The Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Mr. Sulemana Braimah has delivered a scathing critique of the conferment of national awards under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration.
In his view, the exercise has become emblematic of the decline in governance standards, leaving the reputation and dignity of these awards in question.
Mr. Braimah began by expressing his deep disappointment with the current state of governance and the standards surrounding national awards.
According to him, what once served as a symbol of achievement and honor has now been severely diminished by President Akufo-Addo. He added;
“We had always complained about the bar of governance having been lowered prior to him [Akufo Addo], but I think that he came and has actually removed the bar and put it on the floor.’’
Mr. Sulemana Braimah Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)
He noted that efforts must now be made to “lift it again and begin to go up and up if it is possible.”
Highlighting the significance of national awards, Mr. Braimah argued that they should instill pride in recipients and symbolize genuine accomplishment. He remarked;
“There are people who would have received these awards yesterday and would go away telling themselves, ah, if I knew this was how it was going to be, if I knew all these other people were going to be awarded alongside, I possibly would have declined this.'”
Mr. Sulemana Braimah Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)
He emphasized that being awarded alongside questionable individuals could make some recipients regret their participation.
Mr. Braimah stressed the need to uphold public accountability in the selection process. He charged;
“Not to say I hate anyone or I dislike anyone, but there are legitimate questions to be asked. These are public awards conferred on people – and not private [awards].’’
Mr. Sulemana Braimah Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)
Mr. Braimah sharply criticized the inclusion of individuals whose track records, he argued, do not warrant national recognition. He cited;
“A minister who has presided over the destruction of water bodies, the significant destruction of the environment, to the extent that almost every major river in this country has been polluted. Lands has been grabbed, almost every state and public lands are gone. Our forest has been disseminated, completely destroyed. And at the end of this persons tenure, You say he deserves a national award? National awards for what? Environmental destruction?”
Mr. Sulemana Braimah Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)
Another major point of contention for Mr. Braimah was the inclusion of the Bank of Ghana Governor and the Finance Minister, who, according to him, presided over “the worst economic management of our country.” He questioned their inclusion in the list of honorees, asking pointedly;
“What has he done? A governor working with the finance minister who may have presided over the worst economic management of our country for perhaps since some of us became adults. Then at the end of the day, such a person deserves an honor?”
Mr. Sulemana Braimah Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)
The critique extended to other government programs, including the much-touted “One Village, One Dam” initiative.
Mr. Braimah described the program as wasteful and lacking in substance, questioning the president’s rationale for honoring a minister like Hawa Koomsoon, who wasted the state resources, while saying; “Were you expecting any meaningful dam with 250,000? ” Mr. Braimah lamented;
”So it’s okay to throw away 250,000 times whatever number of so-called dams that were dug. And at the end of the day, such a person is given a national award to glorify the non-performance.”
Mr. Sulemana Braimah Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)
Moreover, he questioned the success of the “Planting for Food and Jobs” program, labeling it as another failed initiative despite the massive financial investments.
Criticism of Governance and Loyalty Rewards
Mr. Braimah accused President Akufo-Addo of prioritizing personal loyalty over competence in the selection of awardees. He emphasized;
“Maybe that is the criteria. Who said ‘yes, sah, the more. Who was comporting the more, who was willing not to challenge the president the more.”
Mr. Sulemana Braimah Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)
He pointed to several ministers, including the Communications Minister and the agriculture minister, whose contributions he deemed unworthy of national recognition. He reiterated; “I hope that going forward, steps will be taken to ensure that the dignity of these awards will be restored.’’
He also expressed hope that these awards would no longer glorify mediocrity or non-performance but rather serve as a testament to excellence and genuine contributions to national development.
Mr. Braimah’s pointed remarks are a call for introspection, accountability, and reform in the governance processes surrounding national honors.
His critique sheds light on the broader issues of lowered governance standards and the erosion of public trust in state institutions.
