Pay-to-Receive Awards: The growing industry of bought accolades in Ghana

“Not all that glitters is gold,” and nowhere is this truer than in Ghana’s booming awards industry. Once upon a time, awards were sacred—earned through sweat, talent, and undeniable impact. Today, however, a disturbing trend has emerged: recognition is no longer solely about merit but about who can pay the most. The rise of pay-to-receive awards has turned what should be a badge of honour into a mere business transaction, where the highest bidder walks away with a trophy, a medal, a certificate or a plaque.

This growing industry thrives on the desperation of individuals and organizations seeking validation. Politicians, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, media personalities, and even students are targeted with enticing nominations, only to be told that securing the award requires financial commitment. This is what happens:  a system where prestige is for sale, and the value of genuine achievement is steadily eroded.

As Ghana’s award culture continues down this slippery slope, one must ask: What happens when honour is for sale? And more importantly, how do we reclaim the integrity of recognition?

The Rise of Commercialised Award Schemes

Awards were originally designed to celebrate outstanding achievements, inspire excellence, and set a benchmark for quality. Unfortunately, in recent years, an increasing number of organisations have turned award-giving into a commercial venture, targeting politicians, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, media personalities, and even students.

Typically, the process follows a predictable pattern. Nominations are opened for various award categories, and an individual or business receives a congratulatory message informing them of a prestigious nomination. Then comes the catch: they are either required to pay a voting fee per vote or cover “administrative costs” for plaques, dinner, or media publicity. Once payment is made, they are invited to an elaborate awards night, where everyone who has paid leaves with a plaque or medal.

This growing trend has resulted in an industry where recognition is no longer about merit but financial capability. Organisers justify these payments by citing the costs of organising glamorous award nights, media coverage, and logistics. However, the fundamental question remains: if money is the key criterion for receiving an award, what happens to the true essence of recognition? Today, in Ghanaian educational institutions, this industry has become an easy cash cow, exploiting desperate young people eager to boost their résumés. Alarmingly, it is easier to find award schemes on campuses than meaningful capacity-building programs.

Why Do Some People Still Pay for Awards?

In today’s competitive world, credibility is crucial. Many individuals and businesses believe that an award—whether bought or earned—serves as a shortcut to respectability. These accolades are used to attract clients, establish trust, and elevate personal and corporate brands. But do these pay-to-receive award schemes genuinely add value to the awardees? The answer is a resounding no. Any credible organization will always prioritize individuals with merit-based awards over those who paid for recognition.

Public perception plays a vital role in shaping careers and businesses. Many award recipients are aware that their awards may not be strictly merit-based, but they still participate because of the social prestige attached. Since media and policymakers rarely scrutinize these schemes, the cycle continues unchecked.

The most nauseating part is the insistent pleas for votes: “Vote for me,” “A vote is only 1 cedi,” “Voting closes tomorrow, I’m losing, please help me.” Failure to provide assistance when these requests come up often result in being labelled an “enemy of progress.” Meanwhile, organisers cunningly rope in prominent individuals—politicians, business moguls, and respected figures—who unknowingly lend credibility to these fraudulent schemes.

My Personal Experience: Standing Against Commercialised Award Schemes

I am not moved by awards. Everything I do as a young leader is driven by passion and a desire to make a meaningful impact. I have personally rejected numerous award nominations and even declined award conferment due to their monetary requirements.

In 2024, while I was serving as the Speaker of the University of Ghana Parliament House (UGPH), I turned down a nomination for “Student Speaker of the Year” because it required a financial commitment. I openly criticized the commercialisation of the award, which led to threats of legal action from the organisers. Needless to say, the lawsuit never materialized. Again, in March 2025, I received an email informing me of an award conferment, which came with financial requirements. When I questioned the organizers about the necessity of these payments, they justified it with logistical expenses. My stance remains clear: if you lack the financial means to recognize impactful individuals, it is not mandatory to do so.

The world’s most reputable awards, including the Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prize, Grammy Awards, Academy Awards (Oscars), and Fields Medal, do not require recipients to pay a dime for their accolades. These awards maintain their credibility because they are based purely on merit, impact, and excellence—not financial contributions.

Resultant Effects of Pay-to-Receive Awards

The commercialization of awards has far-reaching consequences:

1. Diminished Value of Genuine Achievements: When recognition can be purchased, it undermines the efforts of those who have genuinely worked hard for their success. Because anyone at all irrespective of what they do can buy a recognition they do not merit at the expense of those who truly merit.
2. Erosion of Public Trust: When award schemes become predictable money-making ventures, skepticism grows, and people begin to question the legitimacy of every accolade.
3. Culture of Mediocrity: If awards are up for sale, what incentive remains for individuals to truly excel? These pay-to-receive award schemes in the long run promote a society of people who do not contribute to any change but can still buy their recognition.
4. Financial Exploitation of Young People: Many of these award schemes specifically target students and young professionals, exploiting their desperation for recognition and career advancement.
5. Distortion of Role Models: When people who merely paid for awards are celebrated as icons of success, society is misled into believing that prestige is more valuable than genuine hard work and impact.

Policy Recommendations to Safeguard Award Schemes in Ghana

To address this issue, urgent action is required:

1. Government Intervention: The Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, must regulate award schemes by setting stringent criteria for accreditation and penalizing organizations that exploit young people for financial gain.
2. Legal Framework: A legislative framework should be established to define and regulate award schemes, ensuring transparency and accountability. Award organizers must be required to disclose their selection criteria, funding sources, and evaluation processes.
3. Educational Campaigns: The National Youth Authority, relevant Civil Society Organizations, student associations like the SRC, NUGS, etc should launch awareness campaigns to educate young people on how to distinguish genuine awards from fraudulent ones.
4. Media Accountability: The media, as the fourth estate of government, must investigate and expose fraudulent award schemes rather than blindly promoting them. Journalists must refuse to be complicit in covering up for organizers who are funding their luxury lifestyles at the expense of innocent, desperate young people.
5. Ethical Guidelines for Award Organizers: Award-giving bodies must be encouraged to adopt ethical guidelines that emphasize meritocracy and transparency. Industry associations can play a role in certifying legitimate awards while blacklisting dubious ones.
6. Personal Discernment: Individuals and businesses must critically evaluate the legitimacy of awards before accepting them. The public must learn to question whether an accolade is genuinely earned or merely a financial transaction.

Awards should symbolize hard work, dedication, and real impact. If recognition comes, it should be authentic. If not, the work itself should be enough proof of excellence.

In the grand scheme of things, the real honour is not merely receiving an award—it is in knowing that one has truly earned it.

“When a fisherman starts selling the fish he never caught, the entire market begins to stink.” – West African Proverb

To this end, the government and policymakers must take decisive action against fraudulent award schemes that prey on the aspirations of young people. It is high time we restored the integrity of awards and ensured that recognition remains a symbol of excellence rather than a commodity for sale.

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Author: Justice Alor
Editor: Wahab Abdul Razak