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In the heart of Ghana, a modest ceremony which started seven years ago marked the birth of what would become a global phenomenon.
The Forty Under 40 awards, brainchild of Xodus Communications, began with a simple yet powerful vision: to recognise young Ghanaian talent who are under the age of 40.
Today, it stands on the cusp of a grand international debut in Dubai, a testament to the power of dreams and the indomitable spirit of Africa's youth.
Richard Abbey, Events Director of Xodus Communications, recalls the humble beginnings with a hint of pride in his voice. "I've been organising awards for the last 12 years," he said during an interview with the Daily Graphic.
"It all started with the Ghana Oil and Gas Awards." Abbey's journey in the awards industry is a story of innovation and foresight. Noticing a gap in sector-specific recognition, he ventured into niche areas - from oil and gas to aviation, manufacturing and insurance.
But it was the Forty Under 40 concept that truly captured the imagination of a continent.
"The Forty Under 40 has been our most widely received initiative," he said.
"In the last seven years, we've recognised over a 1000 people within Ghana and across the continent. Some have gone on to achieve even greater things in their industries,” he added.
The success of the Ghanaian edition spurred a rapid expansion. Today, the Forty Under 40 brand has established a formidable presence in South Africa, Kenya, the UK and across Africa, with 26 African countries now participating in the continental version.
But for Abbey and his team, the journey is far from over. April 2025 marks a new milestone - the inaugural Forty Under 40 Global in Dubai.
“We have booked a venue in Dubai for next year. We are now engaging various embassies and the UAE ambassador to Ghana, who's very excited about the event,” he said.
He said the story of the Forty Under 40 awards was more than just recognition; it's about creating a platform for young entrepreneurs to network, collaborate and grow.
"These awards bring young entrepreneurs together to do business with each other," Abbey explains, underlining the broader impact of the initiative.
He said from a modest local ceremony to a soon-to-be global event in Dubai, the Forty Under 40 awards have indeed come a long way.
“It stands as a shining example of African innovation and a beacon of hope for young talents across the continent and beyond.”
In the world of accolades, where glitz and glamour often overshadow substance, he said the Forty Under 40 awards have carved out a niche that celebrates genuine achievement and fosters real growth.
As it prepares to take centre stage in Dubai next year, he said one thing was clear - “this is an African success story that's only just beginning to unfold on the global stage.”
The rapid growth, however, hasn't come without challenges as he shared some issues plaguing the awards industry in Ghana, particularly the proliferation of less credible award schemes.
"Due to lack of credibility, some people think they can manoeuvre their way and buy awards. Any awards system without a jury or awarding board is not credible,” he said.
To maintain the integrity of the Forty Under 40 awards, Xodus employs a rigorous selection process involving a jury and an awarding board.
"We are very conscious about credibility. We want to make sure that the process is not compromised," he noted.
As part of its commitment to excellence, Xodus is currently undergoing ISO certification for Events Sustainability.
It's a move that Mr Abbey believes would further cement its credibility on the global stage.
