The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has criticized President Nana Akufo-Addo for the selection process of recipients for the recent National State Awards.
Speaking at the 43rd-anniversary celebration of the 31st December Revolution, Asiedu Nketiah questioned the credibility of the awards, claiming that some honourees were undeserving.
He accused the process of lacking transparency, which, he argued, diminishes the prestige of the conferral.
State awards serious business
“State honours are serious businesses. They must be reserved for people of distinction, people who have fought for a good cause.”
“If we award state honours to vigilante boys and girls, then that is what we are teaching the youth—that it is alright to pick weapons and shoot at people or loot state coffers when serving as a minister,” he stated.
Asiedu Nketiah urged the introduction of legislation to regulate the conferral of National and State Awards.
He emphasized the need for a law-backed committee to ensure transparency, fairness, and a merit-based system in selecting awardees.
