EMY Africa, short for Exclusive Men of the Year Africa, has recognised distinguished men across diverse fields since 2016. In an exclusive interview, Kojo Soboh, the visionary behind the EMY Africa Awards, shared insights into the event’s significance and impact including offering $5,000 in funding to young entrepreneurs.
Through its annual awards, magazine, expo, and forums, EMY Africa not only honors outstanding individuals but also inspires future leaders, promotes youth empowerment and fosters cross-border collaboration.
Soboh emphasised the organisation’s dedication to uplifting African values and driving progress across the continent, highlighting specific initiatives and partnerships that contribute to social and economic development in Ghana, Nigeria, and beyond.
Can you share the significance of the name “EMY Africa” and what it represents?
EMY Africa (Exclusive Men of the Year Africa) celebrates and recognises the achievements of distinguished men across various fields, including business, arts, culture, governance, sports, and community service. We also give complimentary awards to outstanding women. Since its inception in 2016, EMY Africa has become a pointer of African excellence, leadership, cultural pride, and sustainable development. Through its annual awards, magazine, expo, and forums, EMY Africa not only honours outstanding individuals but also inspires and empowers the next generation of African leaders. The organisation is dedicated to cross-border collaboration, upholding African values, and driving progress across the continent.
How does EMY Africa contribute to social and economic development in Ghana, Nigeria, and Africa?
EMY Africa awards and events inspire others to strive for success, promote youth empowerment, and provide networking opportunities for business leaders. By aligning with global goals like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, EMY Africa supports social impact initiatives that address inequalities and promote decent work. Additionally, it encourages cultural exchange and engagement with the African diaspora, strengthening ties and boosting investment opportunities.
Have you undertaken any specific initiatives or partnerships to create a positive impact?
Apart from the EMY Africa Awards which promotes leadership and excellence, the EMY Africa Magazine which focuses on telling human-interest stories. Through the magazine, we have created a community called the Generation Now Community, which focuses on young people.
So far, we have released two issues focusing on young people’s achievements and challenges. Every year since 2023, we have a networking brunch in December for the members of the community. We also convene the Inspiring Greatness Forum where young people can meet some of our honourees, engage in mentorship programmes, and pitch for funding for their education and business ideas. We provided $5,000 in funding this year to young entrepreneurs.
We also launched the EMY Africa Expo this year which promotes intra-African trade, networking, and collaboration and provides a space for emerging and established businesses to grow their clientele and expand their market reach.
Our latest offering, the African Rising Symposium was organised in partnership with the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa at the London School of Economics and Political Science. It gathered thought leaders, innovators, and influencers from Africa and the diaspora to talk about Africa’s growth and future opportunities and promote the exchange of ideas and collaboration on developmental initiatives.
EMY Africa collaborates with key organisations and stakeholders such as UNESCO, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), and the Office of the President of Ghana (Diaspora Affairs) to align its initiatives with broader development goals. These partnerships amplify its impact by supporting cultural exchange, investment opportunities, and sustainable development across the continent.
Through these initiatives and partnerships, EMY Africa is committed to driving social and economic development, inspiring the next generation, and enhancing the visibility of African excellence on a global scale.
What inspired you to create the EMY Africa Awards, and what was the vision behind it that should make the general public more interested in it and build anticipation for it?
For a long time, I have been concerned by the mediocrity around us and the low standards we often celebrate as a people. I decided to tell a different story – one of excellence, by celebrating outstanding Africans and their exceptional achievements through the EMY Africa Awards and the EMY Africa Magazine. Inspiration is a powerful catalyst for success, and the African youth need a great deal of it.
Moreover, the welfare and development of young boys have been neglected for too long. EMY Africa strives to project positive male role models for their peers, young boys, and girls, and promote the idea of positive masculinity. Initiatives like the “Inspiring Greatness Project” and the “Treat Her Right” project embody this commitment.
The “Inspiring Greatness Project” provides a platform where youth can connect with and be mentored by successful figures from Ghana and across Africa, including EMY Africa award winners. For every influential person we honour, we aim to uplift a young individual.
Can you highlight some of the most memorable moments or achievements from past EMY Africa Awards ceremonies?
