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Refrain from awards from doubtful organisers – President Mahama to all appointees
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President John Dramani Mahama has directed all Ministers of State, Chief Executives of State Institutions, and political appointees to stop accepting awards from private organisations without express approval from the Presidency.
In a letter signed by Secretary to the President Dr. Callistus Mahama, the President expressed concern over the growing trend of public officials receiving “best-performing” and “most influential” awards from little-known private bodies.
The letter noted that most of these organisations lack public credibility, transparent criteria, or verifiable methods for assessing performance.
The President warned that such awards risk undermining public service integrity, creating false impressions about government performance, and exposing the administration to criticism.
“Public office is a solemn responsibility entrusted to officials by the people of Ghana. Performance cannot be measured by privately organised ceremonies or commercial award schemes whose standards are neither established nor subject to public scrutiny,” the directive stated.
Officials have now been ordered to refrain from participating in, sponsoring, endorsing, attending, or accepting awards from such organisations unless authorised by the Office of the President.
The President stressed that government performance will be judged by results, not ceremonies.
The true measure, he said, is delivery on the 2024 NDC Manifesto, government’s development agenda, and sector-specific targets agreed with supervising authorities.
According to him, assessment will focus on tangible outcomes, service delivery, prudent use of public resources, and policy implementation.
He also announced that the Presidency will soon conduct a comprehensive performance review of Ministers and Chief Executives.
The findings will inform decisions on retention, reassignment, and any future Cabinet or executive reshuffle.
Public officials have been urged to focus on executing their mandates and delivering results for Ghanaians, rather than chasing recognition from questionable external schemes.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Veteran Nigerian actor and African screen legend, Pete Edochie, has paid a courtesy call on the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, during his visit to Ghana.
Edochie is in Ghana to launch the African Legacy Project, which includes a book, documentary film and an African Youth Mentorship Initiative targeting about 500,000 young people across the continent.
Mr. Gyamfi welcomed the opportunity for GoldBod to support the mentorship initiative, noting that it aligns with the Board’s Special Intervention Programme and its focus on social impact and economic empowerment.
GoldBod’s work is also referenced in Pete Edochie’s new book, which highlights Ghana’s efforts to ensure its gold resources contribute to national development.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has warned Ghanaians seeking employment in Zambia to be cautious of fraudulent job offers that could expose them to human trafficking and forced involvement in cybercrime.
The warning follows the arrest of six Ghanaians in Lusaka, Zambia, during a joint operation by the Zambia Police Service, the Drug Enforcement Commission and the Department of Immigration on August 23, 2026.
According to the Ministry, the operation targeted a facility suspected of being involved in organised cybercrime activities and led to the arrest of 79 people, including 10 Zambians and 69 foreign nationals.
The Ministry said six of the foreign nationals arrested were Ghanaians.
It explained that reports received by the Ghana High Commission in Lusaka indicated that some of those arrested had been recruited through what appeared to be legitimate employment opportunities, including online data entry jobs.
However, the Ministry said some were allegedly forced into online scam activities after their passports were confiscated by their employers.
It warned that the situation highlights how human trafficking groups are using fake employment opportunities to lure unsuspecting job seekers into illegal activities.
The Ministry has therefore advised Ghanaians travelling to Zambia or seeking employment there to thoroughly verify job offers, recruitment agencies and prospective employers before travelling.
Ghanaians living in Zambia have also been urged to remain vigilant when responding to online job opportunities and maintain regular contact with the Ghana High Commission in Lusaka for consular assistance when necessary.
The Ministry said the government remains committed to protecting the welfare and interests of Ghanaians travelling to or living outside the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
