James Kofi Annan, the Executive Director of Challenging Heights, and a former Manager at Barclays Bank, Ghana, has been named a winner of the first Grinnell College Young Innovator for Social Justice Prize.
The Grinnell Prize, which received more than 1,000 nominations from 66 countries, honors individuals under the age of 40 who have demonstrated leadership in their fields and who show creativity, commitment and extraordinary accomplishment in effecting positive social change.
Each winning entry receives $100,000, half to the individual(s) and half to the winner’s organization. This year, each of the 3 winners is receiving $100,000 in prize monies.
“The winners of the Grinnell College Young Innovator for Social Justice Prize are outstanding examples of people who saw a huge social need and then worked creatively to meet that need and make the world a better place,” said Grinnell President Raynard S. Kington, M.D., Ph.D.
“Since its founding, Grinnell has encouraged students to use their knowledge and their abilities to serve the common good and James Kofi Annan exemplify this core Grinnellian value, and his story and achievements will inspire students at Grinnell and around the world,” he added
On October 26 and 27, 2011, the winners will visit the campus in Iowa to participate in the Grinnell College Young Innovator for Social Justice Prize Symposium and awards ceremony.
Through public lectures and interactions with students, they will share their experiences and perspectives in shaping innovative programs that effect positive social change.
In addition, Morris Dees, the founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center and noted civil rights lawyer, will be the keynote speaker at the symposium.
James Kofi Annan established Challenging Heights while working with Barclays Bank of Ghana, using over half of his personal income to provide education and support for children who have returned from forced labor. In April 2007, he resigned from the bank to devote full time to achieve the organisation’s mission.
Challenging Heights is a child-centered organization that provides innovative educational support for children in the fishing districts of Ghana. In 2010 alone, Challenging Heights supported a total of 1,195 children, trained nearly 500 women, and provided micro-business assistance to 77 underserved mothers.
In the same year, Challenging Heights carried out major community-wide sensitization programs in 45 communities, formed and trained 15 Community Child Protection Committees, and rescued 78 boys and girls who were caught up in forced labour on the Lake Volta, as well as several other children’s development clubs and programs aimed at empowering children to participate in their own development.
Since its inception in 2003, Challenging Heights has directly impacted over 10,000 children across over 45 communities in Ghana.
Source: Adom News/Ghana
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