1995 Africa Prize for Leadership
Announcement Event, Accra, Ghana

Mr. President, Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests,

Friends of Africa around the world,

I am thrilled to be back in Ghana. Ghana is the perfect venue for today's announcement, because the people and leadership of Ghana embody what the Africa Prize stands for.

President Rawlings has restored the qualities of integrity, service and dedication to the well-being of the people.

Under his leadership, Ghana was among the first nations in sub-Saharan Africa to enact far-reaching social and economic reforms. It did so in ways that shifted the development consensus - from a focus merely on economic growth, to placing human issues at the center of development.

President Rawlings stands firm. In harsh economic times he demands more, not less investment in the health and education of Ghana's people.

Ghana demonstrates what development means for the ordinary person:

· investment in education is one of the highest in Africa

· public expenditure on health increased 100% in the late 1980s.

· new laws and programs empower farmers, particularly women farmers.

· and decision-making has been extended from the capital to the countryside - giving people genuine voice in issues that affect their lives.

It is no surprise that during the period of President Rawling's leadership, infant mortality rates have dropped from 102 deaths per 1000 live births to 81.

In short, with the leadership of President Rawlings, the people of Ghana have transformed their nation from economic crisis to an example of self-reliance and hope.

These human issues of participation, health, education and women's empowerment are at the forefront of the agenda not only of Africa, but of the entire world community.

The world today has set a new agenda. It is an agenda for sustainable human development.

This agenda has been forged in an extraordinary process of World Summits.

From the World Summit for Children, through the Summits in Rio, Cairo and Copenhagen, leaders of virtually every nation have committed to a comprehensive set of goals for all humanity. Never before has such a universal consensus emerged. This represents a turning point in history.

We have lived through a century dominated by war and the threat of war. Human issues were often termed the "soft issues." Yet there is nothing soft about them.

They are among the hardest, most complex challenges humanity has ever faced.

Challenges of hunger and poverty, health, population and the environment are literally a matter of life and death for millions. They are also the primary threat to security and peace for all of us, now and in the future.

A striking fact of this agenda is that these issues cannot be resolved by governments alone. In order to achieve this agenda, we must mobilize the creativity and productivity of people at all levels of society.

This demands a revolution in people's participation.

This revolution has four key elements:

· respect for human rights

· democratic decision making

· active government support and encouragement for grassroots associations

· and full participation by women.

This revolution in people's participation is already underway.

Across the continent, we see the flowering of democracy. Vital and energetic people's organizations are emerging. They are forming the basis of a vibrant civil society. And after a long period of silence, women are finding their voice, and asserting their leadership to transform their societies.

In just a few weeks, the spotlight of world attention will be on Beijing. This women's conference will reaffirm that humanity's future depends not only on women's emancipation and full equality, but also on women's leadership.

In this, too, Ghana sets a shining example. Ghana's First Lady Mrs. Nana Rawlings, and her 31st December Women's Movement, are internationally recognized for their outstanding contributions to the future of this nation. And the Africa Prize jury has honored the pioneering contributions of another outstanding daughter of Africa - Dr. Esther Ocloo - as the first of several women to receive the Africa Prize.

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Ghana, and an increasing number of other nations in Africa, are taking the bold and often difficult steps to achieve the new human agenda.

This alone, however, is not enough. African nations, like all nations, will only fully succeed with authentic global partnership.

Such partnership is not based on sympathy. It is not between the weak and the strong. It is between those who see their shared future in bringing together their united strengths.

That is why, for those of us committed to Africa, the most powerful argument for global partnership is not the needs but the strengths of Africa. Africa's own responsibility, its spirit of self-reliance, its progress -- these are the keys to calling forth greater support for Africa.

The truth is, global partnership is not only essential for the continued progress of Africa. It is indispensable for the progress of all humanity.

In this increasingly mobile and interdependent world, challenges of health, poverty, population growth, environmental degradation and political strife respect no borders. These are truly global challenges.

At a time when the health and vitality of every nation is rooted in global interdependence, it is ironic, short-sighted and morally wrong for powerful voices in developed nations to call for a retreat from global participation and partnership.

The Hunger Project stands for global partnership. The Africa Prize intends not only to call forth leadership in Africa, but also to garner the aid, trade and investment that Africa requires and deserves.

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen:

We stand at the threshold of a new millennium. The agenda for Africa, and for the entire world community is clear.

Making it real will require unyielding commitment, extraordinary effectiveness and a breakthrough in human solidarity. Most of all, it requires leadership.

The Hunger Project is honored to stand in partnership with the leaders and people of Africa in making this new future a reality.

Mr. President, on behalf of the worldwide constituency of The Hunger Project, may I thank you for presiding over today's ceremony.

Highlights from the 1995 Africa Prize Ceremony