Republic of Ghana

[IVB]

The Grand Order of the Star and Eagles of Ghana

The Order of the Star and Eagles of Ghana created by President John Kufour in 23 June 2008. This order becames the highest national decoration.

There was significant criticism to the Order's creation. Some suggested it was inappropriate for such an Order with such limited members to be the highest in the land. Others have suggested this is simple a vanity title for the outgoing President and comparisons have been made to african dictators who gave themselves titles (such as Idi Amin).

Others have suggested that the Order is illegal as it was instituted by executive ordinance rather than be a parliamentary motion. It is questionable as to weather or not the President is legally allowed to create such an order Although the President is "fount of honour" (in that all honours flow from the president, similar to the British model where all honours flow from the Queen) it is debatable as to weather or not the President has the authority to simply create a new order.

[IVB]

President J.A. Kufuor becomes the first Ghanaian Head of State to be honoured with Grand Order of the Star and Eagles of Ghana

[James Hoard]

Thanks for the information and images.

I gather that there was also a storm over the cost of the design and creation of the insignia. However, the end result does not seem to be all that impressive.

Presumably the next chap who comes in as President could simply relegate the order down the order of precedence and negate Kufour's effort.

James

[stephenmiller]

Any photos and info on other Ghanaian orders and decorations to post?

[ilja559]

http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/News...ay.php?ID=59072

[IVB]

And some more online sources:

http://www.coleccionesmilitares.com/cintas/africa/ghana.gif

http://www.medals.org.uk/ghana/ghana.htm

http://www.wawards.narod.ru/afrika/gan/gan.html

http://www.liverpoolmedals.com/products-ca....html?ctid=2303

http://www.mofep.gov.gh/award070708.htm

http://sakyi-addo.com/

http://www.ambafrance-gh.org/spip.php?article1224

http://www.modernghana.com/news/171287/1/m...st-rescind.html

http://www.ashantifriendship.com/JTB/Royalhouse.htm

http://news.myjoyonline.com/politics/200807/17910.asp

[James Hoard]

Herewith an interesting article on the Ghanian National Honours which appeared in The Ghanaian Times.

Cheers,

James

The National Honours Awards ? A Historical Perspective

By Kofi Dei, Ghana Information Services Department

Tuesday, 01 July 2008, The Ghanaian Times.

A nation that does not honour its heroes is not worth dying for, goes a wise saying. Ghanaians therefore attach great importance to their national heroes, since these great men and women symbolise our cherished national culture and values.

National award winners are, therefore, individuals who excel in their various stations in life in the course of their service to God and man. They make the nation proud through their dedication to the national cause.

The awards are means by which their sacrifices and excellent contributions to the progress of humanity are acknowledged and rewarded to act as inspiration to others. National awards also unite the nation as it brings together people from all parts of the country to share honours together. It also promotes international relations through the honorary awards given to foreigners for their dedicated service to the nation and international community.

National awards did not start with independent Ghana, then instituted under the National Honours Warrant of the Republic of Ghana (1960). Long before independence, the British Colonial State of the Gold Coast gave awards to citizens who served the colony best. Beneficiaries of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) award included Nana Sir Tsibu Darko, Nana Sir Ofori Atta and Mr. Enoch Kwabena Okoh who in addition received a post independent award of Companion of the Order of the Volta, Civil division (Civil Service Administration). It is against this background that Ghanaians anxiously await this year's annual National Honours Awards, which takes place this week under the distinguished patronage of President J. A. Kufuor. Until the latter part of June 2008, when a new and highest award was instituted, the national award consisted four categories: the Star, River Volta, Gallantry and Grand Medal. The four have been subdivided into a total of 27 namely:

Companion of the Order of the Star of Ghana (CSG) (Honorary Division).

- Companion of the Order of the Star of Ghana (CSG) (Civil Division).

- Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana (OSG) (Civil Division).

- Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana (OSG) (Military Division).

