President John Dramani Mahama has announced an immediate suspension of international travel by boards of state-owned enterprises and public institutions for training, conferences, retreats, and study tours funded with public money. The directive, issued from Jubilee House on March 5 and signed by Presidential Secretary Callistus Mahama, comes in response to growing concern over the rising costs of such trips.
According to the presidency, the measure addresses a troubling trend of frequent overseas travel by board members that has placed undue strain on the national budget. The ban applies across all state-owned enterprises and public institutions, halting what the government described as an increasingly costly practice. “It has come to the attention of the President that some Boards of State-Owned Enterprises and other public institutions have increasingly undertaken international travel for training programmes, retreats, conferences, and study tours,” the directive noted.
While acknowledging the importance of exposure to international best practice and continuous professional development, the government expressed serious reservations about the cumulative cost of such travel, which often involved multiple board members and extended itineraries. The presidency noted that expenditure on airfares, accommodation, per diems and associated logistics had become a source of concern at a time when firm measures were being implemented to ensure fiscal discipline.
The ban is comprehensive and takes effect immediately. Boards are prohibited from undertaking any international travel for training, retreats, conferences or study tours funded directly or indirectly from public resources. However, the directive makes provision for exceptional circumstances where an international engagement is deemed absolutely necessary and cannot reasonably be conducted locally or through virtual means. In such cases, a formal request must be submitted through the sector minister to the Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, seeking the express approval of the President before any commitments are made.
Any request for exceptional approval must be supported by a comprehensive justification. This should clearly outline the purpose and expected outcomes of the travel, its strategic relevance to the institution’s mandate, the proposed number of participants, the estimated total cost, and a compelling explanation of why the objectives cannot be achieved through local or virtual alternatives.
The directive further urges ministries and their affiliated institutions to prioritise cost-effective options such as local training programmes, in-country retreats, and collaborations with reputable universities, professional bodies, and local institutions. Where specialized expertise is required, institutions are advised to consider virtual platforms, technical exchanges, or short-term expert engagements within Ghana, rather than resorting to international travel involving full board delegations.
Ministers have been instructed to ensure that boards focus their activities primarily on their statutory oversight and governance responsibilities, and that any training or capacity-building initiatives are carefully assessed for value, necessity and cost-effectiveness. The presidency described the directive as part of a broader government effort to strengthen expenditure controls, reduce non-essential public spending, and redirect scarce national resources toward priority programmes, infrastructure development and social interventions that directly benefit Ghanaians.
All ministers have been requested to bring the directive to the immediate attention of boards, chief executive officers and management teams of state-owned enterprises and public institutions under their supervision, and to ensure strict compliance. The presidency said the cooperation of all ministries in enforcing the directive was highly appreciated.
The statement concluded with formal assurances conveyed on behalf of the President.
Source: GraphicOnline
