Golden Baobab & Koko King - finalists for Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship

Two Ghana-based organizations, Golden Baobab and Koko King, finalists for the 2013 Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship

Accra, 24 September, 2013 – Ghana-based literary social enterprise, Golden Baobab, has been nominated for the newly created “Outstanding Social Entrepreneur Award” category of the 2013 Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship (AEE). The AEE was established in 2007 to recognize business leaders who demonstrate innovation, profitability and business excellence while serving as role models to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. Since its inception, AAE has attracted more than 7,000 applications from outstanding African businesses and awarded prizes of over USD 1.6 million to 30 leading African companies. This prestigious annual award is run by the Africa Leadership Network (ALN) and is sponsored by the Omidyar Network and the ELMA Growth Foundation. Also a finalist is Koko King Ltd, a business that provides healthy traditional breakfast meals to the Ghanaian public. Koko King is a finalist for the “Outstanding Small and Growing Business Award” category. There are 12 finalists in all.

According to the ALN, the finalists were arrived at through a rigorous screening process focused on the soundness of their business models, financial health, integrity of business practices, and the contribution to socio-economic development. The finalists for the awards were announced on Friday, 20 September, 2013. According to the CEO of ALN, I. Kwaku Fokuo Jr., they are “among the finest, most dynamic and resilient entrepreneurs at the forefront of Africa’s economic transformation. At ALN, we believe that these entrepreneurs are the leaders that will secure Africa’s prosperity. This is the seventh consecutive year that we are holding the Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship, which we use to spotlight and distinguish exceptional entrepreneurs as role models for young entrepreneurs in Africa.”

Deborah Ahenkorah, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Golden Baobab says, “to be recognized for the work we do and our vision for children’s content in Africa is truly motivating and we are honoured to be mentioned along with other incredible organizations who are doing amazing things.” As a nominee, Golden Baobab stands the chance of winning 50,000 USD as well as gaining recognition for its work which inspires the creation, ensures the production and facilitates the distribution of enthralling, quality and culturally relevant children’s literature written by African writers. The organization’s vision in the next ten years is for children all over the world to walk into any bookstore and find captivating African children’s storybooks that they will fall in love with. “We are looking to land funding from meaningful partnerships with corporations who are willing and able to help make this happen,” says Deborah Ahenkorah.

Eventual winners of the awards will be selected from the 12 finalists, and announced at a Gala Ceremony to be held in Mauritius on 4th October as part of ALN’s 4th Annual Gathering.

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ABOUT GOLDEN BAOBAB

Golden Baobab is a nonprofit social enterprise established in 2008 to stimulate the development of world-class African children’s literary content. The organization’s mission is to inspire the creation, ensure the production and facilitate the distribution of enthralling, high quality, culturally relevant literary content by African writers and illustrators for African children. It envisions “a world filled with wonder and possibilities one African children’s book at a time.”

For further information, photos or to arrange interviews, please contact: Nanama B. Acheampong via info@goldenbaobab.org

Tel: +233302 265215

Website: www.goldenbaobab.org

ABOUT THE AFRICA AWARDS FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP:

The Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship (AAE) was established in 2007 to recognize business leaders who demonstrate innovation, profitability and business excellence while serving as role models to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. Since its inception, AAE has attracted more than 7,000 applications from outstanding African businesses and awarded prizes of over USD 1.6 million to 30 leading African companies.