The President has directed the Chief of Staff to formally notify ministers and government appointees about an immediate ban on non-essential travel to reduce government expenditure.
According to the President, any travel deemed essential must receive prior approval from the Chief of Staff, accompanied by strict guidelines to ensure that all official journeys adhere to principles of modesty.
“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.
Mahama also stressed that there would be no room for arrogance or pomposity in his administration.
“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,” President Mahama stated.
The President said this when he swore into office, 17 new ministers at the Jubilee House on February 7.
The ministers sworn in at the Jubilee House are Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah-Akandoh; Sam George, Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation; Sports Minister, Kofi Adams; Minister for Environment and Science, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed; Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa; Transport Minister, Joseph Bukari Nikpe; Minister of State-in-charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu; Labour Minister, Rashid Pelpuo; and Minister of State-in-charge of Climate Change and Sustainability, Issifu Seidu.
Regional Ministers are Ahafo Regional Minister, Charity Gardiner; Savannah Regional Minister, Salifu Bi-Awuribe; Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson; Western North Regional Minister, Wilbert Petty Brentum; Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboa; and Upper West Regional Minister, Charles Lwanga Puozuing.