In 2007, the German Africa Award was awarded to Dr Francis Appiah for his outstanding services to the African Peer Review Mechanism in Ghana and throughout Africa.

As a graduate of the University of Ghana, Appiah received his PhD in Administration and Organisation Science from the University of Bergen, Norway, where he taught from 1992 to 1996. He returned to Ghana in 1996 and taught as a lecturer at the present University of Ghana Business School. As Head of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Secretariat in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, he was advisor to the President of Ghana from 2002 onwards, where he was responsible for the implementation of NEPAD in Ghana.

The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) is a voluntary process of mutual qualitative assessment of governance of African states within the framework of the African Union and part of the NEPAD initiative. Ghana is the first country which has undergone this process fully and successfully, largely due to Francis Appiah’s efforts. Responsible for the implementation of the APRM in Ghana, he managed to arrange the review independently and without external political influence. It is thanks to his achievements that Ghana has become a pioneer and model for reforms throughout Africa. Francis Appiah died unexpectedly in 2010 – the loss of a pioneer who stood for a generation of modern Africans, for reforms, ownership and confidence.

The Award was presented by Federal Chancellor Dr Angela Merkel.