The International Ewe Council (IEC) has disclosed that it is fine-tuning preparations to launch a leadership lecture series in honour of Ghana’s former President Jerry John Rawlings.
Speaking to journalists in Lome-Togo, Chairman of the IEC Torgbui Edjorssa said the values of selflessness, empathy, integrity, social justice and equity which formed the hallmark of President Rawlings’ leadership must be eulogised to promote peace, progress and national development.
“His contributions as ECOWAS chairman promoted peace among all West African neighbours and we cannot lose sight of them. Bringing peace to Liberia and Sierra Leone came at a great cost. This is the Pan-Africanist that we must celebrate,” Torgbui Edjorssa underscored.
“We are proud of him [President Rawlings] that an Ewe indigene from our loins shepherded such critical interventions and provided exceptional leadership as a global icon ”
According to the IEC chairman, Rawlings’ stature as a Pan-Africanist and a man of peace should spur all Ewes in West Africa and across the globe and indeed all mankind to contribute their quota in maintaining the peace to pave way for development projects.
He applauded the peaceful coexistence between Togo and Ghana as neighbours as well as Benin and Nigeria, hinting that the International Ewe Council will soon be paying courtesy calls on West African state actors in a bid to deepen bilateral ties, knowledge sharing and cooperation.
Torgbui Edjorssa said the leadership qualities and methods of the late president will be expatiated by various distinguished speakers at an annual lecture series hosted under the auspices of the International Ewe Council. The event, according to Torgbui Edjorssa will also “award, recognize and honour individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities and have made significant contributions toward positive change and progress in their respective domains.”
“These awards seek to inspire others and provide a platform to showcase and celebrate exemplary leadership, innovation, and social impact,” he added.
Distinguished Ewe indigenes will receive awards in different categories ranging from community development to innovation, technology, social impact environment, and eventually crown youth leader of the leader.
The International Ewe Council was founded three years ago to unite over 50 million Ewes in Western Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and the Diaspora while promoting peace, cultural integration and development.
