The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, has strongly defended her recognition as “Best Regional Minister” at the sixth edition of the Ghana Ministers of State Excellence Honours, insisting that the award was based on her performance in office and not on any financial contribution.
Responding to criticism surrounding the award scheme, Madam Ocloo dismissed claims that recipients paid to be recognised, arguing that such allegations were motivated by jealousy and political rivalry.
In an interview with Asaase Radio on Monday, she rejected suggestions raised by the Director-General of the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), Michael Kpessa-Whyte, who recently questioned the credibility of the award scheme and the practice of paying to receive honours.
Madam Ocloo suggested that Prof. Kpessa-Whyte’s criticism may have been influenced by their long-standing political rivalry in the Shai Osudoku Constituency, where they previously contested for the National Democratic Congress parliamentary candidacy.
“I have defeated Kpessa-Whyte four consecutive times. If Kpessa-Whyte thought that because I was recognised he wanted to tarnish my image, then that is unfortunate,” she said.
The minister questioned whether other award recipients, including Cassiel Ato Forson, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah and other honourees, had also paid for their awards, arguing that such claims lacked basis.
She further insisted that she did not make any payment to receive the recognition.
“Before the God I serve, I never paid a penny for this award. Why should I pay for an award? If people choose not to recognise me, others will. I have been elected by the people of Shai Osudoku for three terms because of the work I have done,” she stated.
The controversy emerged after Prof. Kpessa-Whyte revealed that he had been informed he was to receive a “Best CEO of the Year” award from organisers of the event but declined the invitation after his office sought clarification on the process.
According to him, officials from the organisation reportedly informed his office that participation required either a sponsorship package worth GH¢50,000 or the purchase of a table at the awards ceremony for GH¢25,000.
Prof. Kpessa-Whyte argued that public recognition should be based on transparent assessments, measurable impact and institutional credibility rather than financial contributions.
The awards ceremony, organised by Big Events Ghana and founded by Prince Emmanuel Markey, took place at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra on June 6.
The scheme is designed to recognise ministers, public officials and institutional leaders for their contributions to governance and national development. However, questions have been raised about the transparency of its selection process, assessment criteria and judging panel, none of which are publicly known.
Among the major award recipients were Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, who was named Overall Best Performing Minister; Linda Ocloo, Best Regional Minister; Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Best Male Performing Minister; Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, Best Female Performing Minister; and Dorcas Affo Toffey, Best Deputy Minister.
Defending her selection, Madam Ocloo pointed to what she described as significant achievements since assuming office, including interventions in sanitation management, chieftaincy disputes, street lighting, boundary disputes and flood mitigation.
She highlighted demolition exercises carried out on waterways and Ramsar sites to reduce flooding risks in the capital, acknowledging that some of those decisions had attracted public criticism.
“I know I’ve done a lot for the good people of Greater Accra. Expectations are high, but I believe I have done enough to deserve that recognition,” she said.
The debate over the awards intensified after the Office of the President issued a directive on June 8 barring ministers, chief executive officers of state institutions and other political appointees from accepting or participating in privately organised award schemes without prior approval from the Presidency.
In a letter signed by the Secretary to the President, Callistus Mahama, the Presidency expressed concern about the growing number of private organisations conferring honours on public officials without transparent and verifiable assessment criteria.
The directive stated that such awards risk undermining the integrity of public service, creating misconceptions about government performance and exposing public institutions to criticism.
The Presidency emphasised that the performance of ministers and chief executive officers would be assessed based on measurable outcomes, service delivery, prudent management of public resources and the successful implementation of government policies rather than recognition from private organisations.
The directive further indicated that future decisions regarding retention, reassignment and possible Cabinet restructuring would be informed by comprehensive performance reviews conducted by the Presidency.
The government reiterated that public officials should focus on delivering results for citizens rather than seeking external recognition from organisations whose credibility and assessment methodologies remain unclear.
