Ex-Namibia president awarded $5m Mo Ibrahim prize

Former Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba on Saturday accepted the $5 million Mo Ibrahim prize for African leadership.

Presenting the award to President Pohamba, Dr Salim Ahmed Salim, Chair of the independent Prize Committee, said: "President Pohamba's focus in forging national cohesion and reconciliation at a key stage of Namibia's consolidation of democracy and social and economic development impressed the ‎Prize Committee. His ability to command the confidence and the trust of his people is exemplary."

Accepting the Award, President Pohamba said: "This honour is not for me alone. I accept it with a sense of great humility, on behalf of the Namibian people, who entrusted me, through democratic processes, to lead our country as President for two consecutive terms. Their commitment to uphold democracy and the rule of law, made the modest achievements that were recorded during my tenure of office possible."

Mo Ibrahim, the founder of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, said: "We need to change the narrative about African leadership. The world knows everything about our bad leaders, but nothing about our heroes, especially those who are doing wonderful things for their people. We need role models – we need heroes – to inspire and motivate our young people. President Pohamba is one of the unsung heroes of Africa."

The award, launched in 2011 by British-Sudanese businessman, Mo Ibrahim, is given to an African leader who was democratically elected, performed well in office, and left at the end of his constitutionally-allowed term.

The Ibrahim Prize celebrates excellence in African leadership. It is awarded to a former Executive Head of State or Government by an independent Prize Committee. Previous Laureates: Presidents Joaquim Chissano (2007, Mozambique), Festus Mogae (2008, Botswana) and Pedro Pires (2011, Cabo Verde. The 2007 Honorary Ibrahim Laureate - President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

The ceremony was witnessed by President John Mahama of Ghana, former Presidents John Kuffour, Chissano, Pires, and a number of other African leaders.

Nigeria’s former finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, attended the ceremony and was one of several panelists who discussed Africa’s urbanisation at a follow-up event on Saturday.