Gomoa Central MP Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known as A Plus, has weighed in on the controversy surrounding paid awards, arguing that the very act of being approached to buy recognition should raise questions about a person’s reputation.
Reacting to discussions following the 6th Ghana Ministers of State Excellence Honours, A Plus said organisers would not dare approach certain respected personalities with offers to pay for awards.
“Before anyone is bold enough to approach you with an offer to pay for an award, it tells you three things. They don’t respect you, they don’t believe you deserve the award on merit, and they think you are corrupt enough to buy recognition,” he wrote on Facebook.
He cited Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and veteran journalist Kwesi Pratt Jr. as examples of people he believes would never be approached with such proposals.
“Would anyone dare approach Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson with such an offer? No. Would anyone approach Kwesi Pratt Jr. with such an offer? No,” he stated.
According to A Plus, Ato Forson was unaware he had been nominated for an award until the day of the ceremony.
“For the record, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson did not even know about the award. I personally called his P.A. to inform him that his boss had been nominated and to ask that someone receive it on his behalf,” he said.
The MP maintained that genuine recognition should be based on performance and public service rather than financial influence.
“The truth is that impact cannot be bought. It must be earned through hard work, sacrifice, results and service to the people,” he added.
