The Initiators of Change Foundation, an organization focused on governance, poverty reduction, empowerment, and human resource development, has presented Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia with a Lifetime in A Portrait Award after naming him Africa’s Digital Revolutionary Leader of the Decade.
A citation accompanying the award read: “Upon your assumption of office as The Vice President of Ghana, we recognize that you have re-directed Ghana’s manual systems to that of digitization to fast-track the national development agenda.
“You spearheaded the paperless and digitization agenda of Ghana to formalize and transform the country’s economy and further bring about inclusion. Notable among your initiatives include the Zipline technology otherwise known as drones for quicker healthcare delivery, paperless National Health Insurance registration and renewal, paperless port system, digitization of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), National Digital Property Addressing System, National ID Cards, ECG power purchase made easy, mobile payments interoperability platform, and many others.
“These technology advancements have lowered the cost of conducting business while increasing productivity.
“For these and many more, the Initiators of Change Foundation would want to honour you as ‘Africa’s Digital Revolutionary Leader of the Decade’ in recognition and appreciation of the positive impact you have made on society and the development of Ghana.”
The Foundation, represented by its Executive Director, Kofi Gyan, and several members of the Board of Trustees, including Most Rev Dr Aboagye-Mensah, former Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, presented the Award to Dr Bawumia at the Jubilee House in Accra on Tuesday, 13 July 2021. The Foundation praised the Vice President for “the good work he is doing” to help accelerate Ghana’s development.
The award, a pencil art painting of Dr Bawumia, is intended to represent the lasting legacy of Dr Bawumia’s efforts and is given “in acknowledgment and appreciation of the good effect you have had on society and the development of Ghana,” according to the statement.
Mr Gyan explained that the Foundation had previously recognized and awarded several distinguished individuals, including all past Presidents, some politicians, and civil servants, and that a decision was made to recognize and award distinguished public servants to commemorate a special occasion in the Foundation’s life.
“This year, 2021, the Foundation is 10 years, and as part of our 10th anniversary, the Board decided that we should focus on public servants, because public servants are also doing a lot in terms of the development of the country. Your Excellency, after deliberations, considerations and research, your name came up, as ‘Africa’s Digital Revolutionary Leader of the Decade’.”
Vice President Bawumia expressed gratitude to the Foundation for the “great honor” bestowed upon him and pledged his continued commitment to achieving President Akufo-Addo’s vision of moving Ghana to the next stage of development while reducing the burden on the poor and vulnerable, who are largely excluded from society.
“This is why we thought digitization and the digital revolution in Ghana would be one of the key ways of helping the poor and include them,” he explained.
The Initiators of Change Foundation (ICF) is a non-governmental organization dedicated to governance, poverty alleviation, empowerment, and human resource development. Most Rev Dr Aboagye-Mensah, former Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church; Prof (Mrs) Miranda Greenstreet; Prof Alexa Ntim Abankwa; Hon Kwame Amporfo Twumasi; Dr Joyce Aryee; Dr Mrs Nana Yaa Owusu-Prempeh; and Dr Isaac Owusu Mensah serve on its Board of Trustees. Life Patron is former President John Agyekum Kufuor.
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SOURCE: ATLFM ONLINE
