The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Food Buffer Stock Company, Hanan Abdul-Wahab was among 28 Africans honoured for their distinguished roles and impacts on humanity at the just-ended 9th African Leadership Summit in the United Kingdom.

The two-day event, organised by the London-based African Leadership Organisation, was on the theme “Africa unleashed: Navigating disruptions, enhancing opportunities” and discussed myriads of issues mitigating the continent’s growth.

Mr Abdul-Wahab was presented with the ‘Africa Food Security Champion’ Award for his contribution to food security in Ghana and in the West Africa Region.

He was also decorated with the “Outstanding Public Service” award by Baroness Sandy Verma, a Member of the UK House of Lords.

As head of Ghana’s food security entity, Mr Abdul-Wahab played a key role in the setting up of the ECOWAS Food Security Reserve culminating in Ghana winning a bid to hold food stocks in-country for ECOWAS.

Mr Abdul-Wahab presided over a successful food distribution to Senior High Schools (SHSs) in Ghana under the government’s Free SHS programme earning an open commendation from then Minister for Education, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh.

In a brief speech, Mr Abdul-Wahab paid tribute to the Ghanaian farmer whose hard work, sacrifice and dedication ensured Ghana and its neighbouring countries were not hit by scarcity, shortage and inaccessibility.

He urged African governments to prioritise and increase budgetary contributions towards agriculture to safeguard the continent from food insecurity.

The Summit was opened by the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, Philip Davis.