Through a keenly contested 3-step points-based selection process, which included a call for nomination; a call for online voting for shortlisted nominees; and the editorial board’s final review of the nominations and voting submission, winners in the 12 categories of the 2021 African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA) were unveiled by the African Leadership Magazine.
According to a news report, the contested awards attracted over 300, 000 entries on the website and across social media platforms, as well as submissions via email and physical posts from Africans across the continent and in the Diaspora.
Despite the stiff contest, the Bank of Ghana was awarded the Central Bank of the Year Award. This honorary award was also previously conferred on the Bank of Ghana by the Central Banking Awards Committee for the bank’s successful implementation of monetary policy and an impressive achievement in reforming the banking sector in Ghana.
Upon receiving the award from the Central Banking Awards Committee, Dr Ernest Addision said, “It is a great privilege for the Bank of Ghana to be named the Central Bank of the Year, and I thank the team at Central Banking for the honour done us. This award reflects our vision to build a central bank of excellence that is well-respected by stakeholders, and further strengthens our resolve to continue to implement sound monetary and financial sector policies”.
Kwadwo Safo Junior, CEO, Kantanka Group Ghana also emerged as a bigger winner at ABLA. He was adjudged the “Young Business Leader of the Year” award. It is an award well deserved given his strife to ensure Ghana’s first made in Ghana cars can compete favourably on the international markets.
“We have a plan to build sports cars, buses and really expand in Africa with more models,” he once said in an interview with CNN.
“Once you are determined and you want to do it, it’s not hard,” he further said.
Also winning big at the ceremony is Patience Akyianu, Chief Executive Officer of Hollard Group in Ghana, Kwame Osei-Prempeh, Group CEO, Ghana Oil Company Limited.
Patience Akyianu was awarded “African Female Business Leader of the Year” while Kwame Osei-Prempeh was awarded “Industry Personality of the Year.”
