It is ridiculous to give Bawumia the highest award after election defeat- Angela Dwamena-Aboagye

The Executive Director of The Ark Foundation and Chairperson of the Civic Forum Initiative, Angela Dwamena-Aboagye, has raised concerns about the decision to award Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the country’s highest national honour following his significant electoral loss. She described the gesture as a potential source of ridicule.

Dr. Bawumia, the NPP’s presidential candidate in the 2024 general election, received the “Order of the Star of Ghana—Officer Award” during the 2024 National Honours event held on Monday, December 30, at the Accra International Conference Centre. The award recognised his efforts in promoting religious tolerance and fostering national unity.

Speaking on JoyNews’ flagship program, Newsfile, Dr. Dwamena-Aboagye expressed mixed feelings about the awards ceremony. While commending the recognition of some deserving individuals, she voiced her disappointment regarding honours conferred on certain government appointees amidst public criticism.

“When people are assessing you, especially in the time we were in when the elections had happened, there’s a massive vote against you, and you keep awarding appointee after appointee. Even if they deserved it, I think that the optics were not good, the underpinnings, the partisanship behind it,” she stated.

Dr. Dwamena-Aboagye questioned the criteria used for awarding the honours, suggesting a lack of inclusivity. “So, is there nobody deserving of an award who expresses an opposite view from yours, even though the person is also a citizen?” she queried.

Her most pointed criticism was directed at the decision to honour Dr. Bawumia so soon after his electoral defeat. Despite acknowledging his accomplishments, she argued that the timing of the award undermined its significance and might even embarrass him.

“Nobody doubts that Dr. Bawumia is a very accomplished person, his persona, his everything. I even heard he has an international appointment already. But when you give him the highest award when he has just lost massively, I mean, you put him into ridicule,” she concluded.

The awards event, held annually, celebrates individuals and organisations for their contributions to Ghana’s development. However, this year’s edition has drawn widespread scrutiny, particularly regarding the political undertones of some recognitions.

The conferment of the “Order of the Star of Ghana” on Dr. Bawumia has sparked debate among the public. While supporters view it as a well-deserved recognition of his service to the nation, critics have described it as a politically motivated act that undermines the credibility of national honours.

As the conversation unfolds, Dr. Dwamena-Aboagye’s remarks add to the broader discourse on the need for transparency and non-partisanship in national recognitions.