- Member of the Order of the Star of Ghana (Civil Division).

- Member of the Order of the Star of Ghana (MSG) (Military).

- Member of the Order of the Star of Ghana (MSG) (Police Division).

- Member of the Order of the Star of Ghana (MSG) (Honorary Division).

- Companion of the Order of the Volta (CV) (Military Division).

- Companion of the Order of the Volta (OV) (Civil Division).

- Companion of the Order of the Volta (OV) (Honorary Division).

- Officer of the Order of the Volta (OV) (Civil Division).

- Officer of the Order of the Volta (OV) (Honorary Division).

- Officer of the Order of the Volta (OV) (Military Division).

- Member of the Order of the Volta (MV) (Civil Division).

- Member of the Order of the Volta (MV) (Honorary Division).

- Member of the Order of the Volta (MV) (Military Division).

- Member of the Order of the Volta (MV) (Police Division).

- Medal for Gallantry (MG) (Military Division).

- Medal for Gallantry (MG) (Honorary Division).

- Medal for Gallantry (MG) (Police Division).

- Medal for Gallantry (MG) (Civil Division).

- Grand Medal (Honorary Division).

- Grand Medal (Military Division).

- Grand Medal (Police Division).

- Grand Medal (Prisons Division)

- Grand Medal (Civil Division).

The creation of the new award, "Grand Order of the Star and Eagles of Ghana", by the President, has raised the number to five categories. The latest award goes exclusively to Ghanaian Heads of State and the only living candidates for this year's award are the sitting President, Mr. Kufuor and former President J.J. Rawlings. This year, a total number of 244 eminent Ghanaians as well as non nationals (for the honorary awards) have been shortlisted for the awards as against 78 last year and 160 two years ago.

Pictures at: http://www.ambafrance-gh.org/local/cache-v...illes-1b1ef.jpg

The Order of the Star of Ghana

The next highest of the awards is the Companion of the Order of the Star of Ghana (CSG). It is subdivided into Companion Officer, Member and Honorary categories. Recipients are statesmen who excel in the service of their nations and the international community. Recipients of the honorary division of this award include former Presidents Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, Fidel Castro Ruz of Cuba, Nelson Mandela of South Africa, Laurent Gbagbo of Cote d' Ivoire and Abubakar Abdulsalami of Nigeria.

In 1988, a distinguished Ghanaian top international civil servant and Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan, received the Companion of the Order of the Star of Ghana CSG (Civil Division).

Other Star award recipients were Dr. Ebenezer Ako Adjei, who received the Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana (OSG Civil Division), the late Mr. Daniel Francis Annan, a former Speaker of Parliament who received it for Legal, State and Parliament Service, and the late Mr. Nathan Annang Quao, rewarded for Public Service.

Recipients of the military division of the Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana hitherto include Lt. Gen Joshua Mahamadu Hamidu, in the area of Military and State Service.

The late Mr. Justice Philip Archer received his award under the category of Member of the Order of the Star of Ghana, Civil Division, in the area of Judicial Service, Ghana Law Reform and State Service whereas Dr. Obed Asamoah's award gazetted in 1999 fell under State and Legal Service category.

Other recipients in this category include the late Mr. Kenneth Kweku Sinaman Dadzie (Public and International Service, 1980), the late Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia (State Service) and Prof. Alex Adum Kwapong (Higher Education, 1999).

Gazetted national awards in 1974 included, Lt. Gen Benedictus Kodzo Akafia, the late Rear Admiral Joy Kobla Amedume, the late Air-Vice Marshal George Yaw Boakye, Major General Emmanuel Alexander Erskine, the late Major General Neville Alexander Odartey-Wellington and Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Arnold Quainoo. They were recipients of the Member of the Order of the Star of Ghana (MSG) (Military Division).

A former head of intelligence, Mr. Benjamin Fordjoe, received the Member of the Order of the Star of Ghana (MSG) (Police Division) for outstanding duties in the area of police, public and international service.

