Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for La Dade Kotopon, Solomon Kotei Nikoi has been adjudged the Most Impactful MCE in Community Development across Africa at the third edition of the African Public Service Optimum Awards (APSO) held in Accra on Wednesday.
Mr. Nikoi who has been instrumental in transforming his municipality since assuming office, received a trophy and citation for his efforts which has since received global attention. His citation read, “this award is in recognition of your exemplary performance as a public servant whose excellent contributions to the practice of good corporate governance in your organisation and to the overall socio-economic development of Africa are commendable.”
Speaking to the media after the awards, the MCE explained that, he expressed appreciation to organisers, and the Business Executives for the honour adding that it was refreshing to know that his hard work has been acknowledged on the continent. “This tells me that I am being watched so I would go all out. My vision is to touch lives so we would go ahead and do the same as our work is being recognised,” he stated.
The focus he said, was to continue to touch the lives of people in the municipality, praising his team for being instrumental. “When I took office, we were ranked 68th in Ghana and targeted being among the best 10 but currently the number one in Ghana,” he stated.
He added that they had realized that development cannot be done alone hence, they would engage in participatory development, with institutions coming on board to assist the municipality. ”We have a lot of institutions coming on board with some renovating schools, building libraries and canteens while some of them are ready to assist traders with capital to do business,” he added.
The event was held under the theme, “Transforming Africa through Public Service Professionalism and Excellence.” It aimed to recognise public servants across the continent for their efforts in transforming their communities and country at large.
Other awardees included the Minister for Transport, Kweku Ofori Asiamah for Most Outstanding Innovation in Infrastructure Development; Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Ambulance Service, Prof. Ahmed Nuhu Zakariah who received Lifetime Achievement in Medical Assistance and Emergency Service award; and the President of the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG), Eric Nana Agyemang-Prempeng who received the award for the Overall Best Association in Local Governance across Africa.
