"Leadership is important everywhere but especially so in Africa. The tasks facing leaders in Africa are challenging, and the lives and well beings of many millions of people will depend upon the performance of those leaders.

It follows that we should strive to recognise and reward those successful leaders who are able to deliver tangible results for their citizens.

Mo Ibrahim has started an African Foundation to help Africa move forward, that's a good example of Africa helping itself and important model for moving forward to create growth stability and peace in Africa.

The Foundation is establishing a prize to encourage effective leadership and to help focus the debate on Africa on good governance. I think you'll agree that it is a very timely debate.

It's also a notable initiative because of the man who's spearheading it... I wish the Foundation much success in its important work and I thank Mo Ibrahim for the leadership he is demonstrating, the prize for which will be one we can all share - a better and brighter future for our children."