All You Need To Know About The Order Of The Volta Award – Ghana’s Highest National Honours
In 1960, Kwame Nkrumah instituted the Order of the Volta, one of Ghana’s highest honours. Over his tenure as president, he only once awarded it to Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space.
The rarity of this act underscored the prestige and exclusivity of the award, celebrating extraordinary achievements that transcended borders and inspired the nation.
In recent years, however, presidents appear to use the award more liberally, often to honour their own appointees. This trend risks politicizing what should remain a national celebration of exceptional accomplishments.
While there may occasionally be valid reasons for awarding appointees, such decisions demand careful consideration of ethics, public perception, and the fundamental purpose of national honours.
Categories of State Honours
State Honours Civil Division:
- The Order of the Star of Ghana
The Insignia consists of a medal, a seven-pointed star 51 mm in diameter suspended on a ring and worn with a ribbon collar, a sash, a pendant and a rosette. A miniature is also provided.
Ribbon: 35 mm wide with three equal stripes of red, yellow and green.
Sash: 102 mm in width.
The Companion is worn over the right shoulder and the Officer and Member over the left.
The Order comprises three classes:
COMPANION. In 18-carat gold. In yellow gold, the centre in white gold carrying a flying eagle and star facing left.
The Coat of Arms of Ghana is surrounded by the inscription ‘Companion of the Order of the Star of Ghana’ in relief.
OFFICER. In silver with gold centre.
With the inscription ‘Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana’.
MEMBER. In silver with a gilt background to the centre.
With the inscription ‘Member of the Order of the Star of Ghana’.
Eligibility
Persons eligible for the decoration may be Ghanaians or non-Ghanaians from all walks of life.
Conditions for the award: This order which is the premier order of Ghana is awarded in recognition of the highest service to the State of Ghana either in peace or in war.
2. The Order of the Star of the Volta
The Insignia consists of a medal, a seven-pointed star 45 mm in diameter suspended on a ring and worn with a ribbon collar, a sash, a pendant and a rosette. A miniature is also provided.
The Companion is worn over the right shoulder and the Officer and Member over the left.
The Order comprises three classes:
COMPANION: In 18-carat gold.
In yellow gold, the centre in white gold a symbolic allusion to the Volta Hydro Scheme, damming and control of the river and the power issuant from it.
Reverse: A composite device showing the symbols of freedom and justice with the inscription ‘Companion of the Order of the Volta’ in relief.
OFFICER: In silver with gold centre. Reverse: With the inscription ‘Officer of the Order of the Volta.’
MEMBER: In silver with the gilt background to the centre.
With the inscription ‘Member of the Order of the Volta’
Eligibility
It is awarded for distinguished service in the following field: Civil Service, Military and Police Service, Prisons Service, Judicial Service, and local government; Service with Statutory bodies; Service in Education and Public Health; Service with Voluntary Organizations; Sports, Music, Arts and crafts, and other Cultural pursuits; Scientific and other research; Commerce, agriculture, and industry; and any other public service not specified.
Conditions for the award. This order is in two Divisions, Military, and Civil. The Military Division can thus, be conferred upon members of the fighting service for services that do not qualify them for some other decoration awarded for service in the field or before the enemy.
3. GRAND MEDAL
An oval medal in silver. Size: 38 mm high, 33 mm wide. Ribbon: 32 mm wide, blue background, a 3 mm black and 3 mm white stripe in the centre and 3 mm red at the ends.
An elephant with the inscription beneath ‘The Grand Medal’.
The Coat of Arms of Ghana.
Eligibility
May be awarded to all ranks of the Ghana Armed Forces and members of the Public Services for faithful and loyal service to the Republic.
Conditions for the award: May be awarded to all ranks of the Ghana Armed Forces, and members of the Public Services for faithful and loyal service to the Republic.
4. MEDAL FOR GALLANTRY
A circular medal in silver. Size: 37 mm diameter. Ribbon: 32 mm wide, 13 mm blue centre band, 3 mm red stripes on either side and 6-5 mm yellow at ends.
Obverse: A representation of Elmina Castle with inscription below ‘Gallantry’. Reverse: The Coat of Arms of Ghana.
Eligibility
For civilians. Also, members of the uniformed services are eligible for this medal in respect of acts of gallantry which do not qualify them for the Distinguished Service Order. In the case of the Armed Forces, the award is made for acts of gallantry in peacetime only.
Conditions for award: This medal is instituted for the recognition of acts of gallantry, particularly in the saving of life and/or property.
