According to the Chicago-based online news website, Chicagoinquirer.com, the award which is being organised by the League of African-American Media Professionals in the United States will be conferred on five African leaders in a deliberate effort to promote democracy and its institutions on the continent.
The maiden award ceremony which is said to enjoy the support of major media organisations in the US and that of government will go to those who have consciously enhanced the democratic process and culture in their countries while in office.
The five leaders featured in the preliminary report of the committee which conducted the survey on the continent include the Liberian President Helen Johnson-Sirleaf, President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria, President Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone, Gabonese leader, Ali Bongo and President Faure Gnassingbe of Togo.
A statement signed by Tim Spiff on behalf of the League said, the initial report from the survey carried out over a period of time reflected the growing influence of these leaders in entrenching the democratic cultures in their respective countries while in office which is key in enhancing global peace.
The Liberian leader is the first woman to emerge President of a sovereign nation in Africa. Since assuming office after a bloody civil war, Sirleaf has been able to stabilize the polity thus making the country achieve a significant progress in various sectors and the restoration of social order.
The Nigerian leader; Jonathan, who recently won a major victory in his party's convention was captured in the survey for the tremendous effort in restoring order in governance shortly after the death of President Umaru Yar'Adua with who he won the ticket for a four _year tenure of office in 2007.
His emergence as the party's flag bearer in this year's election in one of Africa's most populous black nation is an indication of his discipline and dedication to the policies of the late leader.
Since assumption of office about eight months ago, the Nigeria leader has brought relative stability to the energy and power sectors with improved supply and distribution of petroleum products across the country, thereby enhancing price stability, investment on electricity power has doubled in recent times.
President Koroma also emerged a strong leader in post civil war Sierra Leone. Initially confronted with difficulties having defeated the incumbent to emerge the new leader, his policies so far have enhanced peace and strong relationship with other camps within the polity.
The new Gabonese leader; Bongo though emerged from the political dynasty of his late father; Omar Bongo, he has so far showed the willingness to promote the culture of respect for democracy in the oil_rich African nation which observers have described as a clear departure from the vision of his father who died in office after more than three decades of holding on to power.
Same goes for the new Togolese leader; Gnassingbe, who also stepped into the shoes of his late father though after a controversial election in which opposition candidates believed that the atmosphere for a free and fair election was never allowed to exist.
He has however embarked on policies to promote democracy contrary to what existed in the country for all the years his late father stayed in power.
The media professionals have set as an agenda to promote global peace with special focus on the continent of Africa.
The honours award is to encourage the leaders not only to embrace democracy but to remain dedicated to the demands as expected of their office and position in order to eliminate tension and disputes often associated with outcome of elections.
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