NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL AWARDS

Why the National Professional Awards? 

The National Professional Awards (NAPA) is a pan-African inititative, that was initiated in October 2016 to recognise individuals and organisations – both foreign and national –  that are playing important role in advancing the socioeconomic development of Africa. Their participation is essential to the   success of the national development agenda and programme priorities. Over the years, new entrants – both citizens and foreigners – have been   playing leading role in pushing the national agenda forward. 

The   African Consulting Group (ACG), African CEO Media Ltd. and Ecomedia Corporation established  the  awards to engage those men and women at the centre stage and  recognise  excellence, commitment and innovation in enhancing  sustainable  development across every sector in the continent. The work of  the awards  is anchored in the belief that recognising and empowering  individuals  and organisations that are playing tremendous role in  society is very  essential in moving the continent forward. It is vital to  empower  individuals and organisations to realise their potential as  resources. 

Brief History: The first awards ceremony was held in conjunction with the Sierra Leone   CEO & Business Awards at the Bintumani International Conference  Centre in Freetown on 23rd October, 2016. There were over 850 people in attendance, including diplomats, ministers, CEOs and heads of   parastatals, NGOs and international organisations.  The combined   ceremony drew people from both the public and private sectors to   celebrate excellence of the outstanding men and women working hard to   move Sierra Leone forward. The awards ceremony have been organised  every  year.

Awards Profile

The National Professional Awards aim to raise the profile of dedicated individuals and committed organisations and to highlight the contributions they are making towards developing a fairer, sustainable,   peaceful, and prosperous future for all Africans. The awards honour excellence, leadership and the creative use of professional services and expertise, development efforts, finance and other  resources  to move African countries and communities forward. 

As a multi-sector-driven initiative, the awards select and honour donor agencies, UN institutions, national regulatory authorities, and private foundations and corporations that have exemplified through their   leadership excellence, hard work, innovation and commitment, above and   beyond their expected responsibilities, the principles upon which the National Professional Awards was founded.

Selection Requirements 

• An  Individual Awardee must have been engaged in professional  services or  development work for five or more years, either in a  professional or  voluntary capacity; 
• An Organisation or Corporate Awardee must be presently engaged in social or economic development work; 
• An individual honouree must have a university degree and a professional qualification;
• An honouree shall be between the ages of 30 years and 59 years; 
• An  honouree must have not been engaged in any criminal act or convicted or  found guilty of any unprofessional or unethical behavior,  crime or  corrupt practice(s) in any court of law, either at home or  abroad;
• The winners must agree to take part in publicity generated by the organisers. 

Awards Process

There will be 100 finalists (Top 100 Professionals) in the overall award programme in the yearly national editions. In addition, selected awardees of the top entry receiving the “Best of the Year” and the   second top winner category receiving the “Special Recognition of the Year” Award in that particular category for the each national annual edition. 

The honourees will each receive a trophy and a certificate of recognition at an official ceremony during the awards banquet and gala dinner.

Organising Committee

The Organising Committee is made up of seven independent and outstanding personalities in different sectors across Africa. It recognises outstanding achievements, organises and reviews the nominations for   specific and general categories, and selects a recommended winner for each award. The goal of the Committee is to recognise the accomplishments of the outstanding professionals through an awards   programme, and raise the prestige of the National Professional Awards programme through enhancing opportunities for recognising award winners and increasing the pool of diverse, qualified applications and   nominations for the awards.

Cost of Participation

In some countries, the National Professional Awards is  a self-sponored. In such a case, we encourage all honourees and invited guests to help cover the cost of their participation, including participating in the   reception and gala dinner. This covers meal, drinks, entertainment, red carpet and photographs, and an annual magazine.