President John Dramani Mahama has placed a ban on all “non-essential travels” of his appointees as part of measures to cut down on the cost of running his government.
The President has also imposed an embargo on first class travels for his appointees henceforth.
President Mahama and Vice Pres Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang (seated) with the ministers after the swearing in
Swearing into office 17 ministers at the Presidency in Accra on Friday, President Mahama said his appointees must live within the means of the economic situations of the country.
According to him, the resources with which his government would be working with belonged to the people and must not be wasted on opulence and extravagance.
“I’ve asked the Chief of Staff to write to all government appointees that I’ve imposed a ban on non-essential travels forthwith to cut down on expenditure.
“Any travel that is deemed essential and necessary must be cleared first with the office of the Chief of Staff and such travels would have to be undertaken in modesty. No first class,” the President directed.
Government, President Mahama said would hold the appointees to the strictest form of accountability and decorum, and that all traces of affluence and lavish lifestyle must be avoided.
The people of Ghana, he said were enduring difficult times occasioned by hardships resulting from the economic mismanagement of the last eight years and that the current regime must not exacerbate the situation.
“Ours is to work to lift them out of this hole and not to compound it further,” he emphasized.
A code of conduct for the appointees, President Mahama said was in the offing to regulate how they carried themselves in the discharge of their duties.
“This will leave you in no doubt about what you can do and what you cannot do whiles serving in public office. You must make this code of conduct your guide and keep it like a Bible by your bedside,” he stressed.
The 17 newly sworn in ministers are made up of seven sector ministers, two ministers of state and eight regional ministers.
They are Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, Labour, Jobs and Employment; Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Environment, Science and Technology; Sam Nartey George, Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations; Kofi Iddie Adams, Sports and Recreation; Joseph Bukari Nikpe, Transport; Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Health; and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Foreign Affairs.
Others are Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister of State, Government Communications; Seidu Issifu, Minister of State, Climate Change and Sustainability; Mrs Charity Gardener, Regional Minister, Ahafo; Salisu Be-Awuribe, Savannah; and Joseph Nelson, Western.
The rest are Wilbert Petty Brentum, Western North; Joseph Addae Akwaboa, Bono; Francis Owusu Antwi, Bono East; Eduamoah Ekow Panyin Okyere, Central; and Puozuing Charles Lwanga, Upper West.
BY JULIUS YAO PE
