13th African Achievers’ Awards announces jury

Following it’s recent call for nominations seeking applications into categories of its honorary roll call of distinguished individuals who have made impact in the African Continent, the African Achievers’ Awards (AAA) has announced its jury for the 13th edition.

The event set to hold at the House of Parliament, The Palace of Westminster, United Kingdom England on July 14, 2023, aims at providing a platform for industry leaders in Africa to converge, and discuss strategies towards sustainability in Africa. The theme for 2023 is: “Unlocking Sustainable Trade and Investment Opportunities in Africa – the PPP Approach”.

Nominees are selected in the categories of: Community development, Arts & Culture, Business & Entrepreneurship Agriculture, Community Service, Rural Development, and Education.

This year’s edition is hosted by Right Honorable Lord Simon Woolley, Member of the House of Lords, UK Parliament. Palace of Westminster. Lord Woolley was the chair of the Government of the United Kingdom Race Disparity Unit Advisory Group until July 2020.

He is a British politician, activist, and the founder and director of Operation Black Vote and Trustee of the charity Police Now. Lord Woolley is first Black Principal of the Homerton College, Cambridge University. Woolley has been a crossbench member of the House of Lords since October 2019.

The judges for the 2013 edition are: Former President of Mauritius, H.E. Dr. Bibi Ameenah Firdaus Gurib-Fakim; Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Dr. Susan Jumoke Fajana-Thomas OBE, DCL. Chairperson AAA and Former Trade Adviser on Infrastructure at the Department of International Trade (DIT) of the British High Commission in Ghana, Selork Kofi Dake.

Other members of the jury for the 2023 AAA edition are: Founder of Wintrade Global, Dr. Yvonne Thompson, CBE, FRSA, Deputy Lieutenant for the King for Greater London and Dr. Rex Idaminabo, FRSA.

Dr. Tonye Rex Idaminabo FRSA is a Reputation management expert, lawyer and serial entrepreneur recognised by Forbes and Avance Media.

Dr. Rex is the CEO of Reputation Poll International, a developmental branding and business innovation agency who has made indelible marks in creating a new image for Africa through the success stories of the African Achievers Awards annual event, now in its 13th year.

Dr. Gurio-Fakim has also been the recipient of various international awards including the L’Oreal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science (2007), Laureate for the National Economic and Social Council (2007), the CTA / NEPAD / AGRA / RUFORUM for ‘African Women in Science’ and the African Union Award for Women in Science.

She was also made Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (CSkK) by President Anerood Jugnauth in 2008 for her contribution in the education and the sc entific sector. She was awarded the Order of the ‘Chevalier de l’Ordre des Palmes Academiques’ by the Government of France in 2009

Dr. Susan Jumoke Fajana-Thomas OBE, DCL, is Cabinet member for community safety and she was recently awarded an Order of the British Empire for services to local government and gender equality in King Charles’s first New Year’s Honours List.

Mr. Selork Kofi Dake is a former Trade Adviser on Infrastructure at the Department of International Trade (DIT) of the British High Commission in Ghana where he was the Lead on high value construction Projects portfolio including airports, ports, roads, real estate, water and railways.

He is currently the exclusive Africa Representative and Director for Africa of the Hong Keng and Guangzhou based China Arab Africa Business Union (CAABU) fostering win-win commercial partnerships between businesses within the 3 regions. He is a British Government Chevening Scholar and an accomplished FOI broker within the West African Region.

Dr. Yvonne Thompson, CBE, FRSA has worked with many public bodies and chaired or served on the boards of numerous organisations, including government agencies. In February 2016, she was appointed chair of The Radio Academy, UK. Yvonne Thompson received the European Women Cf Achievement Award in 2001.

In the 2003 Queen’s Birthday Honours, she was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for Services to Black and Ethnic Minority Business.

Over the years, the Awards event has honoured and celebrated African trailblazers whose works have had meaningful impact on development in Africa. Former laureates include worthy African political leaders, exceptional young achievers, passionate and dedicated community builders, and captains of industries.