Immediately following independence, three orders were introduced in Ghana: Order of the Star of Ghana, Order of the Volta, and Ghana Service Order. These were instituted in 1960 as a replacement for the British honours system that was conferred under the Gold Coast and the Dominion of Ghana. The first National Honours and Awards ceremony under the new system was administered by Ghana's first president, Kwame Nkrumah. President Nkrumah planned to introduce two more orders in 1962: the Order of the Black Star and the Most Exalted Order of African Redemption. These efforts appear to have never come to fruition. After the military coup d'état of 1966, the Government of Ghana reverted to three State Honors and sought to remove all vestiges of the Nkrumah administration.
President John Kufuor added a controversial Grand Order of the Star and Eagles of Ghana in June 2008, thereby increasing the number of State Honors to four.
State Honors
Order of the Star of Ghana
The ribbon is 35 mm wide with three equal stripes of red, yellow, and green.
Companion (CSG) - Honorary Division, Civil Division Officer (OSG) - Honorary Division, Civil Division, Military Division Member (MSG) - Civil Division, Military Division, Police Division, Honorary Division
Order of the Volta
Ribbon: navy blue with red borders and a central black stripe.
Companion (CV) - Civil Division, Military Division, Honorary Division Officer (OV) - Civil Division, Military Division, Honorary Division Member (MV) - Civil Division, Military Division, Police Division, Honorary Division
Medal for Gallantry
Ribbon: central navy blue, with towards the border, a thin red stripe and a broad yellow stripe border.
Medal for Gallantry (MG) Honorary Division Civil Division Military Division Police Division
Grand Medal
Honorary Division Civil Division Military Division Police Division Prisons Division
Other Orders
There are Orders within Ghana also awarded by traditional, constitutionally recognized, subnational Kingdoms.
Constitution of the Republic of Ghana 1992 Chieftaincy
Kingdom of Godenu Royal Order of the Crown of Godenu Royal Order of the Elephant of Godenu Royal Order of the Lion of Godenu
Kingdom of Gbi Hohoe-Ahado Royal Order of Merit Royal Order of Adziwonor III
Kingdom of Ashanti Akyem Hwidiem Royal Order of the Golden Leopard
Kingdom of New Sawereso-Seinuah Royal Order of the Cross Royal Order of Agyemang III Royal Order of the Majestic Sun Royal Order of the Tiger and Hawk
Kingdom of Abura Papagya Royal Order of Kwakyen Ababio
Service Awards Grand Medal for GallantryRepublic Day Medal (type II)Revolution Day Medal - 24 February 1966 Gallantry CrossPolice CrossPrison CrossDistinguished Service Order (Military, Police, Prisons)June 4 Revolution Day MedalUnited Nations Peacekeeping Medal - CongoUnited Nations Peacekeeping Medal - Middle East31 December Revolution MedalECOMOG MedalMilitary CrossDistinguished Service CrossFlying CrossGood Conduct MedalMilitary MedalMention in DispatchesLong Service and Efficiency MedalLong Service and Good Conduct MedalEfficiency Medal
See also
National Honours and Awards
References
Gentleman's Military Interest Club, Rest of the World: Medals & Militaria - Ghana