By: Alexander Afriyie
In a significant step towards promoting transparency and accountability in Ghana’s governance, President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled a new Code of Conduct for all political appointees under his administration. The code, launched on May 5, 2025, aims to ensure that public officials uphold the highest standards of ethical behavior and decision-making.
Key Provisions of the Code.
The new Code of Conduct prohibits appointees from engaging in practices that undermine integrity and breach public trust, including.
– Granting state contracts to oneself, relatives, or close allies: President Mahama emphasized that such actions are a fundamental violation of public trust and will be rooted out of his administration.
– Accepting gifts or favors: Appointees are forbidden from accepting gifts or favors from individuals or businesses with an interest in government decisions, except for modest staff recognitions or retirement gifts that must be budgeted for and approved by the Office of the Chief of Staff.
– Buying state assets: The code also prohibits appointees from buying state assets, a practice that has historically raised concerns about corruption and conflict of interest in public office.
– Conflict of interest and nepotism: Appointees must declare all private business interests, especially those with links to government agencies.
Enforcement and Sanctions.
To ensure compliance, President Mahama announced plans to set up a portal for citizens to confidentially report suspected breaches of the code. Violations will attract disciplinary measures, ranging from public reprimands and suspension to outright dismissal ¹.
A Step towards Restoring Public Trust.
The introduction of the Code of Conduct is part of President Mahama’s 120-day social contract with the people of Ghana, aimed at restoring discipline, integrity, and accountability in governance. The president emphasized that the code is not merely symbolic but a serious step towards building a more transparent and accountable administration.
By promoting ethical leadership and accountability, President Mahama’s administration aims to restore public trust and ensure that public officials serve the public interest, rather than personal interests. The Code of Conduct applies to a wide range of government officials, including ministers, deputy ministers, presidential staffers, chief executive officers, board members, and members of the Council of State.