By announcing a prohibition on government officials’ non-essential travel, President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to resource management and modesty.
President Mahama emphasized the importance of fiscal restraint and warned against conceit and excess while speaking at the swearing-in ceremony for 17 ministries.
“The hallmark of this government will be modesty and respect for the Ghanaian people. There will be no room for arrogance and pomposity in this government. The resources that you will 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 stated.
To curb unnecessary spending, the President directed the Chief of Staff to formally communicate the ban to all appointees.
“I have asked the Chief of Staff to write to all government appointees that I have imposed a ban on non-essential travels forthwith to cut down expenditure. Any travel that is deemed essential and necessary must be cleared first with the Chief of Staff, and such travels will have to be undertaken with modesty—no first class,” he declared.
President Mahama also asked appointees to embrace modesty and refrain from displaying wealth, which is consistent with the administration’s emphasis on economic restraint.
This action is a component of the government’s larger plan to guarantee the prudent use of public funds for the benefit of Ghanaians.
