12 Ghanaians named among 100 Most Influential People of African Descent under 40

July 8, 2019

1 minute read

Twelve Ghanaians across different sectors have been named among a list of 100 Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) under 40.

The list is a global 100 list that identifies high achievers of African descent worldwide, pairing those based across the Diaspora with their counterparts inside Africa.

The MIPAD Under 40 recognition comes as a global civil society initiative in support of the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent.

MIPAD recognizes young people across 4 categories namely: Politics and Governance, Business and Entrepreneurship, Media and Culture, and Religion and Humanitarian.

Young Ghanaians who have been announced as part of the 2019 class of the global recognition include: Presidential Spokesperson Eugene Arhin in the Politics and Governance Category and Papa-Wassa Chiefy Nduom of Groupe Nduom, Vice President at DoorDash Kofi Amoo-Gottfried and Public Policy Manager for Africa Akua Gyekye for the Business & Entrepreneurship category.

The Media and Culture category which was announced at the sidelines of the BET Awards in Los Angeles in June also features Actress Juliet Ibrahim, co-founder of Face2Face Africa Sandra Appiah, Founder of African Fashion Fund Roberta Annan and others.

Other notable young Ghanaians who have received this honour in the past include Zanetor Rawlings, Virgil Abloh, Rebecca Acheampong, Nana Appiah Mensah, Kow Essuman, Ashifi Gogo, Afua Osei and Peace Hyde

As a 2019 honouree of MIPAD, Prince Akpah, the Founder and MD of Avance Media, noted it is an honour to have the works of Avance Media recognized as part of this year’s ranking, and he is hopeful the recognition will inspire more young people of African descent to pursue their dreams without looking back at their backgrounds.

According to CEO of MIPAD Kamil Olufowobi, the Media and Culture recognition in 2019 would not be complete without a special commendation award for the Government of Ghana’s landmark marketing campaign, Year of Return – Ghana 2019.

The Year of Return targets the Diaspora to mark the 400th year anniversary of the first enslaved Africans arrival in the United States by returning home to Ghana in the year 2019.

All MIPAD honourees past and current of Ghanaian origin are celebrated within this group recognition.

Honourees are expected to be awarded at the sidelines of the 2019 United Nations General Assembly in New York.