Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh, Executive Director of the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), has issued a warning regarding the Ghana Ministers of State Excellence Awards. He stated that these awards threaten cabinet cohesion and could complicate the President's management of his ministers. This concern arises amid public debate over the awards scheme.
The awards, organized by Big Events Ghana, aim to recognize outstanding ministerial performance. However, critics have questioned the timing and appropriateness of ranking ministers within the same government. Professor Prempeh emphasized that such external recognitions could conflict with internal government assessments, potentially disrupting presidential personnel decisions.
This issue fits into the ongoing discourse about governance standards and accountability in Ghana. Public officials' performance is often scrutinized, but the method of assessment remains a point of contention. Data on ministerial output and efficiency is routinely gathered by state institutions, but external evaluation by private entities introduces a new dynamic. Previous discussions around public sector reforms have often highlighted the need for robust, internal performance evaluation systems.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express Business Edition on June 9, 2026, Professor Prempeh explained his concerns. He stated, “Assuming, for example, that the President is probably contemplating a reshuffle, on the eve of that decision, is met with an award designating a particular minister as the best minister.” He added that a minister lauded by a third party might concurrently be “on the cutting block” based on the President's own internal standards. This scenario, he argued, interferes with the President's authority to manage government personnel.
The implications are significant for government stability and effective governance. Such awards could encourage individual ministers to pursue personal recognition over collective goals, weakening cabinet solidarity. Decision-makers must now consider the balance between public calls for performance recognition and the vital principle of collective responsibility within the executive. The market and public will watch for any shifts in government cohesion following these awards, especially concerning future cabinet reshuffles or policy initiatives.
Professor Prempeh further highlighted the importance of collective responsibility among ministers. He stressed that ministers work as a team to deliver on the President’s mandate. Awards that single out individuals risk creating “perverse incentives” that undermine teamwork, he concluded. This could lead ministers to prioritize “solo projects” for personal glory rather than collaborative efforts. Such outcomes could reduce overall government effectiveness and public trust. The potential impact on policy implementation and economic stability is a key area to monitor.