In a prestigious ceremony held at the Accra International Conference Centre on Monday, December 30, 2024, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo bestowed national honours on an array of distinguished individuals for their exceptional contributions to Ghana’s development across public service, creative arts, education, health, and journalism.
The event attracted high-profile attendees, including Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, ministers of state, members of Parliament, and notable figures from various professional sectors.
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia received the highest civilian honour, the Order of the Star of Ghana—Officer Awardee, in recognition of his dedicated public service during his eight-year tenure.
The award highlighted his leadership in steering economic policies and digitisation efforts in Ghana.
Speaking at the event, President Akufo-Addo commended Dr. Bawumia’s unwavering commitment to national progress, saying, “Dr. Bawumia’s service to Ghana has been marked by diligence and innovation. His contributions to digitisation have transformed key sectors of our economy.”
Read also: Dr. Bawumia Receives Ghana’s Highest Honour at 2024 National Honours Ceremony – Pure TV Online
Renowned journalist Erastus Asare Donkor of JoyNews received the Order of the Volta (Membership) Award, the second-highest honour, for his fearless investigative reporting. Donkor’s exposés on illegal mining activities and environmental degradation earned him national recognition for his role in safeguarding Ghana’s natural resources.
President Akufo-Addo lauded his efforts, stating, “Through your journalism, you have held power to account and championed the fight against illegal mining. Your work has been instrumental in driving meaningful change.”
Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, MP for Manhyia South and Dr. Bawumia’s running mate in the 2024 elections, was awarded the Order of the Volta—Officer Awardee for his contributions to education and public service.
Additional awardees in the public service category included:
- Ignatius Baffour Awuah – Labour and Employment
- Ursula Owusu-Ekuful – Communication and Digitalisation
- Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto – Agriculture
- Dominic Nitiwul – Defence
- Ambrose Dery – Interior
Prominent figures in the creative arts were also recognised for their exceptional contributions to Ghanaian culture:
- Kwaw Ansah—renowned filmmaker and cultural advocate
- Daddy Lumba (Charles Kwadwo Fosu) – Legendary highlife musician
- Gyedu Blay Ambolley – Pioneer of Afro-jazz and highlife music
- Juliet Asante—film producer and advocate for creative industries
The Grand Medal was awarded to outstanding individuals for their service in education, health, sports, and other sectors. Notable recipients included:
- Dr. Fareeda Adusei Wilson – Contributions to healthcare and public service
- Mariama Mahama—Dedication to education
- Albert K. Frimpong – Contributions to sports development
- Gyedu Blay Ambolley – Outstanding creative arts contributions
In his address, President Akufo-Addo highlighted the importance of recognising and celebrating contributions that advance the nation. “The honourees we celebrate today embody the values of hard work, sacrifice, and innovation that are critical to Ghana’s growth and development,” he said.
The ceremony concluded with a commitment to fostering excellence and inspiring future generations to contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s progress.