According to Angela Dwamena-Aboagye, the chairperson of the Civic Forum Initiative and executive director of The Ark Foundation, giving Vice President and New Patriotic Party flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia the highest national honor following his humiliating election defeat is a mockery.

At the 2024 National Honours ceremony, which took place on Monday, December 30, 2024, at the Accra International Conference Centre, Dr. Bawumia, the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party in the just ended 2024 election, received the "Order of the Star of Ghana – Officer Award." His services to national unity and religious tolerance were honored with the prize.

Speaking on JoyNews' Newsfile, Dr. Dwamena-Aboagye said she was thrilled for a few people who were also honored and recognized that evening.

She did express dismay, though, when she learned that some government appointments had been chosen in spite of public opposition.

There was a significant vote against you while people were evaluating you, particularly during the election period when you continued to nominate appointee after appointee. "I believe that the optics, the foundations, and the partisanship behind it were not good, even if they deserved it," she said.


She also questioned the president's motivations for selecting his own appointees.

"So, even though the individual is also a citizen, is there no one worthy of an award who holds a different opinion from yours?" she asked.

Even though Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia's achievements were acknowledged, Dr. Dwamena-Aboagye said the honor bestowed upon him mocked his character following his crushing defeat by his opponent.

There is no question about Dr. Bawumia's accomplishments, persona, or whatever. I've even heard that he already has an international appointment. However, she said, "You put him in a position of ridicule when you give him the highest award after he has just lost badly."