“Gambian activist wins humanitarian award”
December 1st, 2017
An independent film maker from Gambia has been recognised for his humanitarian work, writes Sesame O. Mogotsi, 24, a Correspondent from Gaborone in Botswana.
Social justice activist and human rights defender, Ibrahim Ceesay from Gambia was awarded the Pan-African Humanitarian Award under the Youth Advocacy and Nation Building award category at the recently held Pan African Humanitarian and Summit awards.
Ibrahim is a ‘peace-tivist’ and award winning film maker who was recognised for his contribution spanning over 12 years in youth advocacy, peace building and nation building.
He currently serves as the Founding Executive Director of the African Artists Peace Initiative (AAPI), a Pan African movement of artists and peace makers, and as Chair of the African Youth Alliance on Sustainable Development Goals (AYAS).
Ibrahim co-founded and coordinated the New Gambia Global Movement for Democracy and Justice, and played a key role in mobilizing youth, artists, civil society and media in restoring democracy and rule of law in The Gambia in December 2016.
On winning the humanitarian award, Ibrahim expressed that he dedicates the award to family, friends, colleagues and “all passionate and unrecognised activists in the world”.
His recent award adds on to the several awards he has accumulated over the years. Among them are Personality of the Year 2013 and Youth Leader of the Year 2013 in Gambia. He also won an award for Best Indigenous Film at the Nollywood and Africa Film Critics’ award 2013 in Washington DC for his film ‘The Hand of Fate’, a story based on child marriage and girls’ education.
Other awardees for 2017 include leaders and pan-Africanists such as Prof. PLO Lumumba, Hon. Suzi Barbosa, H.E. Dr. Justina Mutale and Aya Chebbi amongst others.
This was the third edition of the prestigious summit, held on the 18th and 19th November in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. The theme for this year’s summit, “Peace is Possible”, brought together 200 participants across the African continent.
Previous editions of the awards were held in Accra, Ghana (2015) and Dubai, UAE (2016). Previous awardees include former Heads of State, artists and actors as well as business leaders from across the continent.
Photos: courtesy of Ibrahim Ceesay
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About me: I am the Country Coordinator for the Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassadors Network (CYPAN), responsible for overseeing operations and implementing network activities. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Public Administration and am an Ashoka Changemakers Scholar 2016. I have keen interest in youth leadership, public policy, peace building and adolescent health. I am committed to solving problems bedeviling communities and look forward to a career in international development.
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Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. Articles are published in a spirit of dialogue, respect and understanding. If you disagree, why not submit a response?
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