The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has criticized President Nana Akufo-Addo for conferring state awards on ministers who, in his view, did not deserve them.

“We have started conferring state honours on looters and murderers. What are we doing? We are teaching the youth that there is nothing wrong with looting state coffers and that it is acceptable to shoot and kill fellow Ghanaians. If anyone had any doubt about the brain behind all the killings and looting that has taken place over the past eight years, I believe the award ceremony that took place yesterday has cleared all doubt. All the wrongdoings that occurred, all the wrong things committed by Nana Addo's appointees, were endorsed by the big man himself,” he alleged.

According to Asiedu Nketia, state awards should be given to those who have played significant roles in a nation's development, not to individuals of no distinction, such as the outgoing Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East Constituency, Hawa Koomson.

“Why would anyone with their head properly screwed on award someone like Hawa Koomson, who shot and killed Ghanaians during an election?” he said.

“State awards are serious business. They must be reserved for people of distinction, individuals who have fought for a good cause. If we award state honours to vigilante boys and girls, we are teaching the youth that it is acceptable to pick up weapons and shoot at people. We are teaching them that it is okay to loot state coffers when given the opportunity to serve as a minister.” he added.

Mr Nketia, speaking at the NDC’s 43rd anniversary of the December 31st Revolution in Nungua, Accra, on Tuesday, suggested that a committee be set up in the future to decide who truly deserves the country’s honours.

“I want to suggest to the rest of Ghanaians that it is about time we establish a proper committee, backed by law, to help determine who should receive a national award,” he said.

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