President Thomas Yayi Boni of Benin on behalf of the people and government of his country on Monday awarded President John Dramani Mahama "The Great Cross of the National Order of Benin. The award is the highest in the national awards and credentials of the Republic of Benin. The ceremony also formed part of President Mahama's two-day state visit to the Republic of Benin. Receiving the award, President Mahama commended the government and people of the West African State for inviting him to Benin and for the confidence they had reposed in Ghana over the years. He said his administration would strengthen all the political institutions that would give impetus and meaning to participatory democracy and decentralization in Ghana and beyond. President Mahama, who paid glowing tribute to his predecessors in Ghana, said although Ghana registered some political turbulence in the past, its recovery rate had been swift and admirable by her neighbors, which he said would continue to be the guiding principles of his administration. He said Ghana registered an unprecedented economic growth last year, as the fastest growing economy in the world and his administration would continue to place the right pillars and building blocks that would propel the economy to the middle income level in the coming years. President Mahama said the award would further buoy him up to put in the right structures that would elevate the Ghanaian and African economies in the succeeding years. The President dedicated the award to the people of Ghana for giving him the mandate for the next four years and pledged to fulfill all the campaign promises. On Ghana's ties with Benin, he said the two countries had historical socio-cultural and economic relations, which would be deepened by the two leaders for their mutual benefit. The programme was also witnessed by Mr Mahama Ayariga, Minister of Information and Media Relations, Mr Emmanuel Kofi Armah Buah, Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Nii Afotey Agbo, Volta Regional Minster, Mr Thomas Kwesi Quartey, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, among other personalities.