THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ghana Education Minister Matthew Opoku Prempeh accepted the Dr Kalam Smriti International Excellence Award on behalf of Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo from Mizoram Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan on Friday.
The award is instituted by the Dr Kalam Smriti International, Dale View, Poovachal, and carries a statuette designed by Kanayi Kunhiraman and a citation. The award strengthens the relationship between India and Ghana which dates back to the non-alignment movement, Matthew Opoku Prempeh said.
The long-term, sustainable programmes designed by President Nana Akufo-Addo to lead the West African nation on the path of progress has made him eligible for the award. He made higher education free which has opened the doors of higher education to 90,000 more students, Prempeh said.
Former President Kalam was a leader who inspired the world with his extraordinary thoughts, Kummanam Rajasekharan said. ISRO chairman K Sivan was felicitated at the function. He said Ghana too could follow the India 2020 model suggested by Kalam.
Former Ambassador T P Sreenivasan presided over the function. Deputy Speaker V Sasi, K S Sabarinadhan MLA, VSSC director S Somanath, Dale View founder Christu Das and Dr Kalam Smriti International managing trustee Shaiju David Alfi were present.