President John Dramani Mahama has directed all government appointees to refrain from participating in, endorsing, sponsoring, attending, or accepting awards from private award schemes, in a move aimed at strengthening accountability and preserving the integrity of public service.
The directive, announced by the Presidency on Monday, June 8, comes amid growing concerns about the increasing number of award ceremonies targeting public officials and state institutions. According to the Presidency, such recognitions have the potential to undermine public confidence and create perceptions of conflict of interest within government.
Focus on Results, Not Awards
President Mahama stressed that public officials should be evaluated based on measurable outcomes, policy implementation, and the impact of their work on citizens rather than on plaques, citations, or accolades presented by private organizations. The directive reinforces the administration’s broader commitment to performance-based governance and transparency.
Government sources indicate that the President expects ministers, chief executives of state-owned enterprises, and other appointees to remain focused on delivering tangible results that improve the lives of Ghanaians. The Presidency has signaled that future assessments of appointees will be grounded in performance indicators and service delivery benchmarks rather than public recognition events.
Presidency Signals Tougher Accountability Measures
The latest directive forms part of a broader effort by the Mahama administration to strengthen accountability within government. Reports suggest that the Presidency is considering periodic performance reviews of ministers and heads of state institutions, with future appointments and continued tenure potentially tied to demonstrated achievements.
Political analysts say the move could help restore public confidence in governance by ensuring that officials prioritize national development objectives over personal recognition. Others argue that the directive sends a strong message that public service should be driven by duty and results rather than awards and publicity.
Public Service Integrity at the Center
The Presidency maintains that the decision is intended to safeguard the credibility of government institutions and reinforce ethical standards in public administration. By discouraging participation in private award schemes, the government hopes to eliminate any perception that public officials are seeking validation outside established performance evaluation frameworks.
The directive is expected to take immediate effect and apply to all government appointees across ministries, departments, agencies, and state-owned enterprises.
As the Mahama administration intensifies its focus on accountability and performance, the message from the Presidency is clear: public officials will be judged by the impact of their work and the results they deliver to the Ghanaian people, not by the awards they receive.