The EMY Africa Awards have had numerous memorable moments and achievements over the years. Some highlights include awarding Lifetime Achievement and Continental Icon Awards to iconic figures such as Sir Sam Jonah, Asamoah Gyan, Richard Mofe Damijo, Akinumi Adesina, Ayo Animashuan, Chief Dele Momodu, Cohbams Asuoquo, Lanre Olusola and having them attend the awards ceremony to receive their awards. It’s such a big deal to have these figures who have made outstanding contributions to various fields give you their vote of confidence.
Other memorable moments include honouring young trailblazers and creatives who are making remarkable strides in their industries. For example, individuals like Stonebwoy have been awarded for their artistic achievements and influence, demonstrating that youth can lead and inspire.
The presence of high-profile guests like former President John Agyekum Kufuor and prominent business leaders has elevated the prestige of the awards.
The introduction of awards for differently abled persons has been a significant milestone. Honouring differently abled changemakers reinforces the message of empowerment.
Another huge achievement for us is the launch of initiatives like the Inspiring Greatness Project, which provides mentorship opportunities for young people, stands out as a memorable achievement. This project aligns with EMY Africa’s mission to foster positive masculinity and leadership among the youth.
Can you share some examples of women who have received awards and the positive impact it has had on their lives?
EMY Africa recognises outstanding women who have made significant contributions in their respective fields through its complementary awards, such as the Woman of the Year award. This recognition has had a profound impact on the lives of these women, boosting their visibility and influence, empowering them to continue their work with even greater impact.
For example, Dr. Ellen Hagan, a recipient of the Woman of the Year award, has seen her advocacy for women’s leadership and empowerment and girl child education gain more traction, allowing her to mentor and inspire more women across Africa.
Other honourees have used the platform to advance their initiatives, promoting positive change in their communities and serving as role models for the next generation of female leaders.
What challenges and obstacles face award shows?
Award shows like the EMY Africa Awards often face several challenges and obstacles. There’s the challenge of maintaining relevance. In an ever-changing social and cultural scape, award shows must continually evolve to stay relevant. This means adapting categories, criteria, and presentation styles to reflect current values, trends, and societal issues.
Award shows must also ensure inclusivity and diversity.
One of the critical challenges is to ensure that the awards are inclusive, representing a wide range of voices, perspectives, and backgrounds. This includes overcoming biases in nomination and selection processes to ensure fair representation.
Award shows can be expensive to organise, requiring significant financial support for venues, marketing, logistics, and more. Securing consistent sponsorships and funding can be challenging, especially in uncertain economic times. This challenge is worse when it is coupled with logistical complexities. Coordinating large-scale events involves complex logistics, from managing guest lists and media coverage to ensuring technical setups, security, and hospitality services are flawless. Any oversight can lead to disruptions and a negative experience for attendees.
The utmost challenge in my view however is maintaining credibility and transparency. Award shows must be transparent about their selection and judging processes to maintain credibility. Allegations of favouritism, rigging, or lack of transparency can damage the reputation of the awards and erode public trust.
Finally, there’s the challenge of navigating political and cultural sensitivities. Given that award shows often celebrate public figures and leaders, navigating political and cultural sensitivities is crucial. Missteps in this area can lead to controversies or backlash.
These challenges require strategic planning, a commitment to excellence, and the flexibility to adapt to changes in society and industry trends.
From last year’s event looking into this year’s event, what is the purpose of the pre-award’s soiree in Lagos, and how does it complement the main awards ceremony?
The pre-award soiree in Lagos serves multiple purposes that complement the main EMY Africa Awards ceremony. Firstly, it acts as a platform for building anticipation and excitement ahead of the main event by gathering past award winners, nominees, and influential personalities in a more intimate setting. This allows for meaningful networking and relationship-building among industry leaders, creatives, and stakeholders from various sectors across Africa.
Secondly, the soiree provides an opportunity to announce the competitive award nominations for the upcoming main awards, generating media buzz and public interest. By creating an exclusive, premium experience, the pre-award soiree helps to elevate the prestige of the EMY Africa Awards and reinforces its commitment to celebrating excellence and leadership across the continent.