This year some eminent citizens selected for the Star Companion category includes Vice-President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, former Vice-President Professor John Evans Atta-Mills, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene and Chairman of the Committee of Eminent Persons for Resolution of the Dagbon chieftaincy conflict including other members of that Committee such as Nayiri Naa Bohugu Shirigu, paramount chief of Mamprusi, Yagbon-Wura Bawa Doshie, paramount chief of Gonja traditional area and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, a former Foreign Minister who receives it for his contribution to Human Rights advocacy, Rule of Law and national politics.

The Order of the Volta

Pictures at: http://www.ambafrance-gh.org/local/cache-v...volta-de76b.jpg

The Companion of the Order of the Volta (CV) has been sub-divided into four: Military, Civil, Police and Honorary. Recipients of awards in the Volta Medal, Military division include the late Major-General Frederick William Kwasi Akuffo (Military and State Service), Colonel (Rtd) John Maxwell Ewa (Military/State Award) and Lieutenant General Joseph Henry Smith (Military Service). In the Police Division, the following former police heads have been recipients: I.G.P. Mr. Ernest Ako, I.G.P. Mr. Christopher Kobla Dewornu, I.G.P. Mr. Peter Tengam a'bang Nanfuri and Commissioner of Police Mr. Kofi Bentum Quantson.

In the Civil Division, recipients include Messrs Daniel Ohene Agyekum (International and State Service), Kwamena Ahwoi (Higher Education and State), Samuel Hemans Arday, (Sports, Football) Dr. Robert Dodoo (Civil Service Administration), Mrs. Shirley Ababio (Public Service), Ms Ama Atta Aidoo, Education Service (Literary Excellence), Mr. Justice Akuffo-Addo, Public Service, Judicial/State Affairs.

Medal for Gallantry

Display of exceptional bravery to save life and property is recognized with the Medal for Gallantry (MG) award offered in four divisions: military, honorary (for non Ghanaians) police and civil.

The honorary medal award for Gallantry has, hitherto, been won by outstanding individuals like Dr. Noguchie Hideyo, Japanese who died while researching into Yellow Fever cure in Ghana.

A police escort and a Sergeant, Ambrose Saibu, in 1973 won the police division of the Medal for Gallantry award when he thwarted an effort by armed robbers to burgle a magazine. In 1979, Mr. Samuel Godwill Addison was posthumously rewarded with a civil division Medal for Gallantry when he saved a girl from electrocution.

On her part, Miss Yiadana showed exceptional bravery when, at a great peril of her own life she saved a man from drowning in the Volta river. Mr. Kofi Asomani also performed a similar feat to save some children from a burning house. Both of them received the medal for Gallantry award in March 1973. For rescuing a University course mate from deadly attack of wild bees during field work, Mr. Simon Okletey was the proud recipient of Medal for Gallantry, Civil Division.

The Grand Medal

The great majority of national award recipients fall under Grand Medal broken down into honorary, military, police, prison and civil divisions. The awards in this category covers individuals who have excelled in every aspect of national development such as social service, civil service, agriculture, sports choreography, education, building, judicial service, religion, health service, public service, medicine, legal state service, nursing, higher education, voluntary service, industry, scientific research, culture, journalism, mining, international affairs, music, commerce etc.

Non Ghanaian nationals who have been honoured with the Grand Medal (Honorary Division) include the late table tennis sponsor and philanthropist, D. G Hathiramani, an Indian, Reverend Father Joop Visser, a Catholic and Dutch (Religious and Social Service), His Excellency Mr. John Schram, a former Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana (Social and International Service) and Sister Monica (Missionary Education).

