PRESS RELEASE

President J. A. Kufuor has in accordance with the National Honours Warrant of the Republic of Ghana (1960), instituted a new National Award- THE GRAND ORDER OF THE STAR AND EAGLES OF GHANA, to be the highest State Award.

Only those who legitimately attain the high office of President of the Republic of Ghana are entitled to this award. In this regard, the two persons who currently qualify for this award are President John Agyekum Kufuor and former President Flt. (rtd) Jerry John Rawlings.

Similarly, Vice Presidents of the Republic of Ghana qualify for THE ORDER OF THE STAR-COMPANION.

Accordingly, current Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama and former Vice President Professor John Evans Atta Mills, are entitled to the ORDER OF THE STAR-COMPANION. The ORDER OF THE STAR-COMPANION may however also be awarded to such personalities, nationals or foreigners who might be adjudged as deserving.

The next National Awards ceremony will be held on July 3, 2008 at the Accra International Conference Centre.

A total of 244 persons including distinguished foreign nationals will be presented with various categories of awards at this year’s awards ceremony. The other categories of awards are; ORDER OF THE STAR-MEMBER, ORDER OF THE VOLTA-COMPANION, ORDER OF THE VOLTA-OFFICER, ORDER OF THE VOLTA-MEMBER AND THE GRAND MEDAL.

Sgnd:

ANDREW AWUNI PRESS SECRETARY TO THE PRESIDENT & PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESMAN