President John Dramani Mahama has directed that boards of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and other public institutions immediately stop undertaking international travel for training, conferences, retreats, and study tours at the expense of the state.
In a directive issued from the Jubilee House and signed by the Secretary to the President, Callistus Mahama, the government explained that the increasing frequency and cost of such trips have raised concerns about the prudent use of public resources.
The directive highlighted that many of these travels involve multiple board members and extended itineraries, resulting in substantial spending on airfares, accommodation, per diems, and other logistics.
According to the presidency, the move is part of efforts to strengthen fiscal discipline, reduce non-essential public spending, and ensure responsible management of national resources.
Under the new directive, boards are barred from undertaking international travel funded directly or indirectly with public resources unless exceptional approval is granted by the President.
Where such travel is deemed necessary, institutions must submit a formal request through their sector minister, providing detailed justification, including the purpose of the trip, number of participants, estimated cost, and reasons why the objectives cannot be achieved locally or virtually.
The government is also encouraging ministries and agencies to prioritise local training programmes, partnerships with universities and professional bodies in Ghana, as well as virtual engagements, instead of international travel.
