Chissano to receive grand award today

THE stage is fully set here for today’s prize presentation to former Mozambican president Joaquim Alberto Chissano (68), the inaugural Laureate of the Achievement in African Leadership Award.

Chissano who resigned last year choosing not to seek a third term which the constitution allowed, has won 5 million US dollars prize.

The award was established by the London-based Sudanese Dr Mo Ibrahim to fight corruption and encourage good governance in the continent.

Said to be the largest individual award in the world, the prize also grants the winner up to dollars 200,000 a year for 10 years towards his public interest activities and good causes.

The award has been controversial though, with some saying the mobile phone business tycoon was using the power of money to buy influence on a grand scale, which was in itself a form of corruption that he says he wanted to see eradicated in the continent.

However, in earlier statements, Dr Ibrahim has defended his initiative saying for bringing peace and working for prosperous future of his country, Chissano was a role model "not just for Africa but the rest of the world."

Former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, chair of the selection committee, has also defended the award.

"The prize celebrates more than just good governance. It celebrates leadership," said Mr Annan in a statement. The winner was announced in London on October 22, this year.

All African leaders who had resigned in the last three years were seriously discussed for their achievements. Tanzania's former president, Benjamin Mkapa was also a hot contender for the award and some said the difference between him and Mr Chissano was almost a matter of tossing a coin.

Sources said Mr Mkapa was due to arrive here yesterday to attend the ceremony as a board member of the Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICFA) but will certainly be highly celebrated as a political cheerleader in his own right.

Mr Chissano is also winner of UN-Habitat's Award for his tireless work then to put urbanisation issues on the AU agenda successfully. He is also the agency's Goodwill Ambassador for our Youth Activities.