Monrovia – Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim, founder of the Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership has told FrontPageAfrica that former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has proven to women in Africa that there is no glass ceiling for women’s achievement in leadership.
Report by Lennart Dodoo, [email protected]
“It is an achievement for African girls and women that there is no glass ceiling and they can really help to move Africa forward,” he said while commenting on the awarding of the prestigious prize to former President Sirleaf.
In an exclusive interview with this newspaper via mobile phone on Monday, February 12, Mr. Ibrahim said Liberians should be proud of the former President’s achievements. He noted that the Foundation’s Index of African Governance of over a hundred parameters in rule of law, security, health, education, amongst others, discovered Liberia as the only country that improved in all four pillars of the index.
He said the award given to Madam Sirleaf is “in a way a recognition for the Liberian people who went through some terrible experiences: The civil war was really terrible, the toll was huge, human cost and then of course it fractured the economy and the Ebola crisis that was painful.
For Liberia to manage to really move into a peaceful society which is able to move forward and select a next President in a proper and peaceful manner and still standing as a country, I think that is a major achievement”.
The Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership awarded to Madam Sirleaf recognizes her relentless commitment to human rights and democracy in Liberia.
“Ms. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has tirelessly strived for peace and national reconciliation since she took over the Presidency of her country which was torn by civil war,” a statement from the Foundation stated.
Ellen Johson-Sirleaf, who served terms as President of Liberia from 2006 to 2017, is the fifth recipient of the Ibrahim Prize.
The Ibrahim Prize aims to distinguish African leaders who, during their time in office, have developed their countries, strengthened democracy and human rights for the shared benefit of their people, and advanced sustainable development.
In its citation to the former Liberian President, who is yet the only democratically elected female head of state on the continent, the Prize Committee praised her exceptional and transformative leadership, in the face of unprecedented and renewed challenges, to lead Liberia’s recovery following many years of devastating civil war.
Announcing the decision, Dr Salim Ahmed Salim, Chair of the Prize Committee, said: “Ellen Johnson Sirleaf took the helm of Liberia when it was completely destroyed by civil war and led a process of reconciliation that focused on building a nation and its democratic institutions.
Throughout her two terms in office, she worked tirelessly on behalf of the people of Liberia.
Such a journey cannot be without some shortcomings and, today, Liberia continues to face many challenges. Nevertheless, during her 12 years in office, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf laid the foundations on which Liberia can now build.”