talk show, for championing the development of Women and Children in Ghana.

Other awards winners were Reverend Matthew Ashimolowo, founder of Kingsway International Christian Centre, for inspirational and spiritual leadership, Dr. Emmanuel Akuffo a Ghanaian Consultant Psychiatrist at the St. Bartholomew Hospital, for his selfless and untiring devotion to the development of the Ghanaian community in the UK, Reverend Kojo Ntiamoah Amaning, founder of Ghanama Presbyterian Church, for his pioneering and leadership role and Honourable Stanley Ohajururka, Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly in Nigeria for exceptional leadership.

Other individuals who received awards were Bishop Doey Agama , representative of Apostolic Anglican Church in Northern England and Ireland; Bishop Hugh Osgood, founder of Cornerstone Christian Centre; Lord Toby Harris, former leader of the Haringey Council; Mr. David Sean, Treasurer of the Broadwater Resident?s Association; Mr. Uzo Owunne, founder of International Non-Governmental Organisation, INGO; Classford Sterling, Youth & Sports Instructor for Broadwater Resident?s Association.

Ghana Tours, operators of chartered flights to Ghana; the Nigerian Ministry of Co-operation and Integration for Africa, Ghana Nurses Association UK, African Caribbean Evangelical Alliance; Moneygram International, OBE TV, Choice FM and the Haringey Peace Alliance received awards for their meritorious contribution to their respective communities.

Among dignitaries who attended the Awards Night were Hon. David Lammy, Member of Parliament for Tottenham and the British Minister for Arts and Culture, Sharon Grant, wife of the late Bernie Grant, an outspoken minority rights activist, chiefs, Representatives of Ghanaian Associations in the UK and other community leaders, professionals and people from all walks of life.

Bishop Dr. Frimpong Manso, founder of Reconciliation International Ministry, a member of the Apostolic Congress of Great Britain which provides spiritual and bereavement support for the African community in the UK, said the event was targeted at celebrating excellence and recognising the work of ?unsung heroes? in our communities.