The International Directorate of African Affairs, International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA) has announced Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan as winner of this year’s SDGs Presidential Gold Award.
A statement issued by international spokesman of IAWPA, Amb. Emmanuel Nkweke, said President Suluhu Hassan has, within the short period in office, shown that leadership is vital to achieving the cardinal objectives which the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals programme entails.
The statement specifically cited the political peace and stability in Tanzania today as a result of her political wisdom, which has seen to the release of political prisoners and rapprochement with the opposition.
The statement cited the increase in life expectancy rate in the country from 50 to 66 years, increase in number of women in governance which it described as the highest in the continent, investment in quality education as well as improvement of the health infrastructure of Tanzania among others.
“Her Excellency, Ms. Samia Suluhu Hassan the President of Tanzania will be making double history as the first female president to receive the 2022 Sustainable Development Goals Presidential Gold Award and the unique international Peace Prize Award thereby joining the league of presidents in Africa to receive this award.
“It will be recalled that the Liberian president George Weah, former Botswana president Seretse Khama Ian Khama were the past recipients of this prestigious international award,” the statement said.
Tanzania under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan is one of the fastest developing countries in East Africa today which has seen it attain a lower-middle-income country status, as well as reducing poverty rate. These achievements, according to the statement, “are in line in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals SDGs hence the SDG Presidential Gold Award.”
Nkweke said the ceremony will be chaired by Sheikh Dr. Almad Mussa Salumu, with the special appearance of Amb. Princess Toyin Kolade, a global diplomat and eminent peace ambassador attending the event with her team of entourage from Nigeria.