Military Officers who have been awarded the Military Division of the Grand Medal include Baba Abu (RSM), for Exceptional loyalty and devotion to duty, Lt Col. Joseph Narh Adinkrah (Military Service), Lt. Col Edmund Kweku Akyea-Mensah (Military and Public Service), WOII Gershon Kwadzode (Exceptional loyalty and Devotion to Duty), WOI John Baba (Military Service), WOI Isaac Frimpong, (Exceptional Loyalty and Devotion to Duty), the late Lt. Col. Wiston Martin Mensah-Wood (Military Service), Lt.-Col Victor Coker-Appiah (Exceptional Loyalty and Devotion to Duty).

The Civil Division recipients include the late Dr. Oku Ampofu (Medical Service), Ms Alice Teye Ofikor Anum (Athletic, Sports), Mr. Ayew Abedi "Pele" (Football, Sports), Mr. Jones Attuquayefio (Football, Sports), the late Mr. John Evans Atta-Mills (Agriculture) and the late Dr. Ephraim Amu (Higher Education, Music).

Their awards serve as motivation for other nationals to excel and operate beyond mediocrity, stereotypism and the well beaten track of the crowd.

End

[heusy68]

Here is Order of the Volta from Ghana.It's Companion grade.

It is in original case by Fattorini of Birmingham.The sash badge is in silver-gilt,but the small neck badge is in gold.That particular one was on auction in october 2008 and was not sold.

Emmanuel

[heusy68]

Here is a picture of the small neck badge which is in gold.

It seems that the Order of Volta has now chnaged of ribbon colour ( sky blue with tricolour edged stripes ).

Emmanuel

[Ulsterman]

James:

Have you seen this book?

[Riley1965]

James:

Have you seen this book?

What's the name of the book?

Doc

[Ulsterman]

The Ghana Army.

See here:

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=2021...p;hl=ghana+army

[heusy68]

James:

Have you seen this book?

That specific book with multiple picture by page,I do not have.

What I have is the book printed by Fattorini of Birmingham for the Government of Ghana (same picture),but 1 picture by page.

For those who do not know,the medal manufacturer Fattorini of Birmingham is (was ?) the onliest manufacturer for Ghana Medals & Orders in the late 60ies,70ies & 80ies.

It seems the contract for the Ghana 50 th Years of Independence Medal was given to another company.

Emmanuel

[congobrown]

And here are some images of the Ghana 50th Anniversary of Independence Medal mentioned by Emmanuel

[James Hoard]

James:

Have you seen this book?

Hi Ulsterman,

Indeed, I have.

Alas, I sold it off by mistake!

James

[ilja559]

Order of the Star of Ghana.

The Order of the Star of Ghana is the highest award given by the Government of Ghana to any individual who had helped the cause of the country in one way or the other. Recipients of this award are decorated at a state function, chaired by the President of the Republic.

More information.

Ordre de l'Etoile du Ghana

L'ordre de l'Etoile du Ghana est décerné pour récompenser
les services les plus éminents, rendus au pays en temps de paix ou en temps de
guerre. 11 comporte trois classes, Companion, Officer et Member.

Insigne: étoile à sept branches, présentant à
l'avers, un aigle en plein vol, entouré des mots «Order of thé Star of Ghana»
et au revers, les armes du pays entourées de l'inscription «Companion (ou
Officer, ou Member, selon la classe) of the Order of the Star
of Ghana».

Ruban: ruban de 37 mm. composé de trois bandes
verticales égales rouge, jaune et vert.

Port des insignes: les Companions
portent en sautoir un insigne en or ; les Officers portent en sautoir un
insigne en argent avec le centre en or; les Members portent en sautoir un
insigne en argent, avec le centre en vermeil.

Edited February 1, 2013 by ilja559

[ilja559]

Order of Volta Companion and Member.

Ordre de la Volta

L'ordre de la Volta constitue le second ordre national du Ghana. Il comporte deux divisions, militaire et civile, et trois classes. Companion, Officer et Member. Il récompense les mérites éminents rendus au pays en général.

