President John Dramani Mahama has warned ministers and political appointees that conduct that undermines government cohesion, institutional authority and the effective implementation of government policy will not be tolerated.
The warning comes on a day the President dissolved the Governing Boards of nine state institutions with immediate effect, in what the Presidency has described as part of efforts to strengthen institutional leadership and coordination.
In a notice addressed to all ministers and political appointees, Secretary to the President, Dr Callistus Mahama, said recent changes within government reflected President Mahama’s determination to maintain discipline, accountability and effective leadership across all sectors.
The notice, issued on September 2, pointed to recent ministerial changes, the dissolution of selected boards and an impending reshuffle of chief executives as part of efforts to strengthen institutional leadership, enhance coordination and ensure that government appointees remain aligned with the administration’s policies and priorities.
The President, according to the notice, expects ministers, deputy ministers, chief executives, board members and other political appointees to discharge their responsibilities with integrity, diligence, humility and respect for established administrative procedures.
“Conduct that undermines governmental cohesion, institutional authority or the effective implementation of Government policy will not be tolerated,” the notice said.
The warning comes hours after the Presidency announced the dissolution of the Boards of nine state institutions.
The affected institutions are Prestea Sankofa Gold Limited, the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST), the Volta Aluminium Company Limited (VALCO), Consolidated Bank Ghana Limited (CBG), Ghana Post Company Limited, the Road Maintenance Trust Fund, TDC Ghana Limited, the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and the National Sports Authority.
The dissolution took immediate effect, with the relevant sector ministers directed to take the necessary steps, in accordance with the applicable laws and governing instruments, to implement the decision. The Boards are expected to be reconstituted in due course.
A separate directive signed by Dr Callistus Mahama indicates that management teams of the affected institutions will continue to oversee their day-to-day operations under the supervision of their respective sector ministries pending the appointment of new boards.
However, management will not be permitted to take major policy, financial or contractual decisions requiring Board approval without prior authorisation from the appropriate authority during the interim period.
The dissolution extends across key sectors of the economy, including energy, mining, banking, infrastructure, communications, real estate and sports.
The Presidency did not publicly assign specific reasons for the dissolution of the individual boards, although the move comes amid heightened scrutiny of the performance and governance of state-owned enterprises.
Wednesday’s development also follows a series of recent changes to President Mahama’s ministerial team.
The President announced ministerial reassignments in August, including the movement of Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo from the Labour portfolio to become Minister of State for Special Initiatives, with Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum taking over as Minister for Labour, Employment and Job Creation.
The changes followed an earlier reshuffle that saw further adjustments to ministerial portfolios, extending the administration’s reorganisation beyond individual ministries.
In the latest notice, the Secretary to the President said public office should be seen as a privilege and an opportunity to serve Ghanaians.
He said performance across all sectors would continue to be assessed and that President Mahama would take any further action necessary to safeguard the integrity, effectiveness and responsiveness of his administration.
“All appointees are expected to cooperate and commit as we work together to deliver the Government’s mandate and improve the lives of the Ghanaian people,” the notice added.
The reference to an impending reshuffle of chief executives is likely to heighten attention within government and state institutions, particularly as the administration signals that performance, accountability and alignment with government priorities will remain under assessment.
By Eric Mawuena Egbeta
