By: Kenneth Appiah Bani
President John Dramani Mahama on Monday unveiled a comprehensive Code of Conduct for his government appointees, designed to ensure transparency and accountability in public office. The code, launched at the Presidency in Accra, applies to all ministers, deputy ministers, presidential staffers, board members and other political appointees including the President and Vice President. It sets clear ethical standards for officeholders and outlines the behaviour expected of them as servants of the public.
The new code is meant to regulate officials’ behaviour and restore public confidence by spelling out strict rules on integrity and public accountability. President Mahama explained that the initiative was “in fulfillment of his 2024 campaign promise to restore discipline, integrity, and accountability” in government. He described it as a “living and enforceable framework” that will guide appointees’ actions and impose clear consequences for any misconduct. In his address, Mahama stressed that Ghanaians “deserve leaders who serve with honor and put the public interest ahead of their personal gain,” and he said the code reflects the administration’s commitment to building “a government that was ethical, responsive, and worthy of the people’s trust”.
Key Provisions and Enforcement.
Ban on gifts or favours: Appointees are prohibited from accepting any gifts, favours or benefits from individuals or businesses with interests in government decisions. Gifts received during official duties that exceed a certain value must be declared and surrendered to the state.
No purchase of state assets: Officials are banned from using their positions to buy or profit from government property. The code explicitly forbids appointees from acquiring any state owned assets including land, vehicles, shares or buildings either directly or through intermediaries.
Confl of interest rules: Appointees must declare all private business interests and avoid any personal conflict with their official duties. They are barred from using their office to favour relatives, friends or companies tied to them in ways that could compromise integrity.
Strict enforcement: Violations carry heavy penalties. The president warned that breaches of the code will incur sanctions ranging from public reprimands and salary forfeiture to immediate dismissal. He insisted these measures would be applied “strictly, without exception” as part of a zero-tolerance approach to corruption.
Mr. Mahama noted that unveiling the code fulfilled a pledge from his 2024 Social Contract campaign platform. In his remarks, he said the initiative was intended to restore “discipline, integrity and accountability” in governance as promised to Ghanaians. Ghana’s Daily Graphic reported that the move formed part of Mahama’s “120-day social contract with Ghanaians” an early reform agenda launched at the start of his term. He emphasized that the code was a tangible first step toward meeting those campaign commitments.
Mahama stressed that the code is a “living and enforceable” document, declaring that under his administration “there will be no sacred cows” when it comes to enforcing the rules. He called on all public officials to serve with honour and affirmed that the new standards would be upheld rigorously to rebuild trust in government.
Video credit: Radio gold
