Technical Advisor to the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Elsie Appau-Klu Esq., has received an award of ‘Excellence in Public Policy and Governance’ in recognition of her contributions to public policy and leadership at the 16th African Achievers Awards, held at the historic House of Lords, Palace of Westminster, London, United Kingdom.
The Awards was hosted on July 22, 2026, by Lords Baroness Verma, Member of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom & Chancellor of the University of Roehampton and Baron Simon Wooley of Woodford.
Madam Appau-Klu was honoured with similar recognition at the 8th Edition of the Awards at the House of Commons, London in 2018 together with Mr Ibrahim Mahama of Ghana.
The award recognises outstanding leadership and contributions to public service, governance and policy development across Africa.
Receiving the award, Ms. Appau-Klu described the recognition as a tribute not only to her efforts but also to the entire Ghana Revenue Authority, led by Commissioner-General Anthony Sarpong, and to Ghanaian taxpayers whose contributions drive national development.
“I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive this Excellence in Public Policy and Governance Award here at the historic House of Lords. This award is not mine alone. I receive it on behalf of the entire team at the Ghana Revenue Authority and on behalf of the taxpayers of Ghana,” she said.
Addressing an audience that included dignitaries hosted by Lord Woolley of Woodford, including business leaders, politicians, senior policy leaders, diplomats and fellow award recipients, she stressed that Africa’s development depends on strong institutions, sound public policies and effective governance.
According to her, the continent’s ability to finance its own development lies in improving public trust in state institutions.
“Across Africa today, we are having one central conversation: How do we fund our own development? The answer lies in good public policy and sound governance. When institutions work, citizens trust. When citizens trust, they comply. And when they comply, nations build schools, hospitals, roads and jobs from their own resources,” she noted.
Ms. Appau-Klu highlighted the Ghana Revenue Authority’s ongoing reforms aimed at modernising tax administration and improving voluntary tax compliance.
She said the reforms focus on deploying technology to make tax compliance easier and more transparent, broadening the country’s tax base to ensure fairness, and educating citizens to see taxation as an investment in national development rather than a burden.
“Under the guidance of the Commissioner-General at GRA, our contribution to this vision has been through tax reform that is fair, modern and human,” she said.
She encouraged public servants across the continent to remain committed to serving with integrity despite the challenges associated with public service.
“Nation building is slow, it is tough and it is often unseen. But it is the most important work we can do,” she remarked.
Ms. Appau-Klu also urged young Africans to embrace careers in public service, describing governance as a powerful tool for transforming lives and strengthening national development.
Beyond her work at the GRA, Madam Appau-Klu who is a lawyer, human resources practitioner, policy analyst, gender rights advocate, and entrepreneur, acknowledged the role of the Women Entrepreneurs Network, where she has championed policy reforms to support women-owned businesses.
She also highlighted the work of the Ezel Foundation, which focuses on empowering women and girls, promoting career development, supporting vulnerable women and advocating for women’s economic rights.
Dedicating the award to the memory of her late grandmother, who raised her from infancy, Ms. Appau-Klu expressed gratitude to her family, colleagues at the GRA and all Ghanaian taxpayers.
She concluded by calling for greater African self-reliance through stronger governance and domestic resource mobilisation.
“As Africans, our future must be funded by Africans, governed by Africans and built for Africans including the Diaspora in Partnership with the rest of the world” she said.
The African Achievers Awards has become an internationally respected platform dedicated to celebrating outstanding Africans and organizations whose leadership, innovation, and service continue to inspire positive transformation across the continent.
Hosting the ceremony at the historic House of Lords underscores the global significance of the awards and their commitment to recognizing individuals and institutions shaping Africa’s future.
Some notable personalities who received the awards at the 16th edition of the event include, Rt Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Sarah Fafa Kpodo, Chantelle Abdul, Jane Frances Acilo, and Aisha Maina among others.
Previous recipients of the African Achievers Awards
Some notable individuals, and organizations who have been honored with the Awards in the past, include Archbishop Bishop Desmond Tutu, Prof John Evans Attah Mills (former President of Ghana), Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (Former African Union Chairperson), Mr Jakaya Kikwete (former President of the Republic of Tanzania), Dr Josephine Ojiambo (Deputy Secretary-General of Commonwealth), and Divine Ndikhuluka ( Former Chairperson Zimbabwe Chambers of Commerce), Bill and Melinda Gate Foundation, SABC South Africa, Kofi Annan Foundation and the African Development Bank (AFDB) among others.
