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On Monday, December 30, 2024, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo honoured his appointees, ministers, and several prominent individuals from various sectors for their exceptional contributions to national development and public service. <\/p>\n
The award ceremony, known as the Ghana National Awards, recognised individuals such as Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who received the \u2018Order of the Star of Ghana, Officer\u2019 award for his pivotal role in shaping Ghana\u2019s economic policies and spearheading digital transformation initiatives. <\/p>\n
Other awardees included Mavis Hawa Koomson (Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East), Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (Member of Parliament for Manhyia South), and Dr. Ernest Addison (Governor of the Bank of Ghana), among others. <\/p>\n
However, the event has since sparked public criticism, with many questioning the criteria used to award some of the appointees, whom the public feels are undeserving or have underperformed in their respective roles. <\/p>\n
Ghanaweb provides a breakdown of what the Ghana National Awards represent, the criteria for awarding excellence, and who qualifies for the awards. <\/p>\n
What is the Ghana National Honors and Awards?<\/b> <\/p>\n
The National Honors and Awards is a prestigious ceremony that recognises individuals who have made distinguished and exceptional contributions to Ghana in various fields. <\/p>\n
Established in 1960, the Awards aim to honour outstanding Ghanaians who have made significant impacts in national development, celebrating creativity, innovation, excellence, and hard work. <\/p>\n
The awards were introduced by Ghana’s first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, with the inaugural ceremony held in 1960 when Ghana became a republic. <\/p>\n
Categories of the awards<\/b> <\/p>\n
The awards are presented in several categories, each specifying the qualifications for recipients. <\/p>\n
They are as follows: <\/p>\n
1. The Grand Order of the Star and Eagles of Ghana<\/b> <\/p>\n
This is the highest national honour, awarded exclusively to individuals who have served as President of the Republic of Ghana. The award was introduced by former President John Agyekum Kufuor in June 2008. <\/p>\n
2. Order of the Star of Ghana<\/b> <\/p>\n
The Order of the Star of Ghana is the second-highest award, conferred by the President on individuals who have made significant contributions to the country\u2019s development in various fields. <\/p>\n
The award has three classes: <\/p>\n
Companion <\/p>\n
Officer <\/p>\n
Member <\/p>\n
The insignia features a seven-pointed star medal, 51 mm in diameter, worn with a ribbon collar and sash. The ribbon, 35 mm wide, has three equal stripes of red, yellow, and green, and the sash is 102 mm wide. The Companion wears the ribbon over the right shoulder, while the Officer and Member wear it over the left. <\/p>\n
3. Order of the Volta Award<\/b> <\/p>\n
The Order of the Volta is a prestigious merit-based award given for exceptional service to the country. It features a seven-pointed star medal, worn with a ribbon collar, sash, pendant, and rosette. The design symbolises the Volta Hydro Scheme and the power it generates. <\/p>\n
The Order is divided into three classes: <\/p>\n
Companion (in 18-carat gold) \u2013 for distinguished service in various fields. <\/p>\n
Officer (in silver) \u2013 for exceptional contributions to public service. <\/p>\n
Member (in silver) \u2013 for notable service in public and voluntary sectors. <\/p>\n
Eligible recipients come from diverse sectors such as civil service, military, police, judiciary, education, public health, sports, culture, commerce, and agriculture. The award is not conferred posthumously or immediately after service. Recipients may use post-nominal initials for each class: CV (Companion), OV (Officer), and MV (Member). <\/p>\n
4. The Medal for Gallantry<\/b> <\/p>\n
This award honours individuals who have demonstrated exceptional bravery and courage in the line of duty, often in challenging or dangerous circumstances. <\/p>\n
5. The Grand Medal<\/b> <\/p>\n
The Grand Medal recognises individuals across various sectors for their outstanding contributions to fields such as education, sports, health, and business. <\/p>\n
6. Presidential Honors for Distinguished Service<\/b> <\/p>\n
Introduced by President Akufo-Addo in 2023, this new category recognizes individuals and institutions that demonstrated exceptional resilience and service during the COVID-19 pandemic. <\/p>\n
The award honours the collective efforts of citizens, institutions, and global development partners in safeguarding lives and mobilizing resources throughout the pandemic. <\/p>\n
Watch videos of the awards ceremony below:<\/b><\/p>\n