US-based Ghanaian legal scholar, Stephen Kwaku Asare, popularly known as Kwaku Azar, has called for an independent body to vet nominations for national awards in Ghana.
This comes after President Nana Akufo-Addo decided to award national honors to himself, his Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Ministers, and other appointees.
In a social media post on Monday, December 30, Kwaku Azar expressed concerns over what he described as the “liberal” approach to awarding national honors in recent years, particularly to presidential appointees.
He argued that such practices risk politicizing awards meant to celebrate extraordinary achievements that inspire the nation.
Citing historical precedent, he noted that Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah, awarded the prestigious Order of the Volta sparingly, highlighting the example of Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space.
According to him, this rarity underscored the exclusivity and significance of such honors.
“Presidents appear to use the award more liberally, often to honor their own appointees,” he wrote. “This trend risks politicizing what should remain a national celebration of exceptional accomplishments.”
Kwaku Azar acknowledged arguments in favor of awarding appointees, including the recognition of their significant contributions to national development and the potential to inspire excellence in public service.
However, he raised concerns about the perception of bias, political patronage, and the risk of devaluing the awards’ prestige.
To address these issues, he proposed establishing an independent body to assess nominations and ensure impartiality.
“We should consider establishing an independent body to assess nominations, eliminating the potential for executive influence and maintaining impartiality,” he stressed.
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