The conferral of national awards, a practice intended to recognize exceptional contributions and inspire national pride, has become a subject of debate in Ghana, sparked by recent decisions of President Nana Akufo-Addo to bestow such honors upon himself, his Vice President, government ministers, and other political appointees. This practice, according to US-based Ghanaian legal scholar Professor Kwaku Asare, also known as Kwaku Azar, risks politicizing an institution meant to celebrate extraordinary achievements and inspire the nation. He argues that the increasing frequency with which these awards are granted, particularly to individuals within the current administration, dilutes their significance and raises concerns about potential bias and political motivations.
Professor Asare contrasts the current approach with the more judicious practices of Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah, who reserved the prestigious Order of the Volta for truly exceptional individuals, like Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space. This historical precedent, he argues, underscores the intended exclusivity and high standards associated with national honors. The current trend, where awards seemingly serve to recognize political loyalty or contributions within a specific administration, deviates significantly from this original intent, potentially transforming these symbols of national achievement into mere instruments of political patronage.
While acknowledging arguments in favor of recognizing the contributions of government appointees through national awards, Professor Asare emphasizes the potential pitfalls of such a practice. Proponents suggest that awarding those in public service can acknowledge their significant contributions to national development and potentially inspire others to strive for excellence in their respective roles. However, the inherent conflict of interest when the same individuals bestowing the awards are also the recipients, or closely associated with the recipients, undermines the integrity of the process and casts a shadow of doubt on the true merit of the awards.
The central concern revolves around the perception of bias and the potential erosion of public trust in the national awards system. When awards are perceived as rewards for political allegiance rather than genuine merit, their value diminishes, and the intended message of national unity and recognition of exceptional achievement becomes muddied. This can lead to cynicism and a devaluation of the honors themselves, ultimately impacting the motivation for individuals to strive for excellence in service to the nation.
To address these concerns and restore the integrity of the national awards system, Professor Asare proposes the establishment of an independent body responsible for vetting nominations. This independent entity, removed from the direct influence of the executive branch, would provide a more objective and impartial assessment of each nominee’s merits. Such a structure would ensure that the selection process is based on clear criteria and free from political considerations, thus safeguarding the prestige and significance of the national honors.
By establishing an independent vetting process, Ghana can move towards a more credible and transparent system for recognizing exceptional achievements. This would not only strengthen the value of national awards but also reinforce the importance of meritocracy and service to the nation, inspiring future generations to strive for excellence without the taint of political favoritism. This reform, as advocated by Professor Asare, represents a crucial step towards restoring public trust and ensuring that national honors truly reflect the highest ideals of the nation.
