President John Agyekum Kufuor on Thursday conferred the “Order of the Star of Ghana-Companion” on Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, with the observation that the office of the second most important personality of Ghana is very demanding. He stressed: “The high office of the Vice President is very demanding and occupants are in a sense the alter ego of the President.”

He said Vice President Mahama and subsequent occupants of the Office should be entitled to the hitherto highest award of Ghana. President Kufuor was speaking at this year’s National Honours Awards in Accra on the theme: “Branding Ghana for a Prosperous Future.”

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Nayiri Naa Bohugu Mahama Sirigu, Paramount Chief of Mamprugu and Yagbonwura Bawa Doshie, Paramount Chief of Gonja Traditional Area also received the “Order of the Star of Ghana-Companion for their efforts in bringing peace and reconciliation to Dagbon Traditional Area.

The murder of the Paramount Chief of Dagbon, Ya-na Yakubu Andani II in a bloody chieftaincy conflict at Yendi in the Northern Region had since undermined peace and stability in the area. The other recipient of the award in the category was Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, whom President Kufuor described as a leading politician and human rights and the rule of law advocate.

President Kufuor also presented the “Order of the Volta- Companion Division” to some past and present members of the Executive. Other recipients of The Order of the Volta-Companion went to people President Kufuor described as the friends and distinguished development partners of Ghana.

The list embraced Mr Pierre Jacquemot, French Ambassador and Mr Pamela Bridgewater, the outgoing US Ambassador. The rest were Mrs Margaret Mwanakatwe, Managing Director of Barclays Bank, Ghana Limited and Baroness Valerie Ann Amos, former leader of the British House of Lords and former Minister in-charge of International Development. President Kufuor also honoured Alhaji Issah Hayatou, President of the Confederation of African Sports.

The 244 award winners received various honours including: “Order of the Star of Ghana,” “Order of the Volta-Companion,” “Order of the Volta-Officer,” and the Order of the Volta-Member.”

President Kufuor received the maiden Grand Order of the Star and Eagles. It was presented to him by the Chief Justice, Mrs. Georgina Wood. He was dressed in an 18 carat gold collar badge, a sash badge and a breast star.