Accra, June 29, GNA - The Government on Thursday said the National Grand Medal with all its images - Obverse and Reverse had been in existence since Ghana attained a Republican status in 1960 and not the creation of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

A statement issued in Accra and signed by Mr Andrew A. Awuni, Press Secretary to the President and Presidential Spokesman said; " We wish to state that the National Grand Medal with all its images - Obverse and Reverse has been with us since we attained our Republican status in 1960 and is therefore, not the creation of the NPP Government."

It was in reaction to some criticisms from some individuals and political parties about the image of an Elephant on the Obverse side of the National Grand Medal.

The statement said the critics alleged that the NPP Government caused the image of the elephant to be embossed on the National Grand Medal and therefore, called for its replacement.

It said all previous recipients of the Grand Medal under past Governments would find the image of an Elephant on their medals.

"This is the National Heritage we all came to meet. The Elephant on the National Grand Medal is not the creation of the NPP Government neither is it the symbol of the NPP," It added.