Celebrating Ashwell Glasson’s Award for Conservation and Environmental Governance at GGA’s 10th Anniversary

We are thrilled to announce that Ashwell Glasson , the Southern African Wildlife College's Registrar who heads up the Student Administration and Programme Support department, has been recognised for his outstanding contributions to conservation and environmental governance in Africa. At Good Governance Africa’s (GGA) 10th anniversary celebration and awards ceremony, Ashwell was honoured with the Award for Conservation and Environmental Good Governance for Africa.

Ashwell shared his reflections on the significance of this moment in his career: ?

"Receiving an Award of Recognition for Conservation and Environmental Governance has been a significant highlight of my career. To be invited to attend GGA’s 10th-anniversary celebration and spend time with fellow awardees and colleagues from across Africa—from Ethiopia to Nigeria—was an eye-opening experience. It reinforced my understanding of the incredible efforts being made to improve people's daily lives across the continent despite major global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss."

Ashwell also acknowledged the critical role that the College has played in his journey, saying:

“To receive recognition for my efforts is due to the encouraging environment at the Southern African Wildlife College, where I learn from colleagues and partners across the conservation sector.”

GGA has become a second home for Ashwell, where he engages with policy experts and conservation professionals to address critical issues related to Africa’s development. As one of the continent’s leading think tanks, GGA continues to play an integral role in shaping policy and fostering partnerships that promote good governance across Africa.

The highlight of the event for Ashwell was hearing about the Anti-Corruption Court initiative, driven by world-renowned Justice Richard Goldstone. The initiative is focused on tackling corruption on a global scale, addressing issues such as money laundering by transnational crime syndicates and the illicit wildlife trade—a critical challenge for conservation efforts.

Ashwell’s award represents the culmination of years of dedication to environmental security, wildlife law enforcement, and governance, greatly supported by his work at the SAWC. He expressed his gratitude towards the leadership and support at GGA, specifically recognising Mr Robert Rose, Mr Patrick Kulati, Stephen Buchanan-Clarke, and Gail Nel for their roles in shaping his career aspirations.

As the College, we are immensely proud of Ashwell’s achievements and the recognition of his work, which aligns with our mission to lead in the fields of conservation training and skills development, community engagement, and environmental stewardship.?

Congratulations to Good Governance Africa on celebrating ten years of excellence and to Ashwell for this well-deserved honour!