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"Diamond of Africa Award" Acceptance / Ghana President Benefit Dinner

Date confirmed on the “Diamond of Africa Award” plaque (Image 009) (“November 1, 1995”)

“Jet” magazine (December 11, 1995) (archived)

Ghana President Jerry John Rawlings described his recent visit to the U.S. as “very successful”. The purpose of Rawlings’ 11-day tour was to promote U.S. investment and trade with Ghana.

..During his historic visit, President Rawlings was also recently honored at a star-studded tribute dinner in Beverly Hills.

The dinner had as its theme “Ghana Looks at the 21st Century” and focused attention on Ghana as a place with great potential for investors from America and the rest of the world.

The evening’s highlight was the appearance of pop legend Michael Jackson who postponed a trip to Europe to make certain he was at the event. “[m supposed to be in Germany, but I postponed it to be here,” Jackson told the President and First Lady. “I was advised of your presence and I found out about your mission to rebuild Africa. I couldn’t resist. I love Africa...You are not alone.”

Jackson presented the first couple with two elegant swords. According to the dinner’s organizer, Dr. Khalid Abdullah Tariq AlMansour, the swords were designed “to cut out division, insecurity, hypocrisy and the negativism. Rise and unite! Africa is back.”

President Rawlings said of Jackson to the sellout, black-tie crowd: “I never thought I'd have the honor and privilege of meeting the genius in person. To meet him on a day like this is an honor. What impressed me most is that he’s a man of heart.” He went on to say: “Pain is something I've been through. It’s only fools who don’t learn through pain. Africa has been through some difficult times. All of us are nothing more than the sum total of our past experiences. Africa is not asking for favors. She is going through a very healthy transition. I'm asking you to invest. I’m not asking you to gamble.” The President and first lady expressed their gratitude to Jackson by presenting him with the elegant Diamond of Africa.