President of Ghana places ban on foreign travels by government officials

desmond frimpong 11:32 - 25 June 2018

A statement issued by the Office of the President and signed by the Chief of Staff, Madam Akosua Frema Osei-Opare asked the affected officials to comply strictly to the directive until guidelines for future foreign travels was communicated to them.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has placed a temporary ban on all foreign travels by government officials to minimize disruptions to “governments’ domestic work”

The directive which excludes the Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister, affects all other ministers, their deputies, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, as well as heads of government agencies.

“The President of the Republic has directed that, all foreign travels by Hon. Ministers, Deputy Ministers, MMDCEs and Heads of Government Agencies be temporarily suspended with immediate effect. Guidelines in respect of future foreign travels aimed at minimizing disruption to Government's domestic work will be commun"

The last time a similar travel restriction fro government officials was imposed was in December 2015 under the John Mahama government where he banned public officials from first-class air travel as part of efforts to cut wasteful spending.

Some officials in government have had the cause to complain about incessant travels of some appointees who in most cases are unable to justify why they travelled outside the country.