The Metropolitan Chief Executive of the Tamale Metropolis, Hon Iddrisu Musah Superior has been adjudged the Africa Mayor of the Year by the West African Regional Magazine (TWARM), in its 5th edition of the Business & Leadership Awards.

Our checks have revealed that, the Tamale Mayor, Mr. Musah Superior became the first Mayor in Ghana to win the coveted African award since the introductions of the awards scheme by The West African Regional Magazine.

The 5 Edition of T.W.A.R.M. Business & Leadership Awards under the theme “Promoting Trade & Business between UAE and African Countries”, is slated to take place at the Golden Tulip Al Barsha, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on the 24th August 2018.

In a letter to the Tamale Mayor, Hon Mussah Iddrisu Superior sighted by savannanews24.com stated that, “It is with great pleasure that we wish to inform you that after due consideration and careful deliberation, our selection committee have chosen you to be an honoured recipient of this year's MAYOR OF THE YEAR Award. We hope you would be there at the event ceremony to receive your well-deserved and converted award”.

“The award ceremony is as much an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishment of some of Africa's brighter corporate luminaries and perhaps introduce their companies or city to the UAE market. We, at West African Regional Magazine, are therefore incredibly honoured to be hosting such an important event, which we are con?dent, would further strengthen business ties between Africa and the Gulf States”. The letter said

The letter added “We wish to add here that this award event is necessitated by the real need for the West African Sub- Region and indeed, the broader African business community to begin to deepen bilateral economic and trade ties with Gulf State countries and particularly the United Arab Emirate's business community, through peer networking events such as this award ceremony.

"Our organization aims to bring together notable corporate executives from Africa, investors, diplomats, and heads of government institutions at this event. Among this select group of attendees would be heads of leading institutions, organizations and corporations, business leaders of notable renowned, political leaders and exceptional traditional rulers who have impacted development”.

The Tamale Mayor, Hon Iddrisu Musah Superior in a solemn and profound gratitude when contacted said, “This is a very auspicious moment for me, my family, citizens and residents of Tamale friends, and the NPP fraternity".

"I celebrate this achievement with high sense of optimism and hope that, someday, our city will become a compelling destination for the world's business persons. This is undoubtedly a great honour for such a credible and renowned institution, TWARM to recognise my work, leadership and the manner we executed the Tamale Project in the most successful manner. I am excited, encouraged and motivated for this great honour and recognition”.

Mr. Musah Superior said, the journey towards the Tamale project has not been easy, “in fact it has been the most difficult task I have led. I am happy, I am serving my people to change the status quo. I am delighted to be doing the job in spite of the challenges. Right from the moment when the Tamale Project idea was conceived to the outline of the project which was initiated until today, a lot of work has been done.

Transforming the idea to the real output required a good deal of efforts and various challenges came in the way. "I was not alone though, I had my colleagues at TaMA, Assembly persons and the media who walked along with me and who provided huge support to the realization of what I envisioned. I particularly very grateful to the Presiding Member of the Assembly, Hon Abu Takoro for his genuine and unconditional support in the project. He showed so much of trust and faith in me, which was the constant energy boost for me. He is phenomenal”.

The Mayor of Tamale said, the staff of the assembly, chiefs and opinion leaders in the Metropolis have been very supportive since assumption of office, “Together, we worked every problem and challenges which have now become the milestones for us. The project was also very close to my heart because it’s about innovating means and methods to making Tamale a lawful and friendly place for all. I am sad to indicate the suspension of the project. We are reconsulting and will be back to continue with the project in a manner that will let the public realise its importance and benefits”.

“Initially, I assumed, it was really difficult to accomplish the desired result within the time that we had stipulated to ourselves. But, I would say, it was all team work and the never-ending belief in our hard work and honest objective.

Adding that, "I would like to take this important opportunity to express my deep gratefulness to the members of the project who worked relentlessly on this project for thirteen months. Needless to say, every participant of the project has contributed equally to the project".

Being the Project Leader, "I am greatly honoured to say that the team had converted into a family; our project being our child. I still remember the brainstorming sessions and the candid and ferocious discussions, sometimes at odd hours which ultimately resulted into the fruitful decisions. I am sure all my colleagues and team members do remember the time spent in the office after the working hours as and when an inspiration came in. Despite all the odds, we were certain about one thing that we were going to achieve success".

The most memorable and challenging part of this project was "I led to convince the General Assembly of TaMA to accept that we should REJECT THE STATUS QUO and establish firm disciplinary, lawful and decent society in the Metropolis. Though it was challenging, we worked together to formally resolve that it was crucially necessary to sanitise the city. Let me conclude by thanking everybody for your continuous support in making our city fit for purpose”, he stated.

The 2018 African Mayor of the year, Musah Iddrisu Superior again thanked the organizers of the Africa Business and Leadership Award, The West African Regional Magazine (TWARM) for the motivation.