The Federal President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, has conferred on three distinguished Ghanaians and a German resident in Ghana, one of his country's prestigious awards.
The award, Federal Cross of Merit, were presented to a renowned Ghanaian heart surgeon, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng; a former German national team footballer, Gerald Asamoah; Dr Ralph Nyadu-Addo and a former representative of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung in Ghana, Martin Wilde, for their outstanding contributions to strengthening the enduring partnership between Germany and Ghana.
Mr Steinmeier, who is on a three-day visit to Ghana presented the awards to them on Monday night (Nov 3, 2025) at a brief ceremony held at the residence of the German Ambassador to Ghana, Frederik Landshoft.
Present were former President of Ghana, John Agyekum Kufuor, Mr Landshoft and relations of awardees.
Speaking in German through a translator, Mr Steinmeier explained why each of the four awardees was presented with the award.
For Professor Frimpong-Boateng, who had his medical education and also started his medical practice in Germany, the German President said he had maintained close ties with his German alma mater, and had not only facilitated but actively advanced the exchange of medical professionals and research collaboration between the two countries with all his strength and dedication.
He said after Professor Frimpong-Boateng completed his medical studies, he began his specialist training at the Hanover Medical School, where he became a cardiac surgeon.
On his return to Ghana later, he said Professor Frimpong-Boateng established the National Cardiothoracic Centre adding that he also founded a charitable foundation to enable low-income patients to undergo life-saving operations thus, combining medical excellence with social commitment in a truly exemplary way.
For Dr Nyadu-Addo, whom he described as a true pioneer of Ghana-German friendship, facilitator and bridge-builder, he said he had played a leading role in establishing a German centre which had since promoted the study of German language and helped students access study opportunities in Germany.
He said for two decades, Dr Nyadu-Addo had also inspired students across Ghana to pursue their studies in Germany, fostered exchange and built partnerships including with the Technical University of Munich and his alma mater, the University of Leipzig.
"He has been and continues to be the most important contact person in Kumasi for German delegations and for the German embassy," he said.
For Gerald Asamoah, who went to Germany at age 12 , became a German citizen, became a key player for Schalke 04 and an outstanding striker in the German national football team, Mr Steinmeier said he was being honoured not for his sporting achievements but for his many years of dedication to children with heart conditions and for his contribution to Ghana-German friendship.
He explained that in 2007, Mr Asamoah founded the Gerald Asamoah Foundation for Children with Heart diseases and that foundation regularly brought German medical professionals to Ghana to perform surgeries and save the lives of children.
In addition, he said Mr Asamoah served as an ambassador for the School Without Racism initiative and he was deeply engaged in numerous projects that promoted social cohesion.
Mr Steinmeier said Mr Wilde was being recognised for his outstanding contribution to the development of Ghana's educational sector and his efforts in fostering opportunities for young Ghanaian graduates to pursue technical training in Germany.
He said after completing his tenure as a representative of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Mr Wilde chose to remain in Ghana where over the years he had been actively involved in development cooperation, promotion of educational initiatives and the strengthening of civil society relations .
He said through his work with the Don Bosco Technical Institute, Mr Wilde had achieved remarkable milestones in advancing technical and vocational education.
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