Features
Award schemes, NOTICEBOARDon merit or for sale?
Across Ghana today, awards schemes have become almost as common as billboards. From business and entertainment to leadership and social impact, dozens of organisations now host glamorous ceremonies promising to honour ‘excellence.’
But behind the glitz, red carpets, and gold-plated plaques, a troubling reality is emerging: for many nominees, recognition is no longer earned; it is purchased.
Paid path to excellence
In interviews across Tamale and Accra, several nominees revealed a pattern that has become all too familiar. They receive a congratulatory call announcing their nomination, often framed as a recognition of hard work and impact.
Days later, the real message follows: they must pay to secure a seat, table, or plaque.
Event organisers often invite high-profile dignitaries’ like regional ministers, public officials, celebrities to appear on their flyers and at their events, creating a façade of legitimacy that convinces nominees and the public alike.
Yet, beneath the polished speeches lies a difficult question: How relevant or credible are these awards?
A young creative professional in Tamale, who asked not to be named, shared her experience.
“They congratulated me for my exceptional work,” she recounted. “But later, they said I had to pay GH¢2,000 for a table and for the plaque. When I said I couldn’t afford it, they told me maybe next year. That’s when I realised it was never about merit.”
The rise of ‘Vote-to-Win’ economy
Beyond direct payments, another trend is sweeping through Ghana’s awards landscape: vote-based competitions where winners are determined not by impact or quality, but by how many votes they can garner often through paid SMS on mobile money platforms.
This has turned recognition into a popularity contest.
“I had to beg people every day,” said a young social entrepreneur. “Friends, strangers, WhatsApp groups everywhere. I thought I was being honoured for my work, but I was really just competing for airtime and mobile money.”
High cost of chasing validation
For some, the pursuit of recognition has come with a heavy financial burden. One woman revealed she spent more than GH¢23,000 on various awards over three years.
“Each organiser said the award would boost my credibility,” she said. “I paid for seats, plaques, adverts everything. I have the awards, but sometimes I wonder if any of them were truly earned,” she added.
While a few beneficiaries argue that such awards help with publicity or branding, many more believe the practice cheapens the meaning of excellence.
Booming industry built on prestige
Award events often staged in luxury hotels with celebrity hosts and elaborate decorations have become lucrative business ventures. They earn revenue through seat sales, sponsorship deals, photography packages, nomination fees, and promotional slots.
A former event planner admitted that financial targets sometimes influence who gets honoured.
“We had quotas,” he said. “If someone expresses interest, we followed up with payment details. Those who couldn’t pay didn’t make the final list,” he revealed.
Growing calls for regulation
Veteran journalist, Frederick Osei Agyemang, described the current situation plainly: “Some of these awards are nothing short of scams. They damage public trust. Awards should reward genuine achievement, not financial contributions.”
He emphasised that while organisers have operational costs, those expenses must not determine who receives recognition.
As the boundary between genuine honour, commercial interest becomes increasingly blurred, many Ghanaians are beginning to question the credibility of these award events.
One young entrepreneur from Tamale, Sidney Adjetey, recalled being informed that he had won an award but to attend the ceremony, he needed to pay for two or three tables ranging between GH¢5,000 and GH¢10,000.
“I kept wondering whether I was truly qualified,” he said. “Because if I am, why must I pay for a seat?”
He added that he has since stopped attending award ceremonies altogether.
“I’d rather invest in my work than spend money on a trophy.”
Future
With public skepticism rising, the pressure for accountability and ethical standards in the award industry is intensifying. Many believe that unless transparency improves, these schemes risk eroding the very essence of honour.
Until reforms take root, one question hangs heavily in the air:
When did honour stop being earned and start being bought?
By Geoffrey Buta, Tamale
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Introduction
In today’s fast-paced, high-achieving society, it’s common to glorify long hours and an unwavering commitment to one’s profession. However, when dedication turns into an obsession, it can have severe and far-reaching consequences.
Workaholism, a pattern of behavior characterised by excessive and compulsive work habits, is a complex and multifaceted issue that affects millions of people worldwide.
