Editorial: Mahama’s Award Ban Directive Sends The Right Signal

President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to bar ministers, Chief Executive Officers of state institutions and other political appointees from accepting awards from private organisations without prior approval from the Presidency could not have come at a more appropriate time.

The directive, issued on June 8, 2026 is intended to protect the integrity of public service and curb the growing trend of public officials receiving honours from organisations whose credibility, assessment criteria and selection processes are often difficult to verify. It is a decision that deserves commendation.

The directive came barely days after the 6th Ghana Ministers of State Excellence Honours in Accra, where several government officials were recognised for their performance. Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson was named Overall Best Performing Minister, Greater Accra Regional Minister Linda Ocloo received the Best Regional Minister award, while Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah was adjudged Best Performing Male Minister.

There is nothing inherently wrong with recognising public officials who demonstrate excellence in office. Public service can be demanding, and achievements should be acknowledged. However, the timing and context of such awards matter.

Ghana continues to face serious challenges that remain unresolved. Illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, continues to threaten major water bodies, destroy forests and undermine environmental sustainability. Despite intensified government efforts and arrests, many Ghanaians remain concerned about the pace of progress and the long-term damage already inflicted on the country’s natural resources.

The issue becomes even more pronounced when officials responsible for sectors battling persistent challenges are honoured as outstanding performers. While recognition may be based on measurable achievements within a ministry, public perception is often shaped by outcomes that directly affect people’s lives.

The Greater Accra Region, for example, continues to battle annual flooding that leaves homes submerged, businesses disrupted and lives at risk whenever heavy rains occur. Residents have repeatedly called for lasting solutions to drainage challenges, indiscriminate development and poor waste management. Yet, amid these unresolved concerns, the region’s political leadership is being celebrated for excellence.

Similarly, transportation challenges remain a daily reality for thousands of commuters. Long waiting times, overcrowded public transport, inadequate fleet capacity and traffic congestion continue to affect productivity and quality of life. It is, therefore, understandable that some citizens may question awards given to officials in sectors where significant problems remain visible.

The concern is not necessarily that the award recipients have done nothing worthy of recognition. Rather, it is whether enough has been achieved to justify public celebration at a time when citizens continue to experience the consequences of unresolved policy and service delivery failures.

President Mahama’s directive acknowledges a broader concern that has existed for years. Ghana has witnessed a proliferation of awards schemes, many of which offer little transparency regarding their nomination procedures, assessment methods or judging standards. In some cases, awards appear to be based more on publicity than on rigorous evaluation.

Public office is not a popularity contest. The true measure of performance should be reflected in improved living conditions, stronger institutions and effective service delivery. Awards can complement that assessment, but they should never replace it.

The President’s directive, therefore, sends an important message: recognition must be credible, earned and subjected to scrutiny. More importantly, public officials should remain focused on solving national problems rather than collecting plaques and citations.

Ultimately, the most meaningful award any public servant can receive is the confidence of the citizens they serve. That confidence is earned not at banquet halls or award ceremonies, but through cleaner rivers, flood-resilient communities, efficient public transport, stable economic conditions and visible improvements in people’s daily lives.

Until those outcomes are consistently achieved, restraint in accepting accolades may be the wisest course of action.

 

 

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