The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has lambasted President Nana Akufo-Addo over the selection process for the recently conferred National State Awards.
Speaking at the 43rd-anniversary celebration of the 31st December Revolution, Mr Nketiah questioned the credibility of the awards, asserting that some recipients did not merit the honours they received. He also criticised the lack of transparent criteria for selecting awardees, which he argued undermines the prestige of the awards.
"State awards are serious business," Mr Nketiah stated. "They must be reserved for people of distinction, people who have fought for a good cause. If we award state honours to vigilante boys and girls, then we are teaching the youth that it is acceptable to pick up weapons and loot state coffers as ministers."
He proposed the establishment of legislation to regulate the conferral of National and State Awards, advocating for transparency, fairness, and a merit-based selection system. "It is about time we establish a proper committee, backed by law, to determine who should earn a national award," he added.
The awards, conferred by President Akufo-Addo during the 2024 Ghana National and State Awards ceremony, have sparked public outrage. Critics, including analysts and ordinary Ghanaians, have expressed dissatisfaction with the calibre of individuals honoured. Among the awardees were Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, NPP running mate Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Mavis Hawa Koomson, and several others.
The full list of recipients includes distinguished individuals from various sectors such as public service, education, health, creative arts, sports, and business. However, some of the selections have been labelled contentious, with critics questioning their contributions to national development.
Despite the recognition of various professionals and public servants, Mr Nketiah and other critics argue that the inclusion of certain political figures and individuals perceived to lack sufficient achievements tarnishes the awards’ integrity.
As the debate continues, many Ghanaians are calling for a thorough review of the awards process to ensure that future recipients reflect genuine merit and distinction.
Full List of Awardees:
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President of Ghana - Public Service
Order of the Star of Ghana - Member Awardees
Prof Ato Essuman - Education / Public Service
Nana Susubiribi Krobea Asante - Traditional Leadership / Public Service
Marcus Garvey - (Posthumous) Pan Africanism
Justice Anin Yeboah - Judiciary/Public Service
Sam Okudzeto - Law/Public Service
Akosua Frema Osei-Opare - Public Service
Dr Ernest Addison - Financial /Public Service
Order of the Volta - Companion Awardees
Ambassador Mercy Yvonne Debrah-Karikari - Public Service / Cabinet
Ibrahim Magassa - Public Service / Finance
Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu - Public Service
Order of the Volta - Member Awardees
Nana Kwasi Agyekum Dwamena - Public Service
Prof Paul Kwame Nyame - Health/Public Service
Dr James Orleans-Lindsay - Real Estate/Construction
Bright Appiah - Civil Society / Child Advocacy
Eric Ebo Acquah - Real Estate / Landscaping
Dr Richard Kwadwo Odor - Health / Public Service
Dr Kofi Nsiah Poku (Pharmacist) - Business/Health
Dr Stephen Saforo Yirenkyi - Spatial Planning/Public Service
Dr Patrick Bamph Owiredu - Health/Public Service
Kwaw Paintsil Ansah - Creative Arts
Erastus Asare Donkor - Media/Journalism
Margaret Anane-Agyei - Education/Counselor
Mercy Naa Aforwa Needjan - Market Development
Salma Salifu - Creative Arts / Fashion
Herbert A. Mensah - Sports Development
Yaw Debra Ofori - Education/ Advocacy
Kwesi A. Busia - Transport/Innovation
Dr Janet Ampadu Fofie - Public Service
Godfred Yeboah Dame - Public Service
Dr Mohammed Amin Adam - Public Service
Bryan Acheampong - Public Service
John Peter Amewu
Joe Osei Owusu - Public Service
Francis Asenso Boakye - Public Service
Samuel Abu Jinapor - Public Service
Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum - Public Service
Brig Gen Emmanuel Okyere - Public Service
Edward Asomani - Public Service
DCOP (Rtd) David Senanu Eklu - Public Service
Dr Joseph Kojo Tambil - Health
Prof Henry Nii Adziri Wellington - Architecture / Education/ Public Service
Prof E.H.K. Akaho - Science/Technology
Rev Prof Gilbert Ansre - Religion /Publishing
Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto - Public Service
Dominic Nitiwul - Public Service
Ambrose Dery - Public Service
Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh - Public Service
Ignatius Baffour Awuah - Public Service
Kwaku Ofori Asiamah - Public Service
Ursula Owusu-Ekuful - Public Service
Kwasi Amoako-Atta - Public Service
Dr Kwaku Afriyie - Public Service
Mavis Hawa Koomson
Grand Medal Awardees
Mariama Mahama - Education
Hajia Katumi Natogmah Attah - Education
Philippa Larsen - Education
Albert K. Frimpong - Sports
Ayishetu Adam - Sports
Dr Paul Kofi Fynn - Media / Media Education
Dr. Fareeda Adusei Wilson - Health / Public Service
Dr Nick Danso Abiam Adjei - Business /Entrepreneurship
Mrs Mawunyo Kuma Yakor-Dajbah - Advocacy
Dr Jemima Araba Dennis-Antwi - Health
Davies Narh Korboe - Public Service
Dr Evans Agbeme Dzikum - Public Service
DCFO (Rtd) Ahaji Richard Nuhu Gibril - Security Services
Gyedu Blay Ambolley - Creative Arts
Charles Kwadwo Fosu (Daddy Lumba) - Creative Arts
Alice Ofori-Atta - Public Service
Dr Edwin Alfred Nii Obodai Provencal - Public Service
Ekow Hackman - Public Service
Dr Richard Ampofo Boadu - Public Service
Dr Maxwell Opoku-Afari - Financial/Public Service
Mrs Elsie Addo Awadzi - Financial/ Public Service
Capt. Edmund Kojo Koda - Public Service
Dr Mustapha Hamid - Public Service
Mrs Irene Naa Torshie Addo-Lartey - Local Government / Public Service
Emmanuel Adumua Bossman - Public Service
Juliet Yaa Asantewaa Asante - Creative Arts