The 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party Nana Akufo-Addo has congratulated Ghanaian international journalist, Jefferson Sackey, for winning the prestigious Planet Africa Award.

Sackey won the award alongside Dr. Julius Garvey, son of the legendary social activist Marcus Garvey and Canada's Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports, Honorable Michael Coteau.

Nana Akufo-Addo who is on an official visit to Canada on a campaign mission took the opportunity to wish the Ghanaian journalist well for projecting Ghana and Africa positively on the global stage.

Sackey worked with Nana Akufo-Addo as a Media Relations Officer while he was Ghana's Foreign Minister and travelled with him on high profile missions.

The ceremony brought together Ministers, Councilors, Mayors and a cross section of the African and Caribbean community in North America to recognize hard work, leadership and excellence.

In the official citation, Sackey was awarded for ''being an innovative and creative individual who has raised the bar in the media industry and uses his platform to increase awareness regarding issues that affect society across Africa and beyond.''

The Planet Africa laureate is Canada's biggest awards for people of African descent established in 2004. It recognizes hard work, excellence and professionalism.

The aim is to showcase deserving individuals, organizations, businesses and agencies that make a profound difference in the lives of people of African heritage globally.

Past recipients include Nobel Prize winner, Professor Wole Soyinka, Olympic Gold Medalist, Daniel Igali, Nuclear Scientist, Dr. Sylvester Osamusali, movie and television star, Isaiah Washington and Legendary Singer, Yvonne Chaka, among other highly accomplished individuals and organizations.