President Arnold Foote in his address at the Presentation ceremony said:

Somewhere I read that you are often referred to as the “gentle giant,” due in part to your obviously imposing height. Gentility is a quality not often associated with professional politicians, so the fact that you have been so regarded by many is an outstanding tribute. Certainly you are a giant in Ghanaian, West African and continental African political life and development, and by extension in the wider world.

Your impressive public service and political credentials of over thirty years in Ghana is obvious, beginning with your service in Local Government (in the city of Kumasi) in the late 1960’s, followed by your election twice as a Member of Parliament during Ghana’s Second and Third Republics; your service as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1969-1972; your brief service in 1982 as Secretary for Local Government (resigning after seven months on matters of principle); and your first election as President in December 2000 and again in December 2004. These are but glimpses of your service to Ghana, but now with your impending departure from the Presidential office at the end of the mandated two-term limit in January 2009, it seems fair to say that one of your lasting contributions to Ghanian political life and culture is your nurturing of the process of electoral democracy and associated leadership transitions.

In the West African arena, you will always be remembered for Ghana’s central role in helping to bring peace and stability in war-torn Liberia, especially during you role as Chairman of ECOWAS (the Economic Commission of West African States) from 2003-2005.In the wider continental African context, your 2007 role as Chairman of the African Union further testifies to your qualities of statesmanship.

It was especially significant and symbolic that you were chosen to chair the African Union in 2007 , the year of the 50th anniversary of The Ghana’s independence from British colonial rule, in 1957. That momentous event, the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa, had an enormous impact on subsequent decolonization initiatives elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa and also in the African Diaspora (including my native-land, Jamaica, the first Anglophone Caribbean colony to gain its independence in August 1962, undoubtedly inspired by Ghana’s example). In that respect this tribute to you is also a tribute to the people of Ghana whom you lead and serve.

Tribute to you is also a tribute to the people of Ghana whom you lead and serve.

Given Africa’s marginalization in world affairs for much of the modern era it stands to reason that efforts to reverse that situation should contribute significantly to the search for a more viable and harmonious world order. Your position, Mr. President, as recent Chairman of the African Union (in the process projecting African concerns into the wider international arena), and also your 2004 role as spokesperson for the six African leaders attending the G-8 summit in Georgia, are but two illustrations of your international involvement and distinction beyond the African continent, which correlate with your global outlook.

You have been quoted as saying that “The world is moving in a direction which requires leadership by vision, transcending tribal, national and even continental boundaries.” Such a statement resonates well with us, the World Federation of Consuls, since we too are by definition globalist in mission and outlook. We are thus honoured to honour you, Mr. President with this award our highest honour given only to world leaders.

President Kufuor in his reply to Hon. Arnold Foote said:

“I am truly touched by all the fine things you have said about me and then with all these decorations which are definitely meant for eternity, when I come to write my Memoirs, definitely there should be some space and I would perhaps say perhaps a whole chapter also.”