Following the Ghana National Honors and Awards ceremony, where President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo conferred honors on several individuals, including government appointees and ministers, social media has been buzzing with countless reactions.
Scores of critics have questioned the criteria for awarding these appointees, arguing that some of them did not demonstrate exceptional performance in their roles.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Member of Parliament-elect for Abura Asebu-Kwamankese constituency, is leading the backlash against these ‘undeserving appointees’ on social media.
In a post on December 30, 2024, the NDC MP cum spokesperson for the John Mahama Transition Team emphasised that it was unwarranted for Mavis Hawa Koomson, the MP for Awutu Senya East, to receive such a prestigious award.
He questioned whether her recognition was based on merit or handed out without considering her performance in her ministry.
“How does Hawa Koomson merit a national award? For what exactly?” he wrote.
Also expressing his displeasure over the awards, Henry Osei Akoto, a member of the NDC communications team, accused Akufo-Addo of using the ceremony to reward individuals from his own party.
“So, is Akufo now using state awards to reward his party's people? What kind of president kroaa is this?” he posted on X on December 30, 2024.
Echoing similar sentiments, other critics have pointed out that the performance of some award recipients should have been reflected in the votes they received during the recent general elections.
They argued that if these appointees had truly excelled in their roles, as the awards suggest, it would have been evident in the electoral outcomes.
The award ceremony, known as the Ghana National Awards, recognised individuals such as Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who received the ‘Order of the Star of Ghana, Officer’ award for his pivotal role in shaping Ghana’s economic policies and spearheading digital transformation initiatives.
Other awardees included Mavis Hawa Koomson (MP for Awutu Senya East), Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (MP for Manhyia South), Dr. Ernest Addison (Governor of the Bank of Ghana), and Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, among others.
Check out some of the posts below:
"To think that people like that [Hawa Koomson] will be awarded and recognized for what? Fisheries?"
— Joy 99.7 FM (@Joy997FM) December 31, 2024
- Franklin Cudjoe on National Honours and Awards. #JoySMS pic.twitter.com/7rL47X8R06
If you're the minister responsible for fishing and are leaving behind a subsector with the worst output growth among all 20 subsectors, as well as its lowest performance since Q4 2018, should you really accept the Order of the Volta? Similar questions could be raised for all the… pic.twitter.com/ss9IXshS1q
— Alfred (@CallmeAlfredo) December 31, 2024
So Akufo is now using state awards to reward his party people? What kind of president kroaa is this?
— Henry Osei Akoto (@HenryOseiAkoto_) December 30, 2024
How does Hawa Koomson merit a national award?
— Felix Kwakye Ofosu (@FelixKwakyeOfo1) December 30, 2024
For what exactly?
Maybe it’s just me but if these ministers were as outstanding in their jobs like the Order of the Volta award demands, it would have reflected somehow in how the votes went…or?
— Josh (@jampadu) December 30, 2024
Mahama must revoke the awards the thieves gave themselves. And award them to Erastus Asare Donkor
— Osagyefo Oliver Barker-Vormawor (@barkervogues) December 30, 2024
RECOVER ALL LOOT!! ALL LA!
Akufo-Addo gotta be kidding me. National honours for the people who collapsed the country? This man is really taking the piss.
— Ab. (@AbeikuLytle) December 30, 2024
After mismanaging the economy and suffering an embarrassing defeat in the 2024 Election, I wonder why Bawumia was so excited when he called to receive his award. 😂
— Mirpuri (@InterBoyTM) December 30, 2024
Wait! But how did Bawumia get awarded for 'national development?' This is proof that Akufo-Addo REWARDS FAILURE!!!
So, Kwame Nkrumah's prestigious 'Order of the Volta' was shared recklessly, like toffees handed out to npp party faithfuls who don't merit it. I'm still pained by this. May Ghana never experience a leader like Akufo Addo again.
— OBIBA JK (@obiba_jk2) December 31, 2024
If you're the minister responsible for fishing and are leaving behind a subsector with the worst output growth among all 20 subsectors, as well as its lowest performance since Q4 2018, should you really accept the Order of the Volta? Similar questions could be raised for all the… pic.twitter.com/ss9IXshS1q
— Alfred (@CallmeAlfredo) December 31, 2024
"To think that people like that [Hawa Koomson] will be awarded and recognized for what? Fisheries?"
— Joy 99.7 FM (@Joy997FM) December 31, 2024
- Franklin Cudjoe on National Honours and Awards. #JoySMS pic.twitter.com/7rL47X8R06
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