Some big-name appointees of President John Dramani Mahama have been fingered in the cash-for-awards saga controversy surrounding the 6th Ghana Ministers of State Excellence Awards Scheme.
The event, which was held on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at the Labadi Beach Hotel, brought together government officials, traditional leaders and stakeholders.
Reports suggest the awards recognised individuals across various sectors for their contributions to governance and national development.
Winners on the night were the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, who received the Overall Best Performing Minister award; Lands Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, who was named Best Male Performing Minister for 2026; and Dorcas Toffey, the Deputy Minister of Transport, who emerged as Best Deputy Minister at the awards ceremony.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, was adjudged Best Female Minister. Also, the NSS boss Ruth Seddoh won the best female CEO, with Professor Gyamo winning the overall best CEO, and the DVLA boss Julius Kotey also won the promising CEO, with Rockson Dafeamakpor winning the best MP.
Also, independent candidate for Gomoa Central, Kwame A Plus, won the most hardworking MP.
Following the dust settling on the awards night, a dramatic twist has emerged with the CEO of the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), Kpessa-Whyte, blowing the alarm on the controversial “Ghana Ministers of State Excellence Honours”.
According to the SIGA boss, he was asked to pay to receive an award at the “Ghana Ministers of State Excellence Honours”.
Kpessa-Whyte highlighted that attendance at the event to receive the supposed honour was tied to payment either of a sponsorship package of GH¢50,000 or the purchase of a dinner table of eight at GH¢25,000.
His revelation has now cast a doubt on the credibility of the awards scheme, which has come under scrutiny following allegations that nominees were required to make financial contributions in order to participate in the event.
Meanwhile, Edem Agbana, the Member of Parliament for Ketu North, has quizzed why public officials should accept awards from events that seek sponsorships or financial contributions from them.
In a post on X, he wrote, “I support recognising public officials who perform their duties well and make a meaningful difference in the lives of Ghanaians. Public service demands sacrifice, commitment and leadership. When public officials deliver exceptional results, we should acknowledge and celebrate their contributions.
“However, I am concerned about the standards that govern such recognition. Citizens place confidence in government when public officials act with integrity and exercise sound judgement. For this reason, we must address not only actual conflicts of interest but also situations that create the perception of impropriety.
“The current debate surrounding the Ghana Ministers of State Excellence Awards is not simply about those who attended the event or those who received awards. Rather, we should ask a more important question: should public officials receive awards from events that solicit sponsorships or financial contributions from the institutions they supervise or lead?”
Also, netizens on social media have been demanding a probe into the alleged Ministers of State’s ‘cash for awards’ wahala.
See the post below:
Maame o den den. Pay and receive!!! pic.twitter.com/rEyUvKPUN1
— Kofi Tonto (@kofitonto) June 8, 2026
PUBLIC OFFICE, PUBLIC TRUST
— Eric Edem Agbana (@edemagbana) June 7, 2026
I support recognising public officials who perform their duties well and make a meaningful difference in the lives of Ghanaians. Public service demands sacrifice, commitment, and leadership. When public officials deliver exceptional results, we should… pic.twitter.com/TY5xuUM8YY
