As part of continuous initiatives to encourage professionalism, civility, and ethical governance in public service, President John Dramani Mahama has formally issued a new Code of Conduct for political appointees.
The Code describes the duties and expectations of ministers, deputy ministers, presidential staff, chief executive officers of state institutions, members of the Council of State, and other executive appointees. It was introduced on Monday, May 5, 2025, and made public on Tuesday, May 6.
The program is a component of the Mahama administration’s larger reforms, which are meant to improve government operations’ accountability, honesty, and transparency.
High standards of behavior, such as honesty, fairness, decency, and compliance with legal and constitutional requirements, are emphasized in the Code. In order to strengthen public confidence in government, it also aims to stop conflicts of interest, abuse of public office, and unethical behavior.
Read below the 10 key instructions appointees must now adhere to under the Code of Conduct:
1. Product Endorsement
No Minister shall endorse any product or service on television or other media, except when appearing in party political advertisements or in non-political public service type advertisements or announcements (e.g. promoting water safety).
The Minister should not expect or accept any fee where the appearances and endorsements are permitted for the public good
2. Prohibition from Purchasing State Assets
a. Ministers are prohibited from purchasing state assets, whether directly or indirectly through surrogates or proxies, with a view to hiding their ownership of the same. This includes lands, buildings, vehicles, farms, equipment, shares and any other movable or immovable property.
b. Where a Minister is found to be in the process of purchasing, or to have purchased, any state asset, either directly or indirectly, he/she will have his/her appointment terminated immediately.
This policy is designed to promote transparency, fairness, and accountability in the management of state assets. It prevents political appointees from using their positions to gain undue advantage in the acquisition of government-owned properties, vehicles, land or businesses. By prohibiting appointees from the purchasing state property, the government ensures that asset disposal remains open, competitive, and accessible to all Ghanaians
3. Declare assets or face dismissal
All appointees must declare their assets. Those who took office before March 31, 2025, had until May 7 to comply or risk losing three months’ salary or even dismissal.
4. No use of public funds for gifts or hampers
The Code prohibits the use of public funds, including internally generated funds, to purchase hampers or gift items, except modest ones given for staff excellence or retirement with prior approval.
5. Declare conflicts of interest
Appointees must disclose all business interests, especially those connected to government agencies. They are forbidden from using their positions to benefit relatives or associates.
6. Ban on nepotism and influence peddling
Using influence to secure contracts or appointments for friends or family is outlawed. Even the appearance of bias is grounds for investigation.
7. Ministerial Travels
a. Where a Minister incurs travel, accommodation and related costs for unofficial activities, the expenses must be covered by the organizers or by the Minister, using personal funds.
b. Where travel and accommodation and related costs are incurred by a Minister for official activities, these expenses should not be reimbursed by Government if they are paid for by recognised third-party event organisers.
c. The following rules apply to ministerial travels:
i. The Minister must seek permission from the Chief of Staff (CoS) before traveling outside the country,
whether the trip is official or not.
8. Sanctions for breach of code
Offenders face penalties ranging from reprimand and suspension to dismissal. The President made clear that “there will be no sacred cows.”
9. Online reporting system for citizens
A digital portal is being established to allow citizens to confidentially report suspected breaches, ensuring community oversight.
10. Gifts
To avoid the creation or appearance of an obligation, gifts in cash or kind are not to be solicited or accepted from commercial enterprises or any other organizations. An exception to this rule is the acceptance of a gift presented during an official visit to an institution.
The exchange of gifts during official government visits is an accepted practice and refusing such a gift may cause offence. Such gifts are considered tokens of the office rather than personal endorsements for the Minister.
a. The Minister must submit any gift received, in Ghana or from overseas, to the Secretary to Cabinet for appropriate display;
b. Where the Minister wishes to retain gifts received, he may do so only if the estimated value does not exceed GHC20,000.00;
c. Where the estimated value of the gift is more than GHC20,000.00, the Minister may retain the gift during office but must declare it to Cabinet in the interest of transparency;
d. Upon leaving office, the Minister must relinquish, to Cabinet, any gift estimated to be worth over GHC20,000.00, unless the Minister obtains the express permission of the President to retain it.