New Patriotic Party (NPP) flag bearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has received the prestigious Mother Teresa Memorial International Award for Social Justice. He used the occasion to stress the need for all governments to step up efforts towards defeating terrorism through education and peace.
He said the threat of terror is perhaps the greatest danger the world faces at the moment.
Coveted Award
Nana Akufo-Addo was not in Mumbai, India, for the awards ceremony due to his hectic campaign engagements and was represented by former minister Hackman Owusu-Agyeman and his team.
He was the main speaker and delivered a keynote address through Mr. Owusu-Agyeman on the theme, “Combating Terror Through Education and Peace.”
The award is given to people all over the world who distinguish themselves in the areas of democracy, human rights and social justice; and it is coming at a time the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its leadership have made it their agenda to paint Nana Addo black with spurious allegation of violence.
Combating Terrorism
Nana Akufo-Addo said that misinformation and indoctrination had led to religious conflicts and terrorism and called for special attention to what he called “particular curriculum that identifies indoctrination.”
Nana said the time has come for all governments to take “an abiding interest” in educating the young people, adding, “This way people with terrorist inclinations will not infiltrate the education system to unleash unto the world an army of youth who are happy to die for the selfish interests of the so-called warlords.”
He said, “We have to pay attention to what the youth imbibe in their various educational institutions, both religious and secular, otherwise we will continue to become pawns for terrorist organizations.”
Emphasis On Education
Nana Akufo-Addo said he has always maintained that “education is the ultimate leveler,” asserting, “I’ve constantly argued that for any society to make progress, it must educate its entire population without exception.
“I propose and still maintain that an Akufo-Addo government in Ghana will make education accessible and free up to the senior high school level for everybody. I want them to be educated so that they would not be used to cause mayhem.”
Democratic Institutions
He said governments, particularly those in Africa, should ensure that democratic institutions can deliver opportunities and prosperity to Africa’s longsuffering peoples, noting that Africa’s opportunities and challenge are virtually the same.
“We have societies that present limited opportunities for the masses. What Africa needs above all is value addition, especially in the educational system that will provide the necessary skills for every child. I’ve made education the foundation for my vision, to build a knowledge-based industrialized economy in Ghana,” he pointed out.
Nana Akufo-Addo said, “Our human potential and capital has not been developed fully on our continent’s rich resources. Until we bridge the gap, we are squandering opportunities that could move us forever from a culture of handouts towards the creation of dignified and confident society.”
He posited, “Participants in dignified societies would hardly be available to be used in senseless wars for people who do not have their countries and the world at heart,” and urged leaderships to always prioritize issues concerning injustice to guarantee peace.
African Elites
Nana Addo said in Africa, a few elite in the ruling class control all the resources saying, “Rising economic inequality is threatening not only economic stability, but our democratic political systems. In far too many countries, the benefit of wealth is not being equitably distributed. This is not recipe for stability and sustainability; and until the inequalities are reserved, it may be difficult to eliminate terrorism.”
Glowing Tribute
He paid a glowing posthumous tribute to the iconic Mother Theresa, “The story of Mother Theresa’s influence on the world will continue to be told perhaps till the end of time.”
He also commended highly the organizers, particularly Dr. Abraham Mathai, President of the Foundation, noting, “For the world to recognize the effort of a small man from a small West African country towards attainment of peace and security in our world is most heartwarming.”
He said India, although a nuclear country, “inspires most of us in Africa because it is always at the forefront of efforts to promote peace, understanding and multiculturalism.”
Nana’s Role
Dr. Mathai, explaining the decision to choose Nana Akufo-Addo for the award said, “The manner in which you (Nana Akufo-Addo) sacrificed your presidential ambition by accepting to preserve peace in the West African nation of Ghana, at a time of high tension, thereby preventing civil war, is truly remarkable.”
He further said that Nana Akufo-Addo’s “statesman-like qualities have truly distinguished you as the defender of democracy which should be emulated far and beyond.”
Source: Daily Guide
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I attended special church service organised by a powerful man of God. After several hours the man of God requested the gathering to pray for ghana since we are in election year and several stories of violence are emerging from all corners of the countryafter hours of prayers for the nation. The man of God advised all to continue to pray for ghana so that God will turn any hidden agenda to plant the nation into war is directed to the evil one. After the whole story the man of God asked all NPP followers to show by hand and surprisingly out of the total of 700 to 1000 people about 92 percent were followers of the NPP and the rest 5 to 4 percent were NDC followers this to me indicate that majority of Ghanaians believe in the NPP so Nana stay bless and let the battle still remains the lord's
Nana Akufu Addo; how on earth can anybody associate this man of wisdom& intelligence with violence & all the lot of stories from e NDCS painting this gentleman with several negatives be awarded with man of peace. God has blessed him fully. This why NDC feels they must paint him black & finally to destroy him fully but who Jah bless no one curse, Nana Addo Krakye Dentteh Congratulations & may e Lord be with u & guard u all e days u stay here on planet Earth. Amen God be with u& your good wife Becky Akufu who is spiritually watching & Praying for you always.AMEN oooooooooo.
In fact the presidential candidate of the opposition party in Ghana west Africa NPP Nana Akufo Addo is a great mentor to the whole youth and leaders in the world if the world is bless to have people like him about ten 10 the whole world would have no know anything like war or terrorism a good man like Nana Akufo Addo who is a leader but love his people and his mother land than the leadership,he loves peace to be a leader then war to be a leader Nana Akufo Addo is the definition of democracy in the world may almighty Allah bless him and bless the whole world to have people like him across the world.
When isee Ghanaians who are unwise like u people i begin to pity, always talking without thinking, he is violent and yet those who claim not to be violent are going rounds telling people to vote for them cos they are northners, no wonder the country is like this so far as we have disrespectul and unwise people like u among us. Common sense is all u need just as ghanaians need change.....Congrats to the upcoming presdoo
There was NO AWARD biaaa.Go to the programme website,Nana Addo was only billed to speak at the function.If you dont stop this armchair journalism,this country will continue to be blindly ***barred word***. Go to the official webiste of the programme and tell us the truth.
India award? It will not change anything. Y3nim no frifri tete! All Die Be Die man. We know him and went further to confirm his violent side in 2012. What proof is anyone looking for?
Tweaaaaaa. some award indeed.which social justice? after engaging in ethnic and tribal bigotry .this crook is just deceiving u . he is very violent. ask Atiwa people. yekyere biribi kakraaa.
Nana, Congratulations. The world has spoken and the verdict is clear. Those who have ears let them hear. Those who lack understanding let them ask of the Lord and He will freely give. Looking forward to your inauguration as the next President of the Republic of Ghana in January 2017. God bless you