Presidential Spokesperson and The Minister of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu has stated that government has no involvement in the organisation, financing or endorsement of awards presented to ministers and public officials. Speaking during parliamentary proceedings on Thursday, Honourable Kwakye stressed that such recognition schemes are entirely private initiatives with no state backing.
He explained that public officials who engage in such programmes do so on a voluntary basis. The Presidential Spokesperson added that the state neither supervises selection processes nor influences outcomes of the awards.
“As far as the government is concerned, these awards are voluntary in nature. They are private sector activities and government does not endorse them in any way shape or form.”
Honourable Felix Kwakye Ofosu
Honourable Kwakye recalled that invitations to similar award events have circulated over several years, including during his tenure as Deputy Minister for Information between 2013 and 2016. He noted that these practices have persisted across different administrations without any official government role.
The Minister of Government Communications further indicated that the current awards progamme under discussion has been in existence for about six years. Transitioning to institutional actions, he referenced a communication issued through the Secretary to the President which cautioned political appointees against participation in such schemes.
The Presidential Spokesperson explained that the directive from the Presidency was intended to guide conduct within public service and safeguard reputational standards. He added that private organisers remain free to operate their programmes without state interference.
Honourable Kwakye emphasised during parliamentary proceedings on Thursday 11th June 2026 that government structures are not linked to the awards in any formal capacity. He stressed that the separation between public duty and private recognition must remain clear.
The Minister of Government Communications reiterated that participation in any awards scheme depends entirely on personal choice. The Presidential Spokesperson noted that the Presidency’s caution seeks to ensure that appointees maintain professional distance from external recognition schemes.
Government Rejects Allegations of Payment In Award Schemes
Presidential Spokesperson and The Minister of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu rejected claims suggesting that ministers paid money to receive awards, stating that no evidence supports such assertions.
Honourable Kwakye addressed public commentary linking the awards to possible financial inducement. He stressed that such claims remain unverified and cannot be treated as established fact.
“Mr Speaker, there is no evidence that any minister paid for any award. Government was not part of the organisation and was not informed of such arrangements.”
Honourable Felix Kwakye Ofosu
The Minister of Government Communications referred to remarks attributed to Professor Kwaku Asare of SIGA, who reportedly declined a request involving a payment of fifty thousand cedis. He explained that the account does not provide grounds to conclude that similar payments were made by public officials.
Honourable Kwakye further stated that responsibility for award arrangements rests entirely with private entities. He added that government cannot be associated with decisions taken outside official state structures.
The Presidential Spokesperson noted that public officials are expected to exercise caution when engaging with external recognition programmes. He emphasised that existing guidelines already discourage participation in activities that could raise questions of propriety.
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