A Democracy and Development Fellow in Public Law and Justice at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare (popularly referred to as Kwaku Azar) has raised concerns over what he termed as the alarming desecration and politicization of the country’s coveted national award scheme.

In a scathing critique, the renowned constitutional and good governance advocate underscored the delicate balance between celebrating public service and safeguarding the sanctity of national awards.

Reflecting on the historical context, Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare recounted the origins of the Order of the Volta, one of Ghana’s highest honours, established by Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah in 1960.

He pointed out that during his six-year tenure as President, Nkrumah awarded it only once, to Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space.

“The rarity of this act underscored the prestige and exclusivity of the award, celebrating extraordinary achievements that transcended borders and inspired the nation.
“In recent years, however, presidents appear to use the award more liberally, often to honor their own appointees. This trend risks politicizing what should remain a national celebration of exceptional accomplishments. “
Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare, Democracy and Development Fellow in Public Law and Justice at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana)

Professor Asare articulated a nuanced perspective on the issue, acknowledging arguments both for and against bestowing national honours on presidential appointees.

Highlighting the arguments in favour of the move, the renowned academic noted that appointees, including ministers, often operate under intense pressure and contribute significantly to national development, asserting that recognizing their efforts could affirm exceptional service.

He further argued that honouring exemplary appointees can inspire a culture of excellence in public service while awards tied to measurable achievements may encourage appointees to deliver impactful outcomes for the nation. Also, Professor Asare pointed out that transformative achievements by appointees can unite and inspire the public.

Concerns Against

Turning his focus on the shortcomings of giving political appointees national awards, Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare indicated that such a move fuels the perception of bias, asserting that as the appointing authority, the President’s decision to honour appointees may seem partial.

He also disclosed that such awards might be perceived as acts of political favouritism, eroding their credibility. While national honours traditionally recognize extraordinary accomplishments beyond government roles, Professor Asare noted that extending them to appointees risks diminishing their prestige.

“These appointees already have access to resources, influence, and visibility. Their public service is part of their mandate, and alternative forms of acknowledgement may suffice”, he remarked. To address these concerns, Professor Asare proposed instituting a formal, transparent process for awarding national honours.

He advocated for the establishment of an independent body to evaluate nominations and ensure impartiality, as well as limiting awards for appointees to instances of transformative achievements that surpass their official duties.

“We should also limit awards for appointees to instances where their achievements significantly impact the nation, far exceeding their official duties and demonstrating exceptional leadership or innovation.
“If necessary, we can explore other means of celebrating ministers’ contributions, such as commendations or public acknowledgements, to preserve the sanctity of national awards”.
Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare, Democracy and Development Fellow in Public Law and Justice at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana)

To sum up, Professor Asare noted that while it is not inherently improper for a President to bestow national awards on appointees, doing so must be approached with transparency, impartiality, and respect for the original purpose of these honours.

He emphasized that safeguarding the prestige of national awards and maintaining public trust in governance should always take precedence, otherwise, the country risks diluting the prestige of these awards.

Bentil’s Blunt Critique

Echoing Professor Asare’s concerns, Kofi Bentil, a renowned legal practitioner and Senior Vice President of IMANI Centre for Policy and Education took a more critical stance, expressing dismay over the erosion of respect for national awards due to what he described as a lack of reflection in granting them.

“I blame those who award them without much reflection!” he stated emphatically. While he acknowledged the President’s prerogative to bestow awards, Kofi Bentil warned that these decisions could either enhance or tarnish the President’s reputation.

Reflecting on past administrations, he cited former President John Agyekum Kufuor’s controversial use of national awards, which, in his view, diminished their prestige and subjected the former leader to public ridicule.

Lawyer Kofi Bentil further underscored the public’s role in determining the legitimacy of awards, stating, “Awards don’t confer automatic respect; they rather reveal whether a person is respected or not by the wider community.”

He pointed out that deserving recipients of the 2024 national awards like journalist Erastus Asare Donkor earn widespread praise while undeserving honorees face criticism and scorn.