Soyinka, Mo Ibrahim, Anas among Most Influential Africans

Anas Aremeyaw Anas, Ghana's ace investigative journalist has been named along with 99 other Africans seen as most influential personalities on the continent in the year 2014.

The list of 100 Most Influential was compiled by the New African magazine and pooled together persons who made the news for the good, bad and ugly reasons, Anas was mentioned along with colleague media personalities, politicians, sports personalities, and top business executives.

In no particular order, the list presents African heroes who continue to champion change in their fields and also put the spotlight on people who are ‘holding the continent back’ by their actions in the year under review.

The likes of Prophet TB Joshua of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, Nigerian literary master Wole Soyinka, Nigerian presidential candidate General Mohammadu Buhari and his political ally Bola Tinubu, Julius Malema of South Africa, former president of the Rainbow Nation, Thabo Mbeki, Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta as well as the Emir of Kano, all made the list.

Anas’s Mention

The ‘Media’ category where Anas is mentioned boasts the likes of CNN’s Sierra Leonean news anchor, Isha Sesay. Nigeria’s Mosunmola ‘Mo’ Abudu; touted as the ‘African Oprah’ plus Angolan investigative journalist Rafael Marquais de Moraies and a host others.

The New African labeled Anas as ‘the Namer, Shamer and Jailer’ commenting on his work thus; ‘In his native Ghana, and increasingly across the continent, the name Anas rings out with a mythic quality. Few know what the undercover journalist looks like, but his crusades to expose corruption and stand up for the most marginalized in society are renowned.

On his mission to name, shame and jail, Anas has exposed cocoa smugglers, people traffickers, murderous witch doctors and many more. Long may we continue to hear his name but never see his face,’ it added.

Anas, is Ghana’s leading undercover reporter whose activities has been in the areas of corruption and human rights. From cocoa smugglers along Ghana’s western borders to corrupt officials at Ghana’s port and officials of Driver Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Anas has exposed rot and fraud.

Also in Anas's collections are human rights stories in Ghana's flagship orphanage (Osu Children's Home) and the Accra Psychiatric Hospital. The very recent of his human rights bust being a Chinese-run Vietnamese sex trafficking ring in Ghana’s Western region.

Ghanaian Representation

Three other Ghanaians made the cut together with Anas, Ghana’s former minister and economist, Dr. Kwesi Botchwey; is listed for his role in Ghana’s bailout talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He is labeled as the ‘monetary mediator.’

David Adjaye, an architect is also lauded for having mastered his craft. The depth and diversity in his work coupled with his globe-trotting upbringing combined to give the structures he designs an impressive reputation, and that earned him the mention.

Ghana’s last slot was taken by a man described as the ‘junk sculptor’ Mr. El Anatsui; whose drive to make use of the very things that people have often discarded has earned him global acclaim and a spot as one of the most influential Africans of this year.

Nigeria’s Dominance

Africa’s most populous nation leads the pack with a third of the nominations. Nigeria took 33 slots closely followed by the rainbow nation, South Africa who gathered 27 slots.

The Nigerian list included opposition leader Mohammed Buhari and former Lagos governor, Bola Tinubu; who have joined forces to contest Nigeria’s upcoming polls. Former central bank governor and new emir of Kano (Sanusi Lamido Sanusi) Mohammed Sanusi II also made the list. Others included Pastor TB Joshua of the Synagogue Church of All Nations and Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote.

Also on Nigeria’s list is the leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, who is described as having ‘the maniacal grin of terror.’ Ironically Obiageli Ezikwesili, credited with #bringbackourgirls; the social media campaign for the return of the abducted Chibok girls also made the list.

Literary master, Wole Soyinka; described as the ‘Nigeria’s national conscience,’ musician Davido, goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, and economist Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala were all listed amongst others.

The full list of Africa’s Most Influential Africans of 2014, has been published in the December 2014 edition of the New African Magazine under the headline “Africa Is On The Move,” celebrating the continent in one breath and decrying the activities of some of her children.