Ghana's President, John Agyekum Kufuor yesterday conferred the second highest national honour, the Order of the Volta on members of the senior national team, the Black Stars.

The award was in honour of the team's impressive performance at the World Cup in Germany.

The award is government’s appreciation of the team’s achievement - emerging as the only African team to make the knockout round of the competition.

More than half of the team and their technical handlers received their medals at the Castle, Osu.

The president expressed gratitude to the players and encouraged them to build on the achievement for greater laurels in the future.

"Ghana over the past fortnight has been experiencing a wave of confidence, happiness and goodwill in a way we haven't experienced before, all because of the exploits of the Black Stars," Kufuor said at a reception for the team on Monday.

"Before our team left [for Germany], not many of us thought we had any chance at all, because the tournament was a gathering of the mighty and powerful.

"[But] the team went and exhibited itself so well that the whole world is asking to know where Ghana is on the world map.

"That is why we are gathered here to confer these honours to you for the work you've done for Ghana.

"We cannot really put money to the value on your achievement.

"Within the short space of two weeks you've raised the flag of Ghana so high, to levels that even some of the most powerful nations in the world are beginning to look at Ghana," the president said.

FA president, Kwesi Nyantakyi was the first to be decorated with the Order of the Volta by president Kufour.

Kwesi Nyantakyi paid tribute to government and the teams sponsors for the tremendous support it provided during the campaign at the 2006 World Cup.

Kwesi Nyantakyi, who led the team to the ceremony at the Castle, said the FA could not have overseen the success of the Stars without government’s support.

"Our biggest gratitude goes to the President and government for the support.

"We thank the ministry and our sponsors who contributed towards the campaign.

"We congratulate Ratomir Dujkovic and the management team.

"The playing body would always be remembered for the honour and dignity brought to our land.

"We did not only participate but competed with with the big nations.

"We are grateful for the feat that the team has chalked and say a big thank you to all," Kwesi Nyantakyi said.

Players who picked up their awards included Stephen Appiah, John Mensah, Samuel Osei Kuffour, Michael Essein, Sulley Ali Muntari, Razak Pimpong, Richard Kingston and Hans Adu Sapei.

The rest of the players also present to be conferred with the awards are Derek Boateng, Emmanuel Addoquaye Pappoe, Sammy Adjei, George Owu, Dan Quaye, Asamoah Djan and Haminu Dramani.

The Grand Medal award was also conferred on members of the management team and the technical team.

They included Fred Pappoe, Randy Abbey, Kofi Nsiah, Oheneba Charles and J.Y Appiah.

For members of the technical who were present to pick their honour from the President were Selas Tetteh, Edward Ansah, Opoku Afriyie, Jones Attuquayefio, Sam Arday, Charles Botchway, Allen Akaba and Prof. Darko.

All members of the team who were not present would be decorated with their awards at a later date.


**NB: To view pictures of this historic ceremony, please visit the Photo Gallery.