When most African leaders leave office, they remain in the news but for the wrong reasons. Their past often haunts them. Their successors, as well as the citizens, loath them bitterly for their unruly governance regime. Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf towers in exemption. Since stepping down at the end of her two-term regime spanning for 12 years, the Iron Lady as she’s affectionately called, often remains in the national and international news circuit, and for the right reasons—target of prestigious decorations and awards owing to her exemplary leadership at home and abroad. The Nobel Laureate is yet another grand awardee, this time by the revered Forbes Magazine’s Africa Woman Lifetime Achievement Award. The Analyst reports.
Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has snatched yet another prestigious award, Forbes Woman Africa’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
While serving in office, the former Liberian head of state and the first female president of Africa, bagged dozens of local and international awards. This included the prestigious Nobel Peace Award.
Out of office, she is still meriting the confidence of nations and organizations who nurse their affections and appreciation for her works for humanity by heaping on her various prizes and awards for her leadership which inspire millions.
On its official website, Forbes congratulated Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on receiving ForbesWomanAfria’s Lifetime Achievement Award during the Forbes Woman Africa Leading Women Summit Summit)
“Your immense contributions to the advancement of women’s public leadership are an inspiration to all,” the organization asserted further.
Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Elsa Majimbo and a few others won at the 2021 Forbes Woman Africa Awards.
The 2021 Forbes Woman Africa Awards’ diverse winners, including Elsa Majimbo, Ada Osakwe, Professor Rudo Mathivha, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and more.
The 2021 Forbes Woman Africa Awards announced this years’ eight most influential women in Africa.
The award show took place over a two-day summit which coincided with International Women’s Day.
The former president of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, received a Lifetime Achievement Award. More standout African women were named winners at the summit which ran under the theme “Africa Reloaded: The Power of the Collective”.
Other Forbes Laureates
There were other awardees. The breakout Kenyan comedienne, Elsa Majimbo, took home the “Entertainer of the Year” award while fellow Kenyan and Olympic athlete, Hellen Obiri, bagged the “Sports” award, this according to Bella Naija.
The “Academic Excellence” award was duly received by Professor Rudo Mathivha who is the academic head at the intensive care unit in South Africa’s largest hospital, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital.
Isabelle Kamariza, the founder of Solid’Africa which provides fresh meals to Rwanda’s largest hospitals, was acknowledged with the “Social Impact” award.
Nigerian economist, Ada Osakwe, won the “Business Woman of the Year” award for her agricultural business venture Agrolay Ventures. Temie Giwa Tubosun, founder of health company Life Bank which aims to increase access to blood transfusions in Nigeria, received the “Technology and Innovation” award.
Completing the list is South African entrepreneur, Rabia Ghoor, who reportedly founded her online make-up store Swiitch Beauty at the age of 14. Ghoor, has at the age of 20, deservedly won the “Young Achievers” award.
The Forbes Woman Africa winners were announced during the Forbes Woman Africa Leading Women Summit (LWS) which took place virtually. The summit had key guest speakers including amongst the many high profile guests Zozibini Tunzi, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and the University of Cape Towns first Black woman vice-chancellor, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng.
Ellen’s Response
Responding to the award the former Liberian president wrote on her Twitter page: “I was honored to receive @ForbesWomanAfric’s Lifetime Achievement Award during this year’s
She added: “While there is still much work to be done, we must recognize the incredible achievements of women across the African continent. Amujae—we are going up!”