The Presidency has directed all Ministers of State, Chief Executive Officers of state institutions, and other political appointees to refrain from participating in, sponsoring, endorsing, attending, or accepting awards from private organisations unless they receive express approval from the Office of the President.
The directive was contained in a circular dated June 8, 2026, and signed by Secretary to the President, Dr. Callistus Mahama, on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama.
According to the Presidency, the decision follows growing concern over what it describes as an increasing trend of public officials accepting awards from private organisations that claim to recognise individuals as the “best-performing,” “most outstanding,” or “most influential” public office holders.
The circular noted that many of the organisations conferring such awards are largely unknown to the public, with unclear credentials and no transparent, objective, or verifiable criteria for assessing the performance of public officials.
It warned that the proliferation of such awards could undermine the integrity of public service, create misconceptions about government performance assessments, and expose the government to unnecessary public criticism and embarrassment.
The Presidency stressed that public office is a solemn responsibility entrusted to officials by the people of Ghana and that performance cannot be measured by privately organised ceremonies, self-appointed rating bodies, or commercial award schemes whose methodologies are not subject to public scrutiny.
As a result, all ministers, heads of state-owned enterprises, and other political appointees have been instructed to avoid any involvement with such award schemes unless specifically authorised by the Presidency.
The government reiterated that the true measure of the performance of ministers and chief executives lies in their ability to meet policy objectives, implement programmes effectively, and achieve sector-specific targets outlined in the governing party’s manifesto and the government’s development agenda.
The circular further indicated that public officials would be assessed based on tangible outcomes, measurable impact, effective service delivery, prudent management of public resources, and the successful implementation of government policies and programmes.
The Presidency also disclosed plans to undertake a comprehensive review of the performance of ministers and chief executive officers. Findings from the review will serve as a basis for decisions on retention in office, reassignment of responsibilities, and any future cabinet or executive restructuring.
The directive urged public officials to focus their attention on delivering results for the people of Ghana rather than pursuing external recognition schemes of questionable credibility.
The circular was distributed to all Ministers of State and Chief Executive Officers of state-owned enterprises, with copies sent to the Vice President and the Chief of Staff.
