The Member of Parliament for Ketu North, Edem Agbana, has launched a blistering attack on the proliferation of award schemes for Ministers, CEOs, and public officials, warning that State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) are being dragged back into an expensive and meaningless “plaque-for-cash” culture that thrived under the previous NPP government.
In a commentary that has quickly gained traction, the outspoken NDC lawmaker did not hide his frustration, describing the trend as “worrying” and devoid of any credible basis for measuring performance.
“Do They Know the KPI of Each Minister?”
Agbana questioned the very foundation of these awards, arguing that without transparent and verifiable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for individual Ministers, titles like “Best Minister” are laughable.
“I do not know the sponsors of this particular awards yet, but what does it even mean? Do they know the KPI of each Minister? What is Best Ministers Awards…? Mtchwwww,” he wrote, his use of the dismissive expression underscoring his contempt for what he sees as a hollow and self-serving exercise.
State Resources Wasted on Plaques, Not People
The MP expressed alarm that significant amounts of funds appear to be going into sponsoring such events, with little to no direct benefit to the Ghanaian people.
“Respectfully, I believe it may be necessary for the Chief of Staff to issue a directive on this matter,” Agbana said, calling for urgent presidential intervention.
He argued that instead of burning resources on awards that create only the “impression of performance,” SOEs should be redirected to channel their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds into tangible community projects—such as the construction of schools, AstroTurfs, drilling of boreholes, and refurbishment of markets.
“Continuing the NPP Tradition”
In his most pointed criticism, Agbana accused some state institutions of perpetuating a culture he thought had ended with the previous administration.
“Unfortunately, some institutions seem to be continuing the NPP tradition of sponsoring awards largely for the purpose of receiving plaques and recognitions that create the impression of performance,” he lamented.
A Question of Priority
Agbana’s concerns are sharpened by the current government’s own posture of sacrifice. Just recently, the administration transferred GH¢6.1 million to the “Mahama Cares” Medical Trust Fund from salary deductions of the President and his appointees—while the President himself donated six months of his salary.
The MP’s message appears clear: if the top of government is sacrificing for the vulnerable, why are SOEs still spending scarce resources on self-congratulatory plaques for the powerful.
