The Africa Bar Association has bestowed President Akufo-Addo with the Medal of Merit in Leadership Award.
The President of the Association, Hannibal Egbe Uwaifo, explained that the award recognizes President Akufo-Addo’s pan-Africanist ideals, commitment to combating corruption, outstanding governance, and enduring statesmanship.
“The Award was conferred on President Akufo-Addo because he is “a pan-Africanist, Anti-Corruption Crusader, a rare democratic leader in the field of good governance, a true African Statesman whose legacies present African leaders must emulate, and we are minded to say will stand the test of time,” Mr Uwaifo added.
Expressing gratitude for the honor, President Akufo-Addo acknowledged the esteemed status of lawyers in African societies and their pivotal role in liberation struggles.
“In all our countries, it must be a source of pride for us that lawyers were at the forefront of the fight for liberation from colonialism. Indeed, since independence, lawyers have moved seamlessly between politics and the legal profession,” he stated.
Speaking at the 2023 Annual Conference of the African Bar Association in Pretoria, South Africa, President Akufo-Addo emphasized the need for Africa to define its narrative, promote intra-African trade, and challenge colonial economic models.
He underscored the significance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a historic opportunity for fostering intra-African trade, job creation, and economic growth.
The President highlighted that unity, stability, and democratic governance are vital for realizing the AfCFTA’s potential and achieving transformative industrialization across the continent.
President Akufo-Addo urged governments and businesses to provide bold leadership in embracing this pivotal moment in Africa’s journey towards prosperity.