SERVICE HONOURS ARMED FORCES MEDALS
This is the continuation of our celebration of Ghana Month by bringing you State Honours and Awards, their description and who are eligible to receive them.
This category recognizes military service and individual accomplishments while serving in the Ghana Armed Forces.
The medals and persons eligible for the award are described below.
- MILITARY CROSS
Description: A cross in silver. Size: 44 mm high, 44 mm wide. Ribbon: 32 mm wide, centre 4 mm three equal stripes left to right red, yellow, green, on each side 4 mm purple stripes and 10 mm white. Obverse: An eagle facing left in centre.
Reverse: The inscription ‘For Gallantry in the Face of the Enemy’ in centre.
Eligibility
May be awarded to Commissioned Officers and WOs in the Army and Air Force.
Conditions for award: For gallantry and distinguished service on active service on the ground.
- DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
Description: A cross in silver. Size: 44 mm high, 44 mm wide. Ribbon: 32 mm wide, 13 mm green centre band, 3 mm red stripe at either side, 6:5 mm yellow at ends.
Obverse: In centre a Foul anchor and engraved lines.
Reverse: In centre the inscription ‘Distinguished Service Cross’
Eligibility
May be awarded to Officers of the Ghana Navy of the rank of commander and below.
Conditions for award: For meritorious distinguished services on active service at sea.
- DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS
Description: A cross in silver. Size: 55 mm high, 17 mm wide. Ribbon: 35 mm wide, 3 mm black centre band, on either side 6-5 mm brown stripes, 3 mm white and 6•5 mm red at ends.
Obverse: An eagle’s head turned to left, modern form.
Reverse: In centre a garland of leaves.
Eligibility
May be awarded to Officers and WOs.
Conditions for award: For exceptional valour, courage or devotion to duty while flying on active service.
- DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL
Description: An oval medal in silver. Size: 38 mm high, 33 mm wide. Ribbon: 32 mm wide, red with two 6 mm black stripes separated 10 mm.
Obverse: Crossed swords on a cross.
Reverse: The Coat of Arms of Ghana.
Eligibility
The Distinguished Conduct Medal may be awarded to personnel in the Army, Navy or Air Force in the Field provided that awards in the Navy or Air Force shall be made only for services similar to those undertaken by the Army.
Conditions for award: It will be awarded to WOs and men and equivalent ranks for distinguished conduct on active service.
- MILITARY MEDAL
Description: A circular medal in silver. Size: 37 mm diameter. Ribbon: 35 mm wide, 9 mm green centre band, on either side 3 mm yellow stripes, 7 mm red and 3 mm blue at ends.
Obverse: The double-headed Sword of Ghana surmounted by the Star of Ghana contained within formalised double palm leaves and the inscription beneath ‘Military Medal’.
Reverse: The Coat of Arms of Ghana.
Eligibility
May be awarded to WOs and men.
Conditions for award: For exceptional valour, courage or devotion to duty while on active service.
- DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL
Description: A circular medal in silver. Size: 37 mm diameter. Ribbon: 32 mm wide, 12 mm centre blue band, 5 mm yellow stripes at either side and 5 mm red at ends.
Obverse: A sword and shield contained within formalized double palm leaves in centre surrounded by the inscription ‘Distinguished Service Medal’.
Reverse: The Coat of Arms of Ghana.
Eligibility
May be awarded to Chief Petty Officers and men of the Ghana Navy.
Conditions for award: For active service and example of bravery and resource under fire.
- DISTINGUISHED FLYING MEDAL
Description: A circular medal in silver. Size: 37 mm diameter. Ribbon: 32 mm wide, yellow, two 3 mm green stripes separated 3 mm in centre, 5 mm red at ends.
Obverse: In centre is the Flying Eagle of Ghana, surrounded by the inscription ‘Valour Courage and Devotion’.
Reverse: The Coat of Arms of Ghana.
Eligibility
May be awarded to NCOs and men.
Conditions for award: For exceptional valour, courage and devotion to duty while on active service.
- MENTION IN DESPATCHES
Description: A silver palm leaf 22 mm long.
Eligibility
May be awarded to Officers and men of the Armed Forces.
Conditions for award: For courage and resource in operations against the enemy or act of bravery in peacetime or for continuous good work over a long period.
- LONG SERVICE AND EFFICIENCY MEDAL
Description: A ten-sided medal in silver. Size: 38 mm wide. Ribbon: 32 mm wide, four equal stripes from left to right, green, grey, red, yellow.
Obverse: The inscription ‘Long Service and Efficiency’ surrounding the outer circumference. A Lion device situated within an inner circle with radiating lines, symbolizing the continuation of long service and efficiency.
Reverse: The Coat of Arms of Ghana.
Eligibility
All Commissioned Officers of the Regular Armed Forces.
Conditions for award: The medal shall be awarded for 18 years of efficient total military service and on the recommendation of the Chief of Defence Staff or GOC. Any period of previous Military service for which the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal was awarded will not count for the award of the Long Service and Efficiency Medal.
- LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL
Description: A circular medal in silver. Size: 37 mm diameter. Ribbon: 32 mm wide, green with 9 mm red centre band.
Obverse: Crossed rifles superimposed on three concentric Meshing Wheels surrounded by the inscription ‘Long Service and Good Conduct’.
Reverse: The Coat of Arms of Ghana.
Eligibility
All men of the Regular Armed Forces.
Conditions for award: After 14 years’ service with the Colours, Character grading must be irreproachable for the last five years (which differs from the normal grading of Exemplary).
ISD