Defining workaholism: The Psychology behind the behavior
Workaholism is often driven by a combination of internal and external factors, including:
Internal Pressures:
Perfectionism: an unrelenting drive for flawlessness
Fear of failure: anxiety about not meeting expectations
Need for control: a desire to micromanage every aspect of work and life
External Pressures:
Job demands: high expectations from employers or clients
Organisational culture: a workplace environment that encourages or demands excessive work hours
Societal expectations: pressure to succeed and maintain a certain status
The health consequences: A growing concern
Prolonged workaholism can lead to a range of serious health issues, including:
1. Cardiovascular problems: hypertension, heart disease, and stroke due to chronic stress and neglect of physical health
2. Mental health concerns: anxiety, depression, and burnout, often exacerbated by lack of social support and self-care
3. Sleep disorders: insomnia, sleep deprivation, and related health issues, such as impaired cognitive function and mood disturbances
4. Immune system suppression: increased susceptibility to illnesses, such as colds, flu, and autoimmune diseases
5. Nutritional deficiencies: poor eating habits, weight changes, and related health problems, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease
The lethality risks: A hidden danger
In extreme cases, workaholism can have lethal consequences, including:
1. Sudden cardiac death: increased risk due to chronic stress, hypertension, and neglect of physical health
2. Suicide: work-related stress and pressure can contribute to suicidal ideation, particularly in individuals with underlying mental health conditions
3. Accidents and injuries: fatigue and decreased cognitive function increase the risk of workplace accidents and errors
The social and emotional toll: Relationships and identity
Workaholism can also have devastating effects on personal relationships and overall well-being, leading to:
1. Strained relationships: family, friends, and colleagues may feel neglected, abandoned, or resentful
2. Loss of personal identity: over-identification with work can lead to a loss of interests, hobbies, and sense of purpose outside of work
3. Decreased productivity: burnout and decreased motivation can result in reduced job performance and satisfaction
4. Impaired cognitive function: decreased creativity, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities due to chronic stress and fatigue
Breaking the cycle: Strategies for recovery
Recognising the signs of workaholism is crucial to preventing its negative consequences. Strategies for overcoming workaholism include:
1. Setting boundaries: establishing a healthy work-life balance and prioritising self-care
2. Prioritising self-care: engaging in activities that promote physical and emotional well-being, such as exercise, meditation, and social connections
3. Seeking support: therapy, support groups, and social connections can provide emotional support and guidance
4. Re-evaluating priorities: reassessing values and goals to align with a more balanced and fulfilling life
Conclusion
Workaholism is a serious issue that can have severe and far-reaching consequences for individuals, organisations, and society as a whole. By acknowledging the risks and taking proactive steps to maintain a healthy work-life balance, we can mitigate the negative effects of workaholism and promote overall well-being.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
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How many times have we not made New Year resolutions but have not been able to achieve them?
When we are unable to achieve them we vow to ourselves that at the end of the year, we shall make proper New Year resolutions and this time we will make it happen only for the New Year to travel on and close to the end the story repeats itself.
A lot of people find themselves in this situation and if they were to rate their success, it may hover around 48 per cent. There is a popular quote that is generally attributed to Einstein that” Insanity, is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
“A careful analysis will most likely reveal that, the discipline required to put in the required effort and the consistency required is absent in the execution phase of whatever plan has been put in place to realise the objectives.
Discipline according to the Oxford Dictionary is the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behaviour, with punishment or other undesirable consequences for those failing to comply.
When we say someone is disciplined, what can be observed in his behaviour is consistency whether it is in connection with reporting for events on time, providing a particular service as promised on schedule etc.
In other words, that behaviour has become routine or has become a habit. If 2026 is going to be different from the previous years, as far as the achievement of New Year’s resolutions are concerned, then things must be done in a routine manner which will then ensure consistency.
If the resolution is say a closer walk with God by the end of the year for example, then the plan may be to sleep early enough and be able to wake up at say 5:00 am and pray and meditate on the Word of God.
This must be done every day, that is, you should have the discipline to make this routine behaviour which some people refer to as habit and that is what would ensure the realisation of your objective by the end of the year.
The question of how did you arrive at your new year’s resolution becomes very important. It brings in the God factor, which for me as a believer is very important because if you are say an Entrepreneur, then innovate ideas are what you need and according to Deuteronomy 8:18, innovative ideas to get wealth comes from God.
I believe that to be able to achieve our new year’s resolutions, we must approach them with a project management mindset. We should break the year into periods, either quarterly or monthly and evaluate our performance.
The end of the periods we have chosen should mark the achievement of certain goals or key milestones. This will reveal to us whether we are on track, whether we need to double up or there is the need to adjust certain things.
This year start looking at potential hindrances to the achievement of your resolutions. Check how much time you spend on social media for fun, like following the Akosua Serwaa and Odo Broni story and not for learning something useful that can add value to your life.
On a personal level, I have started cutting the time spent on listening to news and debates on various media platforms and using the time to polish my German and French as one of my resolutions.
Yours may be the time you spend on the phone chatting with friends, so please watch it and adjust especially as a child of God, so you too can have a testimony to share on December 31, 2026, to the glory of God. God bless.
NB: ‘KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
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