Whilst this year’s national awards has been dogged by controversies with some nominees rejecting the awards, people such as Agya Koo say they are grateful to the president for the honour. The former president, Mr. Jerry John Rawlings and a former national security adviser, Mr. Kojo Tsikata have indicated they will not receive the awards. An Aide to Mr. Rawlings, Kofi Adams told Joy News on Monday, June 23, 2008, that the former president was not happy with the failure of government to find and prosecute the killers of the former King of Dagbon and Alhaji Issah Mobila, CPP Chairman. Mr. Kojo Tsikata also in a statement said he will not accept any honours from president Kufuor and his cronies whom he claims are blatantly and cynically engaged in the manipulation of the judicial system. However other nominees are excited about the honour conferred on them. Popular comedian and Ghanaian Movie star, Kofi Adu alias Agya Koo told Joy FM through a translator that he deserved the award. He said he has contributed tremendously to the development of the movie industry in the country. “I am very excited to have been nominated because it is not easy to get it” he said. Agya Koo said the decision showed that the current government recognised the contribution of actors and actresses to the Ghanaian movie industry. The owner of King Faisal football club Alhaji Abdul Kareem Grunsah said the president’s decision was informed by his (Grunsah's) effort in the development of football in the country. He said bringing a colt’s team to the premier league was no mean achievement. Alhaji Grunsah expressed appreciation to the president for the honour. Story by Malik Abass Daabu