Franklin Cudjoe: "Why Mo Ibrahim Didn't Think Anyone Was Worthy Of $5 Million Prize For Quality African Leadership"

A prize of US$5 million for sub-Saharan African ex-leaders - the world's most valuable individual annual award, established in 2007 - who were democratically elected and have shown good governance is not being awarded this year. Mo Ibrahim, a Sudanese-born billionaire telecoms magnate, gave no reason for why the prize committee decided not to award the Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership this year. South Africa's Thabo Mbeki and Ghana's John Kufuor had been the favorites, although some observers considered Nigeria's Olusegun Obasanjo as a contender. The winners receive $5 million over 10 years, and then $200,000 a year for life afterward.

The Ghanaians in particular are upset about there being no honoree this year, and having a debate about the prize committee's message. Even folks from the opposition center-left party during center-right President John Kufuor's rule are asking why he didn't get the honor. Other Ghanaians claim that the award is skewed toward promoting business interests, and they're glad that a Ghanaian wasn't honored. Mr. Kufuor claims that he isn't bitter about not winning.

Franklin Cudjoe (pictured), the libertarian head of IMANI: Center for Policy & Education in Accra, Ghana, discussed on TV Africa why the prize committee didn't choose a winner this year. You can listen to the audio here.