Mahama Bans Ministers CEOs From Private Awards Without Presidential Nod

President John Dramani Mahama has banned all Ministers of State and Chief Executive Officers of State Institutions from accepting awards from private organizations. They must now get approval from the Office of the President first. This new rule was announced on Monday, June 8. It aims to protect the reputation of public service. The presidency is worried about a growing trend. Public officials are receiving awards from groups with unclear backgrounds. These groups often lack credible assessment methods. The directive stated that many award-giving bodies are not well-known. Their credentials and selection processes are often not clear. There are no transparent or verifiable ways to judge performance. This could lead to public criticism of officials and reduce trust in government. Appointees are cautioned against participating in, sponsoring, or accepting awards from private ceremonies. They should not attend or endorse these events without presidential permission. President Mahama called some organizers "self-appointed rating bodies." He said their methods are not tested or publicly reviewed. He reminded officials that public office is a trust. The people of Ghana have given them this responsibility. Performance in office is not measured by private award ceremonies. The true measure is delivering government policies and targets. These include goals in the NDC manifesto and the national development plan. The directive also signals closer monitoring of government performance. President Mahama announced a full review of Ministers and CEOs soon. This review will influence decisions about their jobs, transfers, and government restructuring. He urged appointees to focus on delivering results for Ghanaians. They should not chase external recognition instead. This directive comes after the "Ghana Ministers of State Excellence Awards." A private firm called Big Events Ghana organized these awards. They have honored many ministers and chief executives over time. The organizers have not addressed any payment allegations publicly.