Accra, May 28, GNA - The Ministry of Information and National Orientation on Wednesday said nominated personalities for national awards were to be screened before formal endorsement by the President.

"It must be noted that every year, the committee that overseas the granting of awards receives a lot of nominations from individuals as well as organisations on people they desire to be honoured.

"The nominees are then screened and those befitting of awards presented to the President for his assent..Until that is done no nominee could be said to have been honoured," a statement signed by Mr Stephen Asamoah-Boateng explained.

The statement said: "Government wishes to state that the nomination of Professor John Evans Atta Mills remains just that, a nomination, and should not be misconstrued to mean that a definite decision has been made on the matter."

A government statement at the weekend said Former Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Vice President, Nayiri Naa Bohugu Mahami Shirigu, Paramount Chief of Mamprugu Traditional Area, the Yegun Wura Bawa Doshie, Paramount Chief of Gonja Traditional Area and the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II had been nominated for national awards.

The list is made up of five for the Order of Star of Ghana (Companion Division), 50 for Order of the Volta (Companion Division), 38 for Order of the Volta (Officer Division) 16 for Order of the Volta (Member), and 49 for Grand medal.

This year's National Awards ceremony is scheduled for July 3, as part of activities to mark the Republic Day.