Government Appointees Ordered to Return Official Vehicles, Says President Akufo-Addo

ACCRA: President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has issued a directive mandating that all government appointees return the vehicles assigned to them, as part of the transition process to the incoming administration. The directive affects a wide range of officials including Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Regional Ministers, and other political appointees.According to Ghana News Agency, the vehicles must be returned to the Chief Directors of the respective Ministries by Friday, January 3, 2025. This action is part of a broader effort to ensure accountability and responsible management of state resources, as emphasized in a statement from the Communications Directorate of the Office of the President. The statement urges appointees to comply strictly with the instruction.The current administration under Nana Akufo-Addo will conclude its term on January 7 next year, making way for the newly-elected President, John Dramani Mahama, who secured victory in the 2024 General Election with 56.55 percent of the total valid votes.President Akufo-Addo has also inaugurated a joint Transition Team to facilitate a smooth handover of power on December 11. The statement further clarifies that the previous practice allowing appointees to purchase an official saloon vehicle through a valuation process will not be upheld. "No official vehicle shall be acquired by any appointee of the current Administration as the term concludes," the statement added.