The award, presented at the Ministry's 2019 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, in Accra, is in recognition of his outstanding leadership in strengthening Ghana's role in international affairs.

A citation accompanying the award, read by the Foreign Affairs Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, said "In recognition of your outstanding leadership of Ghana's Foreign Policy Community, and as the only second Minister of Foreign Affairs to become Head of State, the Foreign Service Officers of the Republic of Ghana confer on you the Foreign Service Special Recognition Award for 2019".

"Your support for the work of the Ministry and Ghana's diplomacy is unalloyed, and we welcome the strong engagement you avail us for the implementation of Ghana's foreign policy goals, including the execution of the country's foreign economic objectives in support of national development.

"We commend your support for the proposals of the Ministry in areas, such as the extension of Ghana's diplomatic reach abroad, through the opening of new missions and consular posts, improvements in some of the conditions of service of officers abroad, and the modernisation drive of the Ministry to become a globally competitive Foreign Service," the Minister said.

Madam Ayorkor Botchwey assured the President that the Ministry, under his charge, had committed itself to actively supporting the agenda of maintaining a stable, united and a safe country in the quest to build a prosperous nation.

"We will, therefore, continue to work to provide an effective external interface towards the achievement of the agenda of a 'Ghana Beyond Aid' through Ghana's diplomatic representation abroad, which comprises 53 diplomatic missions, two permanent missions to the United Nations and 11 consular posts".

President Akufo-Addo said he was humbled by the award, and registered his appreciation for the honour done him.

He praised the diligence and professionalism of Ghana's Foreign Service personnel and assured that his administration would lend all the support that the Ministry needed to enhance its standing in the global community.