President John Dramani Mahama last Friday conferred a total of 33 National awards on 28 Ghanaians and five foreigners for their distinguished services in various disciplines of national development.

Out of the number, 15 personalities were honoured with "Companion of the Order of the Volta", five decorated with "Officer of the Order of the Volta", and 10 people with "Member of the Order of the Volta."

Two were honoured with Grand Medal, while one person was honoured posthumously.

Also in attendance was Vice President Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur.

Speaking at the function, President Mahama urged the youth generations to exhibit high level of selflessness in the execution of their national assignments and responsibilities.

He said there was the need to demonstrate the never-give-up spirit of the older generations, by being responsible and positive towards the achievement of the development goals of the country.

President Mahama urged the current generation to tap the experiences and expertise of the awardees in order to sustain the hard work that had enabled Ghana to reach its current stage.

Right Honourable Edward Doe Adjaho, Speaker of Parliament, who was also a recipient of the Companion of the order of the Volta, on behalf of his colleagues commended President Mahama for the recognition of their performance in public service.

"We are humbled by these honours and therefore want to thank President Mahama for recognising our contributions to the development of this country," he added.

He appealed to the youth to uphold their positions in high esteem and use that towards unity and development in the coming days.

Other recipients of the Companion of the Order of the Volta were; John Henry Martey Newman, Nana Ato Dadzie, Professor Kwesi Botchwey, Nana Kwame Akuoko Sarpong, Ato Kwamena Ahwoi, Joseph Henry Owusu Acheampong, Dr Kwabena Duffuor and John Sackah Addo.

The rest in that category were; Lieutenant General Peter Augustine Blay (Rtd), Paul Tawiah Quaye, Major General Joseph Narh Ainkrah (Rtd), Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan, Samuel Vilas-Akyianu and Colonel David Gbon Zanlerigu(Rtd).

Those in the Officer of the Order of the Volta were; Ambassador Chris Kpodo, Professor Raymond Bagulo Bening, Osei Tutu Prempeh, William Kwadwo Asiedu and Michael Kofi Bansah.

Recipients of the Member of the Order of the Volta were; Ambassador Agnes Aggrey-Orleans, Dr Uma Sen, Miss Mary Steele, Sophia Gifty Awotwi, Justice Stephen Allan Brobbey, Professor Justice Samuel Kofi Date-Bah, Woeli Kwaku Kemevor, Naa Alhaji Salifu Dakurah, Worlanyo Kwadjo Siabi and Henricus Johannes Maria Wienjes, Manfred Schroeder and Dr Christopher John Kirubi Ebs were awarded with Grand Medals of the Order of the Volta, while Dr Michael Roy Appiah was posthumously awarded the Grand Medal of the order of the Volta.

The programme was also attended by Ministers of State, Heads of some government institutions and family members of the awardees.