FTS is proud to share the news that slavery survivor and Ghanaian frontline anti-slavery activist James Kofi Annan has been awarded the 2013 World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child.
The prize is determined by children who vote for one of three nominees. More than 2.2 million kids cast ballots from around the world this year, with James receiving a majority of the vote.
The announcement came yesterday at a Children’s Press Conference held in several countries on the same day. James was in Stockholm to hear that he had won.
James was sold into slavery at age 6, and was forced into dangerous work on fishing boats in Ghana for seven years. He finally taught himself to read and got a college education. Now — with a rescue boat, recovery shelter and school — James does for others what he wished someone had done for him. He helps enslaved children restart their lives.
“By rescuing others, I feel I’m rescuing myself,” James says about his work. I feel that I’m correcting the injustice that was done when I was young.”
James was recognized by the World’s Children’s Prize Foundation as a Child Rights Hero, and nominated for the prize this past March, along with two other candidates. All three heroes receive prize money to further their work.
Congratulations, James!
