Mo Ibrahim Foundation has ,Wednesday, announced a one-off extraordinary award to Archbishop Desmond Tutu, in recognition of his lifelong commitment to speaking truth to power. In a statement, today, the Foundation said, ” the Award will be presented personally to Archbishop Tutu later this year in Dakar during the annual Ibrahim Discussion Forum, which focuses this year on youth, a topic close to the Archbishop’s heart. The Award is accompanied by a grant of US$ 1 million.” The Foundation however, said the special award to South African Archbishop, will not affect its Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership, which is awarded
to a democratically elected former African Executive Head of State or Government. Previous winners of the Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership include; Nelson Mandela of South Africa, Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique, Festus Mogae of Botswana, and Pedro de Verona Rodrigues Pires of Cape Verde.
On Desmond Tutu Award, the Board of Mo Ibrahim said, ” this Special Award to Archbishop Desmond Tutu is motivated by the desire to make an extraordinary grant to an outstanding African civil society champion. Archbishop Desmond Tutu is and has throughout his life been one of Africa’s great voices for justice, freedom, democracy and responsible, responsive government. In everything he stands for, says, and does, he displays a consistent determination to give a voice to the voiceless and to speak the uncomfortable truth.”
“Whether one always agrees with Archbishop Tutu or not, his contribution to dialogue, to accountability, and to the debate on Africa’s future has been unparalleled,” said Mo Ibrahim. His integrity and moral authority deserve recognition. We hope this Award will inspire the next generation to follow Archbishop Tutu’s example and speak truth to power.”