The Secretariat of the Ghana Ministers of State Excellence Honours has defended the credibility and independence of its awards programme, reaffirming its commitment to recognizing excellence, innovation and outstanding public service in Ghana.
In a statement issued following the sixth edition of the Ghana Ministers of State Excellence Honours, the Secretariat said the awards scheme remains one of the country’s leading platforms for acknowledging exceptional leadership, accountability and service within the public sector.
The statement comes at a time when the Presidency has directed ministers, chief executive officers of state institutions and other political appointees to refrain from participating in or accepting awards from private organizations without prior authorization from the Office of the President.
According to the Secretariat, the 2026 edition of the awards was held on June 6 at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra and brought together public officials, policymakers, development partners, members of the diplomatic community and other stakeholders.
The organizers stated that the awards were established to celebrate individuals and institutions whose work contributes significantly to national development and promotes a culture of accountability, innovation and excellence in governance.
Addressing concerns about the credibility of private awards schemes, the Secretariat emphasized that recognition under the Ghana Ministers of State Excellence Honours is neither influenced by sponsorship nor dependent on financial contributions from nominees or institutions.
“Recognition decisions under the Honours remain independent of stakeholder engagements associated with the organization of the programme,” the statement said.
The Secretariat explained that it routinely engages public institutions, development partners, professional bodies and state-owned enterprises whose mandates align with leadership, governance and national development objectives.
It noted that one such engagement involved the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), which it described as a key institution promoting accountability and good governance within the state sector. The Secretariat maintained that the engagement was undertaken in good faith and was not connected to the selection of award recipients.
According to the statement, the awards scheme has over the years recognized distinguished personalities from diverse political, academic and professional backgrounds. Past recipients include former Speaker of Parliament Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, educationist Prof. Joshua Alabi, former Chief of Staff Hon. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, and several other prominent national figures.
The Secretariat said the diversity of awardees reflects its longstanding philosophy of celebrating excellence wherever it is found.
Among the recipients recognized during the 2026 edition was Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, who received the Overall Best Minister of the Year award in recognition of what organizers described as his leadership and contributions to Ghana’s economic management and reform efforts.
Several ministers, chief executives, public institutions and public servants were also honoured for their contributions to national development.
The Secretariat stressed that public service remains one of the most demanding responsibilities in national life and that recognizing exceptional performance can help promote innovation, strengthen public confidence and encourage effective service delivery.
It reaffirmed its commitment to celebrating individuals and institutions whose achievements contribute to building a stronger, more prosperous and resilient Ghana.
“As the platform looks toward future editions, it remains guided by its founding mission of celebrating individuals and institutions whose contributions help shape a stronger, more prosperous, and more resilient Ghana,” the statement concluded.
Source :www.kumasimail.com
