President John Dramani Mahama has banned all his Ministers and appointees from embarking on official foreign travels on first class tickets, as part of efforts to cut down cost.
The President gave the directive on Friday when he swore in 17 Ministers, consisting of nine sector Ministers and eight Regional Ministers.
“I’ve asked the Chief of Staff to write to all government appointees that I have imposed a ban on non-essential travel forthwith to cut down expenditure,” he stated.
“Any travel that is deemed essential and necessary must be cleared first with the office of the Chief of Staff. As such, travels will have to be undertaken in modesty, no first class.”
He cautioned his Ministers and appointees that all traces of affluence and lavish lifestyle were to be avoided.
President Mahama said the people of Ghana were enduring difficult times from the economic mismanagement of the last eight years; adding that “and ours is to work to lift them out of this hole, not to compound it further, not to compound it further”.
He said there would be no room for arrogance and pomposity in his government.
“The resources that you’ll be working with belong to the Ghanaian people who put us in office. Those resources are not to be wasted on opulence and extravagance,” he said.
President Mahama said on Monday, February 10, he would be receiving the report of the Committee he set up to prepare the way for the implementation of Operation Recover all the Loots (ORAL).
He noted that upon receipt of the ORAL report, appropriate action would be taken against those who were deemed to have acted against the economic and financial interests of this country through corruption and related acts.
“While it is all well and good to hold past office holders accountable for their actions, it is even better to prevent the incidence of corruption in the first place,” the President said.
He said in the coming days, as promised in their 120-day plan, he would be outlawing a code of conduct and standards for all government officials to guide the conduct of all his appointees.
“I made a solemn pledge in our Resetting Ghana Manifesto to lead by example and to serve with dedication, selflessness and deep love for the country. I intend to fully keep that pledge to the people of Ghana and my biblical instruction.”
The 17 new Ministers consist of nine sector Ministers and eight Regional Ministers, bringing the total number of Ministers so far to 42.
The nine sector Ministers include Dr Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, Minister of Labour, Jobs, and Employment; Mr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology; and Mr Samuel Nartey George, Minister of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation.
Others are Mr Iddie Adams, Minister of Sports, and Recreation; Mr Joseph Bukari Nikpe, Minister of Transport; Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister of Health and Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister of State in-charge of Government Communications; and Mr Seidu Issifu, Minister of State in-charge of Climate Change and Sustainability.
The eight Regional Ministers are Mrs Charity Gardener, Ahafo Regional Minister; Mr Salisu Be-Awuribe Issifu, Savannah Regional Minister, Mr Wilbert Petty Brentwum, North West Regional Minister; and Mr Joseph Nelson, Western Regional Minister.
The rest are Mr Joseph Addai Akwaboa, Bono Regional Minister; Mr Francis Owusu Antwi, Bono East Regional Minister; Mr Eduamoah Ekow Panyin Okyere, Central Regional Minister; and Mr Puozuing Charles Lwanga Upper West Regional Minister.
The event was witnessed by Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang and other senior Government officials.
GNA