The Ghanaian Minaret

Accra: Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice President, has become the first Muslim politician since 2008 to receive the Order of the Star of Ghana award.

The presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was honoured in the officer category.

He follows the footsteps of Aliu Mahama, who was honoured in July 2008 as the recipient of the Order of the Star of Ghana—Companion.

The Order of the Star of Ghana had been the highest national honour in the country until 2008, when former president Agyekum Kufour introduced the Grand Order of the Star and Eagles of Ghana.

“You have been a steadfast advocate for religious tolerance and national unity. Exemplifying leadership that transcends divisions and promotes peace and harmony among Ghanaians,” the citation read.

“Your dedication to building a society rooted in integrity, inclusivity, and progress has endeared citizens across this nation.”

Other Ghanaian Muslims were awarded across various categories.

They included Salma Salifu, Managing Director of Dignity DTRT, and Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, the Minister of Finance, who were recognised under the member category for the Order of the Volta.

Muslim awardees in the Grand Medal wereHajia Katumi Natogmah Attah, Northern Regional Director of Education; Ayishetu Adam, a former African Games relay medallist; and Dr. Fareeda Adusei Wilson, Medical Director at the Ahmadiyya Mission Hospital at Daboase.

Other recipients in the same category were DCFO (Rtd) Ahaji Richard Nuhu Gibril, the past Greater Accra Regional Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service, and Dr. Mustapha Hamid, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority.

The National Honours and Awards is a national awards ceremony that honours citizens who have rendered distinguished services to Ghana in various fields and careers.

The award was instituted in 1960 to honour distinguished and deserving Ghanaians in various disciplines of national development and endeavour, celebrating creativity, innovation, excellence, and hard work.

The maiden ceremony of the National Honours and Awards was held when Ghana became a republic under the leadership of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. Since then, the initiative to honour deserving Ghanaians and foreign nationals, has become part of the nation.