The decision to honour Greater Accra Regional Minister Linda Ocloo at the Ghana Ministers Awards has continued to generate public debate, particularly following recent flooding incidents in parts of Accra.
Some members of the public have questioned whether the recognition was appropriate at a time when the capital is grappling with persistent drainage and flooding challenges. The controversy grew intense, prompting the Presidency to clarify that it neither organised nor endorsed the awards scheme.
Responding to the criticism, Prince Mackay, Founder and Executive Chairman of Big Events Ghana, defended the decision, stating that the award was based strictly on measurable performance within a clearly defined review period.
He stressed that the organisers had clearly communicated the assessment timeline prior to the selection process, noting that the period under review covered January 2025 to May 2026.
According to him, the evaluation focused exclusively on work carried out within that timeframe and not on developments that occurred afterward, including the recent floods.
He maintained that during the review period, the Greater Accra Regional Minister demonstrated commitment to tackling long-standing issues in the region. These efforts, he said, included initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure and enforcing directives against individuals who had encroached on Ramsar sites and other protected areas.
Prince Mackay noted that some of these enforcement measures affected influential persons but insisted the minister remained firm in carrying out her responsibilities.
He further suggested that public perception of the award had been shaped largely by the recent flooding situation rather than an objective assessment of her performance during the designated review period.
According to him, without the timing of the recent rains, the reaction to the award might have been different.