Ghana’s president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is one of three African heads of state named in the list of 100 Most Influential Africans of 2017.
The list is published by the New African Magazine at the end of every year since 2012.
Rwanda’s Paul Kagame and Guinea’s Alpha Conde – who is also the Chairperson of the African Union – are the other presidents to have made the list.
Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo also made the list in the Politics and Public Service category “for how he served as a safe pair of hands during President [Muhammadu] Buhari’s enforced absence for most part of 2017.”
The list has eight categories, including Education and Academia, which had two Ghanaians named.
Fred Swaniker of the African Leadership Academy and Patrick Awuah of Ashesi University were named as among five personalities for their contributions in the field of education.
“What our readers will find pleasing is the almost bewildering diversity of this list – in terms of race, ethnic and national diversity,” said Omar Ben Yedder, the Group Publisher and Managing Director of IC Publications – publishers of the magazine.
“This list, if nothing else, displays the beauty and power of the diversity that makes the Africa we all love,” he underscored.
Curiously, no Ghanaian was named in the Sports, Business and Finance and Civil Society and Activism categories. Arts and Culture saw Ghanaian-born British model Adwoa Aboah, making it. Idris Elba, who has Ghanaian roots, was also named.
Other Ghanaians named are Chief Brand Officer for Uber Bozoma Saint John, in the Science, Technology and Innovation category and Editor of British Vogue, Edward Kobina Enninful – in the Media category.
Nigeria had the highest entries of 21, with South Africa following with 14 names.
For the first time, the list had 42 women – the highest since the magazine’s publications.
