Ghana-based IT professional wins Microsoft MVP award

Ghana-based Information Technology (IT) professional, Mr Abou Conde has won the 2020-2021 Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) award.

The award by the American multinational technology company - Microsoft was in recognition of his exceptional technical community leadership on the Microsoft Azure cloud computing platform in Ghana.

"We recognize and value your contributions and commitment to technical communities worldwide," a citation signed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Microsoft, Satya Nadella said.

"By sharing your real-world expertise and technical skills, you demonstrated outstanding technical community leadership. Thank you".

By this feat, Mr Conde, 34, becomes the first Ghana-based Microsoft MVP and joins a select group of only 32 MVPs in all of Africa.

How Abu Conde won

An elated Mr Conde said he dedicated himself to providing online support about Microsoft to persons in Ghana and his activities over the past one-year caught the eye of a 10-year Microsoft MVP who nominated him for the award.

"I realised that in Ghana here, people are not into Microsoft cloud computing but I was providing online support to people in other countries and I decided to create a tech community called Microsoft User Group Ghana – The Place which supports and organises events in Ghana.

IT veteran Microsoft Regional Director and MVP, Patrick Guimonet noticed my activities and nominated me for the award. Microsoft Community Program Manager, Martine Thiphaine later contacted me for more information about my activities and 2 months later I received the award.

Importance of Cloud computing

Touching on the importance of cloud computing in business operations, Mr Conde said the traditional ways of computing was becoming increasingly expensive.

"In the IT world, you can build your own data centre and take care of power, cooling system, machines and other infrastructure but that is costly because of maintenance but IT providers such as Microsoft have built data centres and made it available for rent. "You get the service of IT without the pain of IT".

Who are Microsoft MVPs?

Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals, or MVPs, are technology experts who passionately share their knowledge with the community.

They are always on the "bleeding edge" and have an unstoppable urge to get their hands on new, exciting technologies.

They have very deep knowledge of Microsoft products and services, while also being able to bring together diverse platforms, products and solutions, to solve real-world problems.

MVPs make up a global community of over 2714 in October 2019 technical experts and community leaders across 90 countries/regions and are driven by their passion, community spirit, and the quest for knowledge.

Above all and in addition to their amazing technical abilities, MVPs are always willing to help others - that's what sets them apart.