The Afro-Asian Development Organisation (AARDO) has honoured Professor Kwamena Ahwoi, Principal Lecturer at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, with an award for his immense contribution to Ghana’s decentralization, local government administration and rural development.

A statement from the India High Commission and made available to the Ghana News Agency said the award was conferred on him by Shri Jairam Ramesh, the Minister of Rural Development, at a ceremony in New Delhi to mark the 50th anniversary celebration of AARDO.

In a citation, the Organisation paid glowing tribute to ProfAhwoi’s immense contribution towards the success of Ghana’s decentralization, local government administration and rural development and in consolidating AARDO’s activities in West Africa in his almost 12 years as a Minister in Ghana.

Prof Ahwoi was President of the organization between 1991 and 1993.

Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development who led Ghana’s delegation to the anniversary, said the occasion provided a unique opportunity for AARDO to come out with innovative ideas to attract more countries and create more resources to support member countries in the area of poverty reduction and capacity building.

He said Ghana had benefitted consistently in the area of capacity building for various public and private sector officials through a wide range of training programmes under AARDO sponsorship in India, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea and Nigeria, contributing to the development of human capital of Ghana.

The Minister said the Ministry had in collaboration with some District Assemblies since 1998 benefitted from AARDO funding to the tune of over $100,000 to resource a number of rural based cottage industries and other facilities.

One of the highlights of the opening ceremony was the screening of a documentary on Rural Development in Ghana.

AARDO was established in 1962 to foster Afro-Asian collaboration to promote rural poverty reduction and build capacity as well as human capital in member countries.

Ghana joined the organization in 1965 and had benefitted from the orgaisation in the area of micro enterprise finance for selected groups in eight districts in Ghana.