The Director-General of the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA) Michael Kpessa-Whyte, has called for stronger accountability and performance across Ghana’s state-owned enterprises, describing it as a “national demand.”
Speaking at the Authority’s 2026 annual conference in Accra, on Wednesday, March 19, Prof. Kpessa-Whyte emphasized that public enterprises must deliver tangible value to citizens and operate as competitive, efficient, and revenue-generating institutions.
“Public ownership must translate into public value,” he stated, adding that the state must act as a disciplined shareholder rather than a passive observer.
According to him, chief executives of specified entities have already been tasked by President John Dramani Mahama to restore discipline, strengthen governance, and deliver professional results.
He described the current period as a critical turning point, where progress must be acknowledged but gaps in performance must be urgently addressed.
Prof. Kpessa-Whyte highlighted improvements in oversight and reporting, noting that coverage has expanded from 147 to 152 entities out of 175. He also pointed to increased compliance in the submission of audited and unaudited financial accounts.
He further indicated that revenue growth has improved across the portfolio, particularly in the energy and financial sectors, with many institutions returning to profitability. Joint venture companies, he added, are also contributing significantly to government dividends.
Despite these gains, he stressed that challenges remain, particularly in achieving full compliance with performance contracts.
“Performance contracts must be universal across all entities,” he said, describing them as the clearest instrument for measuring accountability.
The SIGA Director-General also urged institutions yet to submit their financial statements to do so promptly, reminding them of the April 30 deadline for audited accounts.
He noted that SIGA has intensified engagement with state entities, providing technical guidance and strengthening governance systems to improve performance.
The conference forms part of ongoing efforts by government to reform state-owned enterprises and ensure they contribute effectively to national development.
Prof. Kpessa-Whyte urged public institutions to embrace discipline, transparency, and sustained improvement, stressing that enhanced performance is key to delivering value for money and strengthening the economy.
By Evelyn Tengmaa
