Kassim Sumaina of Abuja
The Africans for Africa (AFA) Initiative has announced the appointment of Sir Sam Jonah as Chair of its Advisory Board.
AFA said the appointment marks a significant milestone for the initiative, which is dedicated to mobilizing African capital to finance and develop the continent’s significant mineral resources.
AFA said in a statement on Tuesday that Jonah’s unparalleled expertise in the global mining sector and lifelong commitment to Africa’s economic empowerment are fully aligned with AFA’s mission to preserve values within the continent.
“We are honored to have Sir Sam Jonah lead our advisory board,” said Tim Tokun, co-founder and managing director of AFA.
He asserted that Jonah’s strategic mandate as Chairman will see him lead the Board of Directors, which oversees the AFA Fund’s governance, investment strategy and stakeholder engagement.
“His leadership will help advance the goals of the African Agency initiative and mobilize resources to support indigenous mining projects and the mineral beneficiation industry,” Tukun said.
“His track record of turning the Ashanti Goldfields into a global giant is a blueprint for what we seek to achieve for indigenous miners across Africa.
“His acceptance of this role validates our vision and strengthens our resolve to build a self-sustaining ecosystem for mining in Africa.”
In his acceptance speech, Jonah said: “The vision underlying the AFA Initiative to assert economic sovereignty over natural resources speaks to a belief I have long championed.
“Africa’s development will be ensured through disciplined capital allocation and sound governance.
“I look forward to working with the Council to transform Africa’s mineral resources into sustainable prosperity.”
Jonah is one of Africa’s most prominent executives and is recognized globally for his innovative leadership in the mining sector.
At the age of 36, he became chief executive officer of Ashanti Goldfields, spearheading its transition from a single mine operation to a major multinational gold mining company.
In 1996, he oversaw Ashanti’s listing on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), making it the first African operating company to list on Wall Street.
Following the merger of Ashanti and AngloGold in 2004, he served as Executive President of AngloGold Ashanti, the world’s second largest gold producer.
He is currently the Executive Chairman of Jonah Capital, a private investment holding company with significant assets in the mining, financial services and agriculture sectors across Africa. International recognition:
In 2003, he was awarded a Knighthood of Honor (KBE) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of his outstanding achievements as an African businessman.
He is also a recipient of Ghana’s highest national award, the Companion of the Order of the Star of Ghana (OSG).
His extensive governance experience includes serving on the boards of major global companies such as Vodafone Group, Standard Bank Group and Bank of America Global Advisory Council.
As AFA chairman, Jonah will lead a high-level advisory committee that includes high-profile figures such as former prime minister and business secretary John Johnson. Kwasi Kwarteng; Segun Lawson, CEO of Thor Explorations Plc. Osamu Iyahen, Senior Director of Investments, African Finance Corporation. Ms. Zenzi Awases, President of the African Women in Mining Association. We also have several other highly qualified professionals who bring together legal, financial and public policy expertise to ensure the highest standards of management.
