NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL AWARDS

Why the National Professional Awards? 

The  National Professional Awards (NPA) was initiated in October 2014 to  recognise individuals and organisations – both foreign and national –  that are playing important role in advancing the socioeconomic  development of Sierra Leone. Their participation is essential to the  success of the national development agenda and programme priorities.  Over the years, new entrants – both citizens and foreigners – have been  playing leading role in pushing the national agenda forward. 

The  African Consulting Group (ACG) and Ecomedia Corporation established the  awards to engage those men and women at the centre stage and recognise  excellence, commitment and innovation in enhancing sustainable  development across every sector in the country. The work of the awards  is anchored in the belief that recognising and empowering individuals  and organisations that are playing tremendous role in society is very  essential in moving the country forward. It is vital to empower  individuals and organisations to realise their potential as resources. 

Brief History: The first awards ceremony was held in conjunction with the Sierra Leone  CEO & Business Awards at the Bintumani International Conference  Centre in Freetown on 23rd October, 2016. There were over 850 people in  attendance, including diplomats, ministers, CEOs and heads of  parastatals, NGOs and international organisations.  The combined  ceremony drew people from both the public and private sectors to  celebrate excellence of the outstanding men and women working hard to  move Sierra Leone forward. The awards ceremony have been organised every  year.

Awards Profile

The  National Professional Awards aim to raise the profile of dedicated  individuals and committed organisations and to highlight the  contributions they are making towards developing a fairer, sustainable,  peaceful, and prosperous future for all Sierra Leoneans. The awards  honour excellence, leadership and the creative use of professional  services and expertise, development efforts, finance and other resources  to move Sierra Leone forward. 

As  a multi-sector-driven initiative, the awards select and honour donor  agencies, UN institutions, national regulatory authorities, and private  foundations and corporations that have exemplified through their  leadership excellence, hard work, innovation and commitment, above and  beyond their expected responsibilities, the principles upon which the  National Professional Awards was founded.

The 9th Edition (2024)

In  2024 the awards will be presented to deserving winners to honour their  excellence, innovation, dedication and commitment in the work for social  and economic development at community and national levels.  Organisations and individuals are selected based on their contribution  to community and national development for one or more of the categories  and criteria stated by the Organising Committee. The theme for the award  ceremony is “Celebrating Professional Excellence in Sierra Leone.”

This year’s awards ceremony will be held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Aberdeen, Freetown, on Friday, 8th November 2024, beginning at 6 PM prompt  with a reception followed by a gala dinner. The awards ceremony is  anticipated to be a major national platform for the recognition of key  professionals, distinguished personalities and well performing  organisations, and as such, all awardees are respectfully required to  attend and receive this recognition. 

Selection Requirements 

• An  Individual Awardee must have been engaged in professional services or  development work for five or more years, either in a professional or  voluntary capacity; 
• An Organisation or Corporate Awardee must be presently engaged in social or economic development work; 
• An individual honouree must have a university degree;
• An honouree shall be between the ages of 25 years and 59 years by October 2024; 
• An  honouree must have not been engaged in any criminal act or convicted or  found guilty of any unprofessional or unethical behavior, crime or  corrupt practice(s) in any court of law, either at home or abroad;
• The winners must agree to take part in publicity generated by the organisers. 

Awards Process

There  will be 100 finalists (Top 100 Professionals in Sierra Leone) in the  overall award programme in the 2024 edition. In addition, selected  awardees of the top entry receiving the “Best of the Year” and the  second top winner category receiving the “Special Recognition of the  Year” Award in that particular category for the 2024 edition. 

The  honourees will each receive a trophy and a certificate of recognition  at an official ceremony during the awards banquet and gala dinner.

Organising Committee

The  Organising Committee is made up of seven independent and outstanding  personalities in different sectors across Sierra Leone. It recognises  outstanding achievements, organises and reviews the nominations for  specific and general categories, and selects a recommended winner for  each award. The goal of the Committee is to recognise the  accomplishments of the outstanding professionals through an awards  programme, and raise the prestige of the National Professional Awards  programme through enhancing opportunities for recognising award winners  and increasing the pool of diverse, qualified applications and  nominations for the awards.

Cost of Participation

As  a self-sponored, we encourage all honourees and invited guests to help  cover the cost of their participation, including participating in the  reception and gala dinner. This covers meal, drinks, entertainment and  photographs.

Contact the Organising Committee

Contact Person:

Sally Sesay, Coordinator, National Professional Awards 2024

Tel: 076-200-353 / 077-762-20

Email: awards@africanconsultingcorp.com or info@nationalprofessionalawards.com