On Monday, December 30, 2024, distinguished Ghanaians were honoured for their outstanding contributions to national development at the 2024 National Honours and Awards ceremony held in Accra.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo presented the awards, recognizing individuals for their dedication, sacrifices, and service to the nation.
Among the recipients was Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who was conferred with the prestigious Order of the Star of Ghana – Officer Award, the highest honour of the year.
Dr Bawumia led a group of government officials and Members of Parliament who were recognized for their service, including Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, MP for Manhyia South, who received the Order of the Volta – Officer Award for his contributions to public service.
Other notable awardees included Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, and Dominic Nitiwul, along with several others, for their significant roles in governance and public administration.
The creative arts sector was also celebrated, with icons like Daddy Lumba, Gyedu Blay Ambolley, and Juliet Asante receiving awards for their exceptional contributions to music and the arts.
Order of the Volta – Member Awardees
Recipients of the Order of the Volta – Member Award included:
- Nana Kwasi Agyekum Dwamena (Public Service)
- Prof. Paul Kwame Nyame (Health/Public Service)
- Dr. James Orleans-Lindsay (Real Estate/Construction)
- Bright Appiah (Child Advocacy)
- Eric Ebo Acquah (Real Estate/Landscaping)
About the National Honours and Awards
Instituted in 1960 under the leadership of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the National Honours and Awards celebrate distinguished service and achievements across various fields. President Akufo-Addo expanded the awards in 2023 with the introduction of the Presidential Honours for Distinguished Service, which recognise contributions during critical moments such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Order of the Volta: Description and Classes
The Order of the Volta medal features a seven-pointed star symbolizing power and justice, awarded in three classes:
- Companion (CV): Gold medal for exceptional service.
- Officer (OV): Silver medal with gold accents.
- Member (MV): Silver medal for notable contributions.
Eligible fields include public service, education, health, arts, science, and commerce. The awards acknowledge significant contributions to Ghana’s progress and development.
The ceremony reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to honouring excellence and inspiring future generations to contribute to national growth.
