Monrovia, Liberia – The 12th African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year Awards 2023 have recognised Liberia’s President, George Manne Weah, the former President of Tanzania Jakaya Kikwete, and President William Ruto of Kenya, after the two-stage selection procedure that comprised an online voting poll that closed on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at midnight (CAT) and a request for nominations.
Results from the online poll, which drew votes from all over the world and Africa, led to a 29% increase in the number of votes cast in the 2023 edition of the poll, helped the three winners win the titles of African of the Year, African Political Leader of the Year, and African Peace and Security Leader of the Year, respectively.
The winner of African Political Leader of the Year went to George Manneh Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia, African of the Year William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, and African Peace and Security Leader of the Year Dr Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, former President of the United Republic of Tanzania.
President Weah’s selection comes as he is being praised for his extraordinary choice to concede loss to Unity Party Joseph Boakai after a fiercely fought presidential runoff election on November 14, 2023.
The ALM Person of the Year Awards are Africa’s most prestigious vote-based recognition programme, given out each year to notable Africans who have improved the continent’s reputation by positively transforming its previously held bad image. Africans from all over the world have the chance to participate in the celebration of leaders who have contributed to the growth and development of Africa through the two-step selection procedure.
The winner of the 2023 edition of the ALM Persons of the Year Awards made significant strides and remarkable contributions to the African renaissance in the year under review, especially in driving sustainable development, fostering economic growth, and promoting peace and political stability across the continent, said Dr. Ken Giami, chairman of the African Leadership Organisation and publisher of the African Leadership Magazine, in his remarks.
Additionally, Dr. Giami claimed that their actions, policies, and sacrifices have improved healthcare and education, bolstered regional peace and cooperation, and laid the groundwork for substantial progress, economic growth, and the development of human capital throughout Africa.
The African Union headquarters, the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, will host the flagship annual ALM Persons of the Year awards ceremony on February 22–23, 2024, where the winners and runners-up will be publicly bestowed with instruments of honour. The unveiling of the special POTY Edition of African Leadership Magazine and Africa’s Leading Customs & Ports Administrators’ Yearbook 2024, along with the global third-party commendation awards and multi-dimension high-level networking session, will be the ceremony’s main highlights. The Ethiopia Custom Commission is co-hosting the event.
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