In an interview on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem, Mr Donkor said he is excited about the national recognition.

However, he said the award would have been more meaningful if the fight against illegal mining locally known as ‘galamsey’ had been won.

“Each person expects to gain recognition for their work and it is prestigious for the nation to honour you. It is encouraging and I appreciate it.

“But this award would have been meaningful if President Akufo-Addo and his people attached some importance to galamsey and we achieved results which we could boast of. But now, all our waterbodies are in a bad state and there is nothing we can do with it so in that regard, the joy is not complete,” he stated.

The award was given to Erastus on Monday, December 30, 2024, in recognition of his significant contribution to the national development, particularly in the media landscape.

He was among several Ghanaians including the outgoing Vice President of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, ministers of State and other outstanding private individuals who were decorated.

Speaking on how he earned the spot, Mr Donkor revealed it was a nomination by the Ghana Journalists Association(GJA).

Listen to Mr Donkor in the audio attached above:

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The ceremony, which is set to take place at the Accra International Conference Centre, will see the two legends receive the Grand Medal for their faithful and loyal service to the nation.

Joining them in the Creative Arts category is actress and filmmaker Juliet Yaa Asantewaa Asante. Renowned filmmaker Kwaw Paintsil Ansah will also be honoured with the prestigious Order of the Volta (Member).

About the National Honours and Awards 

The National Honours and Awards ceremony was established in 1960 to recognise individuals and institutions who have made distinguished contributions to Ghana’s development. The initiative, first introduced under the leadership of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, continues to celebrate creativity, excellence, and hard work in various fields of endeavour.

This year’s event also highlights the recently introduced Presidential Honours and Awards for Distinguished Service, created by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2023. This new category acknowledges extraordinary contributions made during the COVID-19 pandemic. President Akufo-Addo has praised the resilience and collaboration displayed by citizens, institutions, and international partners in safeguarding lives and mobilising resources during the crisis.

The honours, spanning several categories, include the Grand Medal, the Order of the Volta (Member and Companion), and the Order of the Star of Ghana (Member and Officer), among others.

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The award, the second highest honour in the country, was bestowed upon Mr Asare Donkor in recognition of his tireless efforts to expose the destructive activities of illegal miners and his unwavering commitment to championing the fight against environmental degradation.

Through his investigative reporting, Erastus Asare Donkor has been at the forefront of the campaign against galamsey, a term used to describe the illegal mining activities that have ravaged the country’s natural resources and polluted its water bodies.

Through his reports, he has brought attention to the devastating impact of galamsey on the environment and human health.

President Akufo-Addo, in his citation, praised Mr Asare Donkor for his dedication to the cause.

Erastus Asare Donkor expressed his appreciation to the President and dedicated the award to his team.

The Order of the Volta, Ghana’s second highest honour, is conferred on individuals who have significantly contributed to the country’s development.

Mr Asare Donkor’s award is a testament to the impact of his work and a recognition of the critical role that journalism plays in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance.

The ceremony was attended by dignitaries, including the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, Ministers of State, and other high-ranking citizens and government officials.

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They were awarded during the 2023 National Awards Ceremony held at the International Conference Centre, Accra on March 14, 2023.

The officers, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP), Dr Samuel Otu-Nyarko, Head of Public Health Department at the Police Hospital in Accra and № 7405 PW Corporal Iddrisu Rahinatu of the Pwalugu Police Clinic received the Grand Medal Awards for Excellence in Case Management for COVID-19.

The duo was awarded for ensuring the safety of the public during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Police Administration in a press statement congratulated the two Police officers for “making the Ghana Police Service proud.”

“The Administration also takes this opportunity to congratulate all other officers who played varied roles during the period of the pandemic,” the statement read.

According to the lawyer, he did not understand the criteria for selecting the awardees.

He explained that there are other persons who contributed greatly to winning the maritime dispute between Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire in 2017, which success formed the basis for the honour and hence should have been recognised as well.

“It is impossible to understand the criteria which excluded the names of Nana Asafu-Adjaye, Thomas Manu, Ayaa Armah, Kojo Agbenor-Efunam, Nana Appia Kyei and Nii Adzei Akpor.

“Even Professor Martin Tsamenyi is left out. His work led to the creation of the Maritime Boundary Secretariat, which coordinated the litigation. He was an influential member of the team till he fell ill.

“Nor is it clear why Kwame Mfodwo, the Co-coordinator of the Maritime Boundary Secretariat and Nana Poku, the indefatigable cartographer of the team, were only deserving of ‘certificates’, in an evidently belated attempt to offer them some acknowledgement,” he wrote in a press release dated 15^th March 2023.

Mr Tsikata said he prefers to celebrate the collective effort of the team and the leadership that promoted collaboration and stifled disruptive elements, to receive the award.

“The unforgettable images of Marietta Brew Appiah-Opong handing over to Gloria Akuffo symbolise that and remain indelible,” he stressed.

National Honours are the highest awards that a citizen can receive for dedicated service to a country.

However, upon being nominated, Mr Fui Tsikata declined the offer. Subsequently, there were media reports that he did so to tarnish the awards.

But Mr Tsikata debunked the assertion, “I understand that my decision to decline the offer of a national award is being interpreted as motivated by partisan political considerations.”

“In my letter of 2 November 2022 to the Solicitor-General, in response to hers informing me of the offer of an award, I explained that “I have long and deeply held convictions about not accepting recognition in the form of national honours.” Those who know me will confirm these convictions as well as my inclination to avoid grand public gestures and the fuss around them,” he stated.

Mr Tsikata added that “If anything tarnishes the awards, it is not my rejection of the offer to me, but rather the unfortunate selectivity in deciding those involved in the maritime boundary litigation to whom awards would be given.”

The former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mrs Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong also rejected the honour.

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National Honours: See list and photos of award winners

On Tuesday, March 14, 2023, President Nana Akufo-Addo conferred national honours on Some Ghanaians who have excelled in various fields of national endeavour over the years.

They were awarded for their meritorious services, hard work, sacrifices and contribution to national development.

Members of the Ghanaian legal team that represented the country during the adjudication of the maritime boundary dispute between Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire were also nominated for awards.