At a recent awards ceremony in Boston, Massachusetts (USA), DatelineHealthAfrica (DLHA) volunteer Solomon Sackitey, a United Nations Online Volunteer of the Year 2006 award recipient , was honored with the first Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS) Global Leadership Award at the 2007 Annual Conference and Exhibition on 25 September 2007. He was one of five award recipients from the 11,000 member society around the globe. An awards letter from the RAPS Chief Executive and the RAPS Awards Committee congratulating Sackitey stated, ?On behalf of RAPS, it is with great pleasure that we congratulate you as the first winner of RAPS? 2007 Global Leadership Award. The Global Leadership Award recognizes professionals who exemplify leadership and contributions towards development of the Regulatory Affairs profession and toward increasing awareness of RAPS in societies and economies worldwide. The RAPS Awards Committee strongly believes that your dedication and contributions to the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff (UAPB) Regulatory Science Programs and your relentless, personal commitment towards advancing knowledge to Regulatory Affairs professionals around the globe through your online website among other initiatives should not go unnoticed. On behalf of RAPS, we thank you for your continued support through various volunteer roles and through your active recruitment of members from the UAPB program and members from around the world?. Sackitey?s contributions include serving RAPS in various capacities and the development of a Virtual Regulatory Affairs library for a number of stake holders on every continent. As the invited inaugural speaker at the University of Arkansas Pine-Bluff's Gamma Sigma Delta seminar series co-sponsored by the University's National Science Foundation-sponsored Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematicss (STEM) program, Sackitey gave a presentation on Food Safety In a Small World: Genetic Engineering, Regulation and Molecular Diagnostics". He also made classroom presentations to Regulatory Science students and encouraged them to seek internship opportunities at various organizations to get first hand experience in the contributions the RA profession is global health initiatives. This is what Dr. Jethro Ekuta, Director of Aggregate Reports Group, Global Pharmacovigilance and Epidemiology at a multinational Pharmaceutical corporation in the United States. has to say about Sackitey on his award: ? through his selfless dedication and leadership to advancing the knowledge of our noble profession, Mr. Sackitey has made an enormous investment in the establishment of a Virtual Regulatory Affairs Library free of charge to all stakeholders through his website, International Regulatory Affairs Updates. This website provides free information for a broad range of the RA profession including Aquaculture, Traditional/Herbal Medicine, Animal Healthcare, Human Healthcare and Bio-safety?. ? His book manuscript on Biotechnology Policy Action Recommendations for Africa directs a significant attention to Biosafety Regulation on the continent. In this manuscript, he has directed attention to several thought-provoking issues including making provisions for enticing African women into Science, Technology and Innovations, creation of an African Biotechnology Professionals Database, the formation of an African Regulatory Affairs Network, Regional GMO Diagnostic Centers of Excellence, biotechnology training programs for High School teachers and the establishment of Regional Environmental Protection Institutes. As an invited inaugural speaker at UAPB, he gave a presentation entitled Food Safety in a Small World: Genetic Engineering, Regulation and Molecular Diagnostics . In this presentation, he drew attention to the importance and cost of regulation. He emphasized the need for a heightened global awareness in risks assessments and benefits of bio-safety. Faculty, staff and students from the Schools of Arts and Sciences and Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences attended this lecture from the university community. Mr. Sackitey?s lecture was covered in a series of news articles. ?With relentless, personal commitment, Mr. Sackitey bridges the knowledge gap in the healthcare and regulatory industry around the world. His contribution to the advancement of the Regulatory Affairs profession and the general healthcare industry in various societies and economies worldwide is undisputable?, Dr. Linda L. Okiror, Assistant Dean, School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (USA). "This award is a manifestation of the significant role Regulatory Affairs professionals and the noble Regulatory Affairs profession in general are playing to ensure safety in human, animal and environmental health", says Sackitey. ? Read more About RAPS .