The Ghanaian Minaret

Accra : The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharubutu, will be the Special Guest of Honour at this year’s Millennium Excellence Awards, slated for July 11, under the patronage of His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, king of the Ashanti Kingdom.

The Millennium Excellence Award is an awards scheme aimed at recognising excellence in leadership, governance, and entrepreneurship among individuals and institutions across the length and breadth of Africa.

On Wednesday afternoon, a delegation from the Millennium Excellence Foundation, the body that oversees the awards scheme, paid a courtesy call on the National Chief Imam at his Fadama residence in Accra, where they extended the warm regards of the Otumfuo to him.

They announced the desire of the King to honour the celebrated Islamic clergy at the ceremony, which also marks the 20th anniversary of the foundation.

In his remarks, President of the Foundation, Ashim Morton, noted that after sitting down and carefully studying the many good works the Chief Imam has done over the years, the governors [of the foundation] have unanimously nominated him as the beneficiary of this year’s award.

Recounting a brief history of the foundation, he said it was “a dream that came to us 20 years ago” to identify and recognise industrious Ghanaians and Africans who have and are contributing towards the overall development of the country and the continent at large.

He indicated that the foundation has honoured more than 100 Ghanaians and Africans who have contributed to the socio-economic development of the country and the continent at large.

Some personalities include former President Jerry John Rawlings, renowned educationist Chinery-Hesse, and the current President of South Africa, Ramaphosa, among others.

Mr. Morton also stated that in celebrating the 20th anniversary of the foundation, His Royal Majesty Otumfuo will be storming Accra with a retinue of chiefs, queen mothers, and other traditional leaders, adding that “Otumfuo will want you [the National Chief Imam] to be his special guest of honour and also welcome you to the Manhyia Palace.”

The ceremony is expected to have over 6,000 people at dinner, including the Otumfuo and the Chief Imam, as well as other high-profile dignitaries from other countries.

It will also feature a documentary on the life of the chief imam and his many great works, which will be televised across many media platforms.

A member of the board of governors of the foundation, Rev. Dr. Lawrence Tetteh, commended the Chief Imam for his enviable role in ensuring continuous peace among Ghanaians, saying, “Most of the peace we have enjoyed in this country is largely due to the role he has played.”

On his part, the National Chief Imam expressed his profound gratitude to Otumfuo for the recognition and honour and prayed for his long life and good health.

The delegation also presented some sanitation materials, including a dozen wheelbarrows, some hand gloves, and Wellington boots, to the Chief Imam.