Mr Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, Minister of Information and National-Orientation on Friday urged Ghanaians to refrain from "doing politics with Prof. Evans Atta-Mills' nomination" for the nation's highest award, saying nominees are awarded strictly on merit. He said he was not in the position to tell whether or not Professor Atta-Mills' nomination, which has generated so much controversy in the political and the media circles, would finally be given the thumps up, until President Kufuor returns from his trip outside the country. Mr Asamoah-Boateng was addressing a meeting with Information Officers and staff as well as Municipal and District Chief Executives in Brong-Ahafo. The purpose of the meeting was to familiarise himself with the operations of the Information Service Department in the region and to interact with its staff. The Minister said it was not the intention of the NPP government to score political points with the award "but was doing so. strictly as a matter of principle". "He (Prof Mills) would be awarded if he deserves it. I cannot say whether he would be neglected or would be included among the list of those to be awarded until the President is back from his trips. "As at now, no decision has been taken on the date for this national award programme. It could be before Christmas or next year in January or February", he stated. Mr Asamoah-Boateng appealed to the officers to be focused as they go about disseminating information on government policies and asked them to undertake this duty devoid of political "colourisation". The Minister also urged them to build strong relationship with their subordinates, while seeking clarification from their Municipal/District Chief Executives on any issue, which they were not clear about so that they can give accurate information on current issues. He promised to restore other incentives in the service to the workers, provided they work hard and support the government's development agenda. Mr Asamoah-Boateng urged MCEs and DCEs to collaborate with the security agencies to arrest private Information Service Officers who operate without licences in the region. Source: GNA