Insigne: étoile en or, à sept branches, sur laquelle est fixée une seconde étoile à sept branches en or; le centre représente une centrale hydroélectrique sur la Volta; le revers porte une représentation symbolique, entourée de l'inscription «Companion (ou Officer, ou Member, selon la classe) of the Order of the Volta».

Ruban: ruban bleu foncé de 32 mm. de large, à liserés rouges de 4 mm., et avec une ligne centrale noire de 4,5 mm.

Port des insignes: les Companions portent en sautoir un insigne en or ; les Officers portent en sautoir un insigne en or avec le centre en vermeil ; les Members portent en sautoir un insigne en vermeil, avec le centre en argent.

Les titulaires de la division militaire portent sur leur uniforme une barrette de tissu aux couleurs de l'ordre, mais avec une petite ligne rouge au centre du ruban.

Edited February 1, 2013 by ilja559

[ilja559]

Gallantry Medal

Medal for Gallantry

La Medal for Gallantry récompense les actes de bravoure, notamment à l'occasion des opérations de sauvetage des personnes et des biens privés; les militaires peuvent en être décorés si leur action n'a pas été récompensée par le Distinguished Service Order (voir plus loin). Elle peut être décernée à titre posthume.

Insigne: médaille circulaire en argent, dont l'avers représente Elmina Castle avec l'inscription «Gallantry» au-dessus; le revers porte les armes du Ghana.

Ruban: ruban de 32 mm., bleu foncé à liserés jaunes de 6,5 mm., séparés du bleu par une petite ligne rouge de 3 mm.

Edited February 1, 2013 by ilja559

[ilja559]

Grand Medal

Grand Medal

Cette médaille est décernée à tous les membres militaires des forces armées, indépendamment de leur grade, ainsi qu'aux fonctionnaires civils, pour récompenser leur dévouement à la République.

Insigne: médaille ovale, en argent, dont l'avers représente un éléphant surmontant l'inscription «The Grand Medal»; le revers porte les armes du pays.

Ruban: ruban de 32 mm., bleu avec deux lignes centrales noire et blanche, de 3 mm. chacune, et deux liserés rouges de 3 mm

Edited February 1, 2013 by ilja559

[ilja559]

Army Distinguished Service Order

Distinguished Service Order (Armée)

Le Distinguished Service Order des forces armées est décerné aux officiers pour leur bravoure face à l'ennemi. Cet ordre n'est généralement pas attribué en dessous du grade de lieutenant-colonel.

Insigne: croix en argent dont l'avers représente un aigle couronné entouré de palmes; le revers porte les armes à Ghana, avec l'inscription «Ever Ready», ainsi que le nom du titulaire et la date d'attribution.

Ruban: ruban de32 mm. comportant une bande centrale verte de 13 mm. et des liserés jaunes, bleus et verts de chaque côté, le vert se trouvant à l'extérieur.

Edited February 1, 2013 by ilja559

[ilja559]

Distinguished Service Cross

[ilja559]

Police Cross

[ilja559]

Prisons Cross

[peter monahan]

A very interesting thread. Thank you, gentlemen, for your contributions.

Obviously, the notion of the head of state being not only the font of all honours AND the creator of same, harks to the European monarchies of the last several centuries. Victoria's founding of the Royal Victorian Order - alluded to in another thread on this site - is an example. So, it is difficult to say whether President Kufuor is copying that precedent or simply engaging in a self aggrandizement.

A common complaint about African governments is their supposed inability to fully implement Western style democracy. However, it may be that culturally some Ghanaians equate the Presidency with traditional Assante kingship rather than with the more Western notion that a President or Prime Minister is really only 'first among equals' and not in fact a regal figure. If that is the case, then the argument can be made that the President was acting in the spirit of traditional leadership and not simply in ignorance of or in despite of the democratic institutions of the country.

[peter monahan]

BTW, IVB, some of your links don't appear to be working, though it may be my computer, which appears to have taken a dislike to this website in particular! I couldn't get through on links 4, 9 or 10. :(