Joy FM's Israel Laryea, 19 other young Africans honoured

The Network Journal (TNJ), a US-based premier monthly magazine with particular focus on corporate executives and small businesses, has recognized twenty young Africans for their exemplary roles in their careers.

The TNJ's 40 under 40 Achievement Awards singles out African achievers of the next generation, who are “Reaching for Higher Goals” in their dedicated businesses and community involvement and are under the age of 40.

In the maiden African edition of the event which has been running in the US for the past 12 years, the winners were drawn from various disciplines including industry, technology and media.

Joy FM's Business News Editor and CNN/Multichoice 2008 Best African Radio Journalist, Israel Laryea, was among the award winners.

Speaking to the honour, Mr Laryea said, “I feel very honored to have been named amongst the top achievers on the continent. I however believe my country expects more of me and I will not disappoint, so help me God”.

Vice President John Mahama was the honorary chair of the awards dinner.

He was given a special award, not as an under-forty, but for his role in advancing the country's development.

He praised the award winners and encouraged them to do more in advancing the cause of the continent.

Joel Edmund Nettey, Chief Executive, Origin8 Saatchi, who also picked up an award, said the award poses a challenge for him to excel.

The other 2010 award winners include:

Omokunbi Adeoti, Human Resources Generalist, Airtel Nigeria;

Taiwo Adegboyega Adewole, Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director, Taiwo Adewole and Associates;

Esi E. Ansah, Ph.D., Founding Partner/Chief Executive Officer, Axis Human Capital Limited;

Elike Mensa Banibensu, Assistant Site Operations Manager, Affiliated Computer Services (Ghana) Ltd., a Xerox company;

Alexander Canfor-Dumas, GM Sub-Saharan Africa, GE Healthcare, General Electric Company;

Fatu Jalloh Cooper, General Manager, Liberia Woodwork Construction & Trading Corporation;

Kofi N. Dadzie, Co-Founder/Managing Director, Rancard Solutions Limited;

Mamadou Karim Diop, Vice President, Peacock Investments;

Shirley Frimpong-Manso, Managing Director, Sparrow Production Limited;

Elorm Goh, President, Food Transactions Limited;
Adjoa Halm-Quagraine, Head, Risk and Investor Relations, UT Bank;

Elikem Nutifafa Kuenyehia, Managing Partner, Oxford & Beaumont Solicitors;

Edwin Macharia, Partner/Africa Region Director, Dalberg Global Development Advisors;

Victor T. Madubuko, Founder/Chief Executive Officer, CareerNation;

Kingsley Mordi, Head, Brands and Communications, Visafone Communications Limited;

Sabah Zita Okaikoi, Honorable Minister, Ministry of Tourism; Republic of Ghana;

Kamil Olufowobi, Head, Affluent & HNI Segment, United Bank for Africa Plc.;

Constance Elizabeth Swaniker, Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Accents & Arts Limited.