The President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has criticised President Nana Akufo-Addo over the 2024 National Honours, describing it as unnecessary and a waste of time.
He has acknowledged that awards are good, however, they should be given to people who actually deserve them.
“Awards are good but national awards must go to rare people. Dr Kwame Nkrumah gave only one award within the six years of his regime but successive governments have now made it a child’s play.
“Politician now want to be rewarding themselves when leaving office. Kufuor did same and that affected his legacy because he didn’t merit it due to the scandals that marred the end of his administration,” he said.
Mr Cudjoe is of the view that given the hardships Ghanaians have endured under the Akufo-Addo-led government, the event shouldn’t have even been held.
He made these remarks on Adom FM Dwaso Nsem while expressing disappointment in some of the recipients of the honourary awards.
Mr Cudjoe also demanded the criteria for the selection of the recipients as he questioned their contribution towards national development.
“Monday’s event should have been suspended. I don’t know what benchmark they used to give the awards especially Akufo-Addo’s people. I don’t know what they did; a few individuals should have been awarded and not any politician because I don’t think they deserved it including himself[Akufo-Addo]. They just wasted our money,” he fumed.
For him, politicians, particularly Communication Minister; Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hawa Koomsom, Housing Minister, Francis Asenso-Boakye and Lands Minister, Abu Jinapor did not deserve the awards.
“I don’t know what Asenso Boakye has done, Abu Jinapor, Hawa Koomson; another terrible one, gun wielding woman. It creates the impression that women can get into politics and become thugs. She[Hawa Koomson] was the minister for special initiatives a lot of monies were wasted but what did she do?
“Look at Ursula; someone who insults and doesn’t respect. Look at what she did with Kelni DVG Addison is a good guy but you don’t reward people based on that; anybody at Bank of Ghana is not deserving of any award. Only a few of them were deserving. It was a total waste of time and money,” he stated.
The award was given on Monday, December 30, 2024, to several individuals and institutions in recognition of their significant contribution to the national development, particularly in the media landscape.
The outgoing Vice President of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, ministers of State and other outstanding private individuals were decorated by President Akufo-Addo.
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