Accra: The Government has directed all Ministers and public officials intending to participate in the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Meeting in New York to seek clearance from the Chief of Staff. A statement issued by Mr. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Presidential Spokesperson and Minister of State in-charge of Government Communications, highlighted the measure’s intent to ensure a lean, coherent, and cost-effective national representation that aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s ‘Resetting Ghana’ priorities. It reiterated that strict compliance was expected.
According to Ghana News Agency, the statement noted, “The Office of the President wishes to inform the public and all government officials that, pursuant to President John Dramani Mahama’s recent Cabinet pronouncement on participation in international events and related travel, the Chief of Staff has issued a directive governing Ghana’s participation in the 80th UNGA Meeting and all associated events in New York.”
The directive requires that no Minister, Deputy Minister, Civil or Public Servant, Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director (CEO/MD) of a State-Owned Enterprise, Political Appointee, or any staff of Government may accept any invitation to, or attend, UNGA 80 or any related side meetings, panels, receptions, bilateral engagements, or third-party events without the express, prior written approval of the Chief of Staff. This applies to invitations issued directly by the UN, its agencies, missions, or partner organizations; invitations from development partners, think tanks, NGOs, private sector entities, or any third parties; and any self-initiated participation, observer attendance, