The gathering, a surprise celebration put together by CDD-Ghana and TrustAfrica, was attended by Akwasi and his wife Ayesha Imam and a large number of friends from across the continent.

At the lead were former Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi and his wife Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi who were the brain behind the event. Also present was Dr Adhiambo Odaga, who took over from Dr Aidoo as the west Africa Representative for the Ford Foundation. The celebrant thought he was invited to the event to deliver a lecture in honour of Fayemi!

Entertainment was provided by Senegalese music legend, Baaba Maal, at the event which also saw the presentation of a book containing tributes by the celebrant’s friends and associates.

The participants spoke to Dr Aidoo’s vision and lifelong dedication to the development of Africa, whose work continues to inspire generations of African change activists and thinkers.

One of the highlights of the celebration was the Fishbowl Chat with the celebrant, anchored by Brian Kagoro. This explores themes such as who is Akwasi, what teachable lessons has he learnt over time and which pieces of advice would he provide to guide the future of Africa.

There was also a session of heartfelt testimonials by the audience, with most speaking on the various aspects of Dr. Aidoo’s work: as a pioneer and mentor to professionals in African philanthropy, democratic governance, and citizen-centered development.

Dr Aidoo is widely known as a pan Africanist, thought leader, teacher and mentor, humanist, poet and a family man.

As stated by Dr Kayode Fayemi, Dr Aidoo’s work across IDRC and the Ford Foundation in West Africa, and later as Director of Ford’s Special Initiative for Africa and founding Executive Director at Trust Africa, “coincided with a defining period when many African societies were emerging from authoritarian rule and civic space was being reclaimed and strengthened.

” That period remains a high point in the support for independent institutions and democratic ideas on the continent.”

As it is for several non profit organisations that now shapes thoughts across Africa, Fayemi traced the establishment and early consolidation of the Centre for Democracy and Development, first in London and later in Accra, Lagos and Abuja, to Dr Aidoo’s strategic support and belief in the role of ideas, institutions, and people in driving change.

“Many initiatives on constitutionalism, transitional justice, and South–South intellectual exchange drew strength from his commitment to building durable African capacities rather than short-term interventions,” he said.

The TrustAfrica team also spoke proudly of their inheritance from Dr Aidoo, who is the founding Executive Director of the organisation.

The evening was rounded off with presentation of fists to the celebrant and photographs.

About the celebrant

Akwasi Aidoo has extensive experience in philanthropy and development work in Africa. His previous positions include regional program officer for West and Central Africa at the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), head of the Ford Foundation’s offices in Senegal and Nigeria from 1993 to 2001, and director of the Ford Foundation’s Special Initiative for Africa from 2001 to 2005.

Dr. Aidoo sits on the boards of several nonprofit organizations, including the Resource Alliance, Fund for Global Human Rights, Global Greengrants Fund, Open Society Institute for West Africa, and International Beliefs and Values Institute.

He was educated in Ghana and the United States, completing his Ph.D. in sociology at the University of Connecticut in 1985, and has taught at universities in Ghana, Tanzania, and the United States. He writes poetry and short stories in his free time.