President Akufo-Addo honours Marcus Garvey and Ghanaian luminaries

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has posthumously conferred the Order of the Star of Ghana, Member, on Marcus Garvey, the celebrated Jamaican black nationalist and Pan-Africanist.
This honour recognizes Garvey’s enduring contributions to black nationalism and the global Pan-African movement.
Speaking at the National Honours and Awards 2024 in Accra, President Akufo-Addo emphasized Garvey’s legacy, saying, “Garvey’s Pan-African ideals continue to resonate deeply, urging us to unite as global Africans and take charge of our destiny. His legacy is a clarion call for us to carry forward their unfinished work.”
Garvey (August 17, 1887 – June 10, 1940) dedicated his life to promoting African consciousness and founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in 1914.
His Pan-African ideals significantly influenced Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, inspiring the country’s historic fight for independence in 1957, making Ghana the first sub-Saharan African nation to gain sovereignty.

National honours programme
Established in 1960, the National Honours and Awards programme celebrates Ghanaians who excel in various fields of national development.
It recognizes creativity, innovation, excellence, and hard work across different sectors.
The 2024 ceremony highlighted remarkable achievements in categories including the Order of the Volta, Member; Order of the Volta, Companion; Order of the Star of Ghana, Member; Order of the Star of Ghana, Officer; Grand Medal; and Presidential Honours for Distinguished Service.
More than 60 individuals and institutions were recognized for their contributions to various fields, underscoring the breadth of Ghana’s development efforts.

Institutional recognitions
Prominent institutions such as the United Nations Development Programme, China-Africa Development Fund, International Organisation for Migration, Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Prisons Service, and Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences were honoured for their exceptional service.

Presidential address
President Akufo-Addo highlighted the significance of the awards, stating, “Each award is a story, a story of commitment and love for Ghana. This ceremony celebrates the human spirit, recognizing ordinary people who achieve extraordinary things.”

He expressed gratitude to the recipients for their contributions, adding, “It is about saying thank you to those who remind us that no matter the challenges we face, we can overcome them with courage, determination, and love for our country.”

Dignitaries present
The event was graced by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and other dignitaries, underscoring its importance in celebrating the individuals and institutions driving Ghana’s progress.

Order of the Star of Ghana – Officer Awardee

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President of Ghana – Public Service

Order of the Star of Ghana – Member Awardees

Prof Ato Essuman – Education / Public Service
Nana Susubiribi Krobea Asante – Traditional Leadership / Public Service
Marcus Garvey – (Posthumous) Pan Africanism
Justice Anin Yeboah – Judiciary/Public Service
Sam Okudzeto – Law/Public Service
Akosua Frema Osei-Opare – Public Service
Dr Ernest Addison – Financial /Public Service

Order of the Volta – Companion Awardees

Ambassador Mercy Yvonne Debrah-Karikari – Public Service / Cabinet
Ibrahim Magassa – Public Service / Finance
Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu – Public Service

Order of the Volta – Member Awardees

Nana Kwasi Agyekum Dwamena – Public Service
Prof Paul Kwame Nyame – Health/Public Service
Dr James Orleans-Lindsay – Real Estate/Construction
Bright Appiah – Civil Society / Child Advocacy
Eric Ebo Acquah – Real Estate / Landscaping
Dr Richard Kwadwo Odor – Health / Public Service
Dr Kofi Nsiah Poku (Pharmacist) – Business/Health
Dr Stephen Saforo Yirenkyi – Spatial Planning/Public Service
Dr Patrick Bamph Owiredu – Health/Public Service
Kwaw Paintsil Ansah – Creative Arts
Erastus Asare Donkor – Media/Journalism
Margaret Anane-Agyei – Education/Counselor
Mercy Naa Aforwa Needjan – Market Development
Salma Salifu – Creative Arts / Fashion
Herbert A. Mensah – Sports Development
Yaw Debra Ofori – Education/ Advocacy
Kwesi A. Busia – Transport/Innovation
Dr Janet Ampadu Fofie – Public Service
Godfred Yeboah Dame – Public Service
Dr Mohammed Amin Adam – Public Service
Bryan Acheampong – Public Service
John Peter Amewu
Joe Osei Owusu – Public Service
Francis Asenso Boakye – Public Service
Samuel Abu Jinapor – Public Service
Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum – Public Service
Brig Gen Emmanuel Okyere – Public Service
Edward Asomani – Public Service
DCOP (Rtd) David Senanu Eklu – Public Service
Dr Joseph Kojo Tambil – Health
Prof Henry Nii Adziri Wellington – Architecture / Education/ Public Service
Prof E.H.K. Akaho – Science/Technology
Rev Prof Gilbert Ansre – Religion /Publishing
Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto – Public Service
Dominic Nitiwul – Public Service
Ambrose Dery – Public Service
Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh – Public Service
Ignatius Baffour Awuah – Public Service
Kwaku Ofori Asiamah – Public Service
Ursula Owusu-Ekuful – Public Service
Kwasi Amoako-Atta – Public Service
Dr Kwaku Afriyie – Public Service
Mavis Hawa Koomson

Order of the Volta – Officer Awardees

DCOP (RTD.) David Senanu Eklu – Public Service
Prof Dr Ing Henry Nii Adziri Wellington – Architecture/ Education/ Public Service
Rev Prof Gilbert Ansre – Religion/ Publishing
Dominic Bingab Aduna Nitiwul – Public Service
Dr Joseph Kojo Tambil – Health
Prof E.H.K. Akaho – Science/ Technology
Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto – Public Service
Ambrose Dery – Public Service

Grand Medal Awardees
Mariama Mahama – Education
Hajia Katumi Natogmah Attah – Education
Philippa Larsen – Education
Albert K. Frimpong – Sports
Ayishetu Adam – Sports
Dr Paul Kofi Fynn – Media / Media Education
Dr Fareeda Adusei Wilson – Health / Public Service
Dr Nick Danso Abiam Adjei – Business /Entrepreneurship
Mrs Mawunyo Kuma Yakor-Dajbah – Advocacy
Dr Jemima Araba Dennis-Antwi – Health
Davies Narh Korboe – Public Service
Dr Evans Agbeme Dzikum – Public Service
DCFO (Rtd) Ahaji Richard Nuhu Gibril – Security Services
Gyedu Blay Ambolley – Creative Arts
Charles Kwadwo Fosu (Daddy Lumba) – Creative Arts
Alice Ofori-Atta – Public Service
Dr Edwin Alfred Nii Obodai Provencal – Public Service
Ekow Hackman – Public Service
Dr Richard Ampofo Boadu – Public Service
Dr Maxwell Opoku-Afari – Financial/Public Service
Mrs Elsie Addo Awadzi – Financial/ Public Service
Capt. Edmund Kojo Koda – Public Service
Dr Mustapha Hamid – Public Service
Mrs Irene Naa Torshie Addo-Lartey – Local Government / Public Service
Emmanuel Adumua Bossman – Public Service
Juliet Yaa Asantewaa Asante – Creative Arts