Presidency bars Ministers, CEOs from participating in private award schemes without approval
Mahama orders strict approval process for all award-related engagements by public officials
The Office of the President has directed Ministers of State, Chief Executive Officers of state institutions, and other political appointees to refrain from participating in, sponsoring, endorsing, attending, or accepting awards from private organisations unless they receive prior authorisation from the Presidency.
The directive, contained in a circular dated June 8, and signed by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Callistus Mahama, cited growing concerns over the increasing number of public officials receiving awards from private entities claiming to recognise them as “best-performing,” “most outstanding,” or “most influential” office holders.
According to the Presidency, many of the organisations conferring such awards are largely unknown to the public, possess unclear credentials, and often lack transparent, objective, and verifiable criteria for assessing the performance of public officials.
The circular warned that the proliferation of such awards could undermine the integrity of public service, create misconceptions about government performance assessments, and expose the government to unnecessary public criticism and embarrassment.
“Public office is a solemn responsibility entrusted to officials by the people of Ghana,” the statement noted, adding that performance in public office cannot be measured by privately organised ceremonies, self-appointed rating bodies, or commercial award schemes whose methodologies and standards are not subject to public scrutiny.
As a result, President John Dramani Mahama has directed all affected officials to desist from engaging with such award schemes unless expressly authorised by the Office of the President.
The Presidency further stressed that the true measure of the performance of ministers and chief executives lies in their ability to meet policy objectives, implement government programmes, and achieve sector-specific targets outlined in the government’s development agenda and performance agreements.
The circular indicated that public officials will be assessed based on tangible outcomes, measurable impact, effective service delivery, prudent management of public resources, and the successful implementation of government policies and programmes.
The President also announced that the Presidency will, in due course, undertake a comprehensive review of the performance of ministers and chief executive officers.
The findings of the review, the statement said, will inform decisions on retention, reassignment of responsibilities, and any future Cabinet or executive restructuring.
The Office of the President encouraged public officials to focus their full attention on delivering results for the people of Ghana rather than pursuing external recognition from organisations of questionable credibility.
The directive was distributed to all Ministers of State and Chief Executive Officers of State-Owned Enterprises, with copies sent to the Vice President and the Chief of Staff.
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