The UPSA branch of TEIN, the students' wing of the governing NDC, says it will next week confer an excellence award on President John Dramani in recognition of his exemplary leadership.

A statement issued in Accra and signed by the President-elect of University of Professional Studies, Accra, (UPSA) branch of the Tertiary Educational Institutions Network (TEIN), Mr. Eliyasu Amadu, said "We believe that persons who have, through their unique qualities, selfless dedication and can-do spirit contributed in extraordinary ways to the development of the nation need to be eulogized and encouraged to do more."

Other persons to be awarded, according to the statement, are the Vice-Chancellor of the UPSA, Prof. Joshua Alabi, the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress, Johnson Asiedu and the legal team that defended the president and the NDC in the election petition.

Read below the full statement issued by the group.

PRESS RELEASE:TEIN-UPSA CONFERS MAIDEN ‘’PRESTIGIOUS’’ AWARD ON H.E JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA, AND OTHERS

The University of Professional Studies, Accra, (UPSA)branch of the Tertiary Educational Institutions Network (TEIN), the intellectual youth wing of the governing National Democratic Congress will on Thursday November 21, 2013 confer awards on some eminent persons in the country.

The awardees will include His Excellency President John DramaniMahama, politician-turned educationist, our very own Prof. Joshua Alabi, the General Secretary of the NDC, Mr Johnson AsieduNketia and the legal team that fought the election petition on behalf of the NDC, amongst others.

The maiden edition of the TEIN ‘’PRESTIGIOUS’ ’Awards is being organized in collaboration with the greater Accra branch of TEIN.

We believe that persons who have, through their unique qualities, selfless dedication and can-do spirit contributed in extraordinary ways to the development of the nation need to be eulogized and encouraged to do more.

We are inspired by the confident humility with which President John Mahama is steering the affairs of the nation. His refusal to be distracted in the face of naked and constant, sometimes malicious provocation deserves recognition and commendation. Through these awards we wish to appreciate the invaluable lessons the president is teaching the youth of Ghana and which may serve our nation well in the future. The key lesson which we note with admiration is that we can disagree in dignity and with respect; we don’t necessarily have to shout ourselves hoarse when we express our opinions on national issues or call each other names. That does not add anything to the debate and the president teaches us this.

For our very own Prof. Alabi, he has proven that with a single purpose, a single man can get others to buy into a vision and achieve great things. He has shown us how to take a moribund state institution and turn it into a world class centre for excellence in learning.

Through this award, we wish to celebrate Prof. Alabi for his vision and purposeful leadership of UPSA.

Those who contributed immensely to the development of humanity, improving access to quality education and deepening our democratic culture deserve to be celebrated. That is the cardinal reason for these awards.

These awards, we hope will become a biennial event where people from all economic and social backgrounds as well as political persuasions will be given meritorious awards.

President Mahama is scheduled to attend Thursday’s event.

There will also be citations for some other people who deserve to be celebrated.

Signed:

Eliyasu Amadu

UPSA TEIN

President-elect

(0208399939)