Boss of African bank donates half a million dollars to hungry Africans – New Business Ethiopia

The President of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina, winner of the Sunhak Prize for Peace Award 2019, presents the cash prize to the hungry people of Africa.

Adesina and co-winner Waris Dirie, world champion against female bad mutilation, shared the prestigious $ 1 million prize at a ceremony that took place on February 9, 2019 in Seoul, South Korea.

"We are in a race with time to unleash the full potential of Africa. My life is only useful to the extent that it helps to lift millions out of poverty, "said Adesina, announcing that he had decided to donate his $ 500,000 share of the fight against hunger in Africa.

"Suffering is huge in the world. Although progress is being made, we are not winning the war on hunger in the world. There can be no peace in a hungry world. Hunger persists in regions and places plagued by conflict, war and fragility. Women and children are the ones who suffer the most, "he said at the awards ceremony.

Waris Dirie has played a leading role in drawing the world's attention to the fight against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and the need for legislation banning this practice. "Female bad mutilation marks the victims physically, emotionally and mentally," said Dirie.

The World Health Organization estimates that more than 200 million girls and women alive have been cut in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia where female bad mutilation (FGM) ) are practiced on girls under 15 years old. Adesina who believes that a peaceful world will be a world of food security, pointed out that only 1% of the world's richest possess 50% of the world's wealth.

"There must be a responsibility to the poor. We must reduce global income inequality. We need wealth, yes, but we need wealth for all, not just for a few. Today, the poor are stuck and only end up eating crumbs, if any, that fall from the tables of the rich. This feeling of exclusion and lack of equity or justice often gives rise to conflict. We have the opportunity to reverse the situation through sustainable farming as a business, not as an aid program, "Adesenia told attendees at the ceremony.

More than 1,000 influences from around the world, including former heads of state and government, private sector leaders, investors and development experts, attended the SunHak Peace Prize and the Peace Summit of Global Leaders.

Each year, the SunHak Peace Prize honors an individual or organization that makes a significant contribution to world peace and the well-being of humanity.