The ceremony is designed to reward creativity, innovation, hard work and excellence across a broad spectrum of national achievements including business, academia, medication, healthcare, education, public service, private enterprise, sports, religion, judiciary, civil society, media, traditional authority, arts and culture.

The national honours award was instituted by Dr Kwame Nkrumah 48 years ago after Ghana became a republic on July 1, 1960. However, the award scheme suffered neglect by some subsequent governments until the year 2006 when President John Akyekum Kufuor reinstituted the awards. In his address, President Kufuor reiterated the importance of the awards saying that rewarding individuals who have contributed exceptionally to the development of Ghana would serve as examples for others to follow.

President Kufuor added that the past 7 years of his government had witnessed improvement in the standards of living of Ghanaians, economic growth, improved infrastructure, improved agriculture and enhanced social services particularly in education and healthcare. He therefore called on Ghanaians to make the best out of the prevailing conditions to excel in their numerous fields of life.

Prior to the ceremony, this year’s awards was riddled with a lot of talks about the large number and choice of honourees, as well as the President’s decision to reward himself with the newly created award division. President Kufuor explained that he created the Grand Order of the Stars and Eagles, Ghana’s highest award because he believes that the high office of the presidency deserves such eminence. He added that henceforth every President would be decorated with the Order by the Chief Justice on assumption of office, and on leaving office; he would be given a replica of the Order.

The President also justified his decision to decorate Vice President Aliu Mahama and Nana Akufo Addo with Order of the Star Companion. He also made special mention of the contributions of Baroness Valerie Ann Amos, French Ambassador Pierre Jaquemoix and US Ambassador Pamela Bridge-Water as development partners. These individuals were decorated with Order of the Volta Companion. For their commitments toward peace efforts, traditional authority and public services.

Some Ministers of State and Members of Parliament were also rewarded for their dedicated public service.

President Kufuor urged Ghanaians not to lose focus but rather reach out to help in national development regardless or religion, tribe, social class, or political affiliation. He promised to work towards leaving a legacy of peace and unity and therefore called on honourees to champion peace and unity. He also said that the awards should spur them on to greater achievements.

Some of the honourees for the Grand Medal honours included Adwoa Bayor, Aberta Anim, E.K Afrane, Joseph Agbeko, Efo Kojo Mawubge, Grace Nortey and Fred Amugi. Order of the Volta Companion honourees included Margaret Nwanakatwe, Issa Hayatou, Courage Quashigah, and Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom. There were also honourees in the Order of the Volta Member, Order of the Volta Officer, and Order of the Star Member categories. Chief Justice Georgina Woods later decorated President Kufuor with the Grand Order of the Stars and Eagles and brought the ceremony to an end.

Leading members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who were listed for the awards, including Prof Evans Mills their flag bearer were conspicuously absent. Weeks earlier, the NDC indicated that they would not accept the awards because of some unfriendly and unfair actions of the Kufuor administration.