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.

The award ceremony, known as the Ghana National Awards, recognised individuals such as Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who received the ‘Order of the Star of Ghana, Officer’ award for his pivotal role in shaping Ghana’s economic policies and spearheading digital transformation initiatives.

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.

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.

Ghanaweb provides a breakdown of what the Ghana National Awards represent, the criteria for awarding excellence, and who qualifies for the awards.

What is the Ghana National Honors and Awards?

The National Honors and Awards is a prestigious ceremony that recognises individuals who have made distinguished and exceptional contributions to Ghana in various fields.

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.

The awards were introduced by Ghana's first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, with the inaugural ceremony held in 1960 when Ghana became a republic.

Categories of the awards

The awards are presented in several categories, each specifying the qualifications for recipients.

They are as follows:

1. The Grand Order of the Star and Eagles of Ghana

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.

2. Order of the Star of Ghana

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’s development in various fields.

The award has three classes:

Companion

Officer

Member

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.

3. Order of the Volta Award

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.

The Order is divided into three classes:

Companion (in 18-carat gold) – for distinguished service in various fields.

Officer (in silver) – for exceptional contributions to public service.

Member (in silver) – for notable service in public and voluntary sectors.

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).

4. The Medal for Gallantry

This award honours individuals who have demonstrated exceptional bravery and courage in the line of duty, often in challenging or dangerous circumstances.

5. The Grand Medal

The Grand Medal recognises individuals for their public service across various sectors for their outstanding contributions to fields such as education, sports, health, and business.

It may also be awarded to all ranks of the Ghana Armed Forces for their faithful and loyal service to the Republic.

The medal for this category is silver with a size 38mm high, and 33mm wide. The Ribbon is 32mm wide with a blue background, a 3mm black and 3mm white stripe in the centre and 3mm red at the ends. The symbol on the medal is an elephant with the inscription beneath 'The Grand Medal'.

6. Presidential Honors for Distinguished Service

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.

The award honours the collective efforts of citizens, institutions, and global development partners in safeguarding lives and mobilizing resources throughout the pandemic.

Watch videos of the awards ceremony below:







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