Extraordinary service.
Eleven ways to recognise it.

Explore the award categories and the criteria published in the original programme.

01 Man of the Year Award

This award will go to a man who inspires, motivates, invests, and dedicates himself to the advancement of the society. Through these actions, he has impacted society in a profound fashion – in terms of empowerment of youths, women, the underprivileged, peace building, and all other patriotic endeavors geared towards selflessly moulding The Gambia into a beacon of hope.

Criteria

  • Makes the single-biggest achievement/impact in a year
  • An emerging voice who uses his/her work to achieve a result in the greater interest of the country and people
  • Emerges as the single-biggest influence in the year
  • Showcases huge patriotism in addressing or preventing something that saves lives
  • Works to enhance the image of The Gambia internationally
  • Brokers peace through conflict-prevention and management that fosters socio-political stability
02 Woman of the Year Award

This award will go to a woman who inspires, motivates, invests, and dedicates herself to the advancement of the society. Through these actions, she has impacted society in a profound fashion – in terms of empowerment of youths, women, the underprivileged, peace building, and all other patriotic endeavours geared towards selflessly moulding The Gambia into a beacon of hope.

Criteria

  • Makes the single-biggest achievement/impact in a year.

  • An emerging voice who uses his/her work to achieve a result in the greater interest of the country and people.

  • Emerges as the single-biggest influencer in the year.

  • Showcases huge patriotism by addressing or preventing something that saves or enhances lives.

03 Agricultural Leadership Award

The Agricultural Leadership awardee is one who establishes high impact achievements in Gambian agriculture. This group/person’s work has resulted in the demonstrable increase in the quality, quantity and/or availability of consumables for our urban and/or rural society- even more so if their ‘green thumb’ has been able to extend outside of the borders of The Gambia. We are considering the significance of individual achievements, but the complexity of the problem solved will be the most important aspect considered.

Criteria

  • Increases production or productivity of crops
  • Reduces cost of cultivation through use of sustainable methods
  • Has reduced poverty, hunger or suffering; or enhanced health, nutrition, quality of life and well being
  • Uses cutting edge technology to address food security
04 Diaspora Engagement Award

For years, groups and individuals of the Gambian Diaspora have been selflessly and tirelessly contributing to the development of The Gambia-from a distance. The aim of the Diaspora Engagement Award is to highlight and showcase this effort. This award will not focus on obligatory remittances sent back to sustain families back home, but going further by striving to make a difference and actively contributing to the change they want to see.

Criteria

  • Makes the single-biggest achievement/impact in a year.

  • An emerging voice who uses his/her work to achieve a result in the greater interest of the country and people.

  • Emerges as the single-biggest influencer in the year.

  • Showcases huge patriotism by addressing or preventing something that saves or enhances lives.

05 Education Prize for Excellence Award

The Education Prize for Excellence Award aims to highlight and reward a true inspirer in and out of the classroom. The award aims to recognize a teacher, administrator or institution. The importance of the role a teacher and/or institution plays extends far past the textbook and deep into the future of the youth, especially in a society like this where the youth spend a large amount of time under their care. The award holds even more importance in a society like where the youth account for roughly 60% of the population and are, undoubtedly, the future of The Gambia.

Criteria

  • An outstanding Teacher, Administrator or Institution

  • Proven record of outstanding achievement and leadership in the education sector

  • Uses modern techniques and innovations to impact knowledge

  • Achieves significant results (of a class/individual) through their influence

  • Exposes and encourages youth to participate in national and international competitions

  • Overcomes difficult challenges to delivering quality education in a marginalized or disadvantaged community, especially in the rural Gambia

06 Exemplary Youth Award

The Exemplary Youth Award section is dedicated to a young Gambian who exerts their effort to create positive social, economic and/or environmental change in our society. Making up roughly 60% of the Gambian population the youth are undoubtedly the future; but this person in particular has been demonstrating acute direction in regard to solving at least one of the numerous development issues we continue to face. This person’s ideas and actions are innovative, impactful, and has the potential to bring about true structural and institutional change. We are particularly looking for an individual who has demonstrated Resourcefulness and Perseverance, Strategy and Bigger Picture, Revolutionary Thinking, and Advocacy.

Criteria

  • Aged 15-35

  • Making a difference in the Gambian society

  • Has spearheaded urban and/or rural projects/community initiatives

  • Innovative in Business/Entrepreneurship 

07 Health Servant of the Year Award

The Health Servant of the Year Award is dedicated to a civil servant promoting or improving the health and well-being of all individuals that cross their paths. Regardless of social background, wealth, status or influence- this individual treats all walks of life as one when it comes to dedicating their time, expertise, and energy.

Criteria

  • Makes ‘do’ with limited resources to incite impactful results that save or enhance lives

  • Shows extraordinary commitment to dispensing healthcare throughout the country

  • Demonstrates strong leadership that result in significant gains for a health facility

  • Goes above and beyond in providing greater care, excellent customer service and support for patients during their line of duty

  • Innovative health administrators and organizations that have made significant contributions to the health sector can also be nominated in this category

08 Iconic Gambian Award

This award celebrates a person who made numerous sacrifices for the advancement of our society. Life is precious and only true patriots are willing to give it up for the greater good. This award is a nod to not only the selflessness of the recipient but also the inspiring attributes he/she possessed.

Criteria

  • Lost their life in the previous year (2019)

  • Led a life of sacrifice and dedication to justice for all or any particular noble cause

  • Was a voice for the voiceless during their lifetime

  • Sacrifice resulting in lasting, positive impacts in The Gambian society

09 Philanthropist of the Year Award

The Philanthropist of the Year award is presented to an extraordinary individual who has shown outstanding leadership in the area of philanthropy and who, throughout their giving, has made remarkable differences in bringing about sustainable social change.

Criteria

  • Giving in the moment a ‘giving’ that is strategic and long-term

  • May include an individual, couple or family

  • Evidence of outstanding civic responsibility as demonstrated by contributions of financial resources and voluntary commitment of time

  • Willingness to serve in leadership roles and providing vision and the ability to involve others in philanthropic efforts.

10 The Green Award

More often than not, environmental causes are neglected and not seen as a pressing enough issue to pursue. This is a wild misconception and approach the very basis of our homes and livelihoods. The Green Award will highlight and reward the efforts of a group or individual working tirelessly against the odds to ensure that a difference is made in the way we treat our environment. This can be by way of sustainable business solutions, activism, policy or any effective type of outreach being made to change the societal norms in Gambia.

Criteria

  • An outstanding Teacher, Administrator or Institution

  • Proven record of outstanding achievement and leadership in the education sector

  • Uses modern techniques and innovations to impact knowledge

  • Achieved significant results (of a class/individual) through their influence

  • Exposed and encouraged youth to participate in national and international competitions

  • Overcomes difficult challenges to delivering quality education in a marginalized or disadvantaged community, especially in the rural Gambia

11 Trailblazer Award (Honoring the differently abled)

The Trailblazer of the Year award is accredited to celebrate and acknowledge a person with disability who, despite the odds against them, RAISE THE BAR AGAINST THE ONE SET FOR THEM.

Criteria

  • Breaks barriers to accomplishing an extraordinary achievement, especially by members of the disability community

  • Proven record of sustained advocacy or campaign that empowers persons with disability

  • Emerged as a strong voice for the cause of persons with disability

  • Donates resources and time to championing the cause of persons with disability

  • Initiate a project that provides skills for the employability of persons with disability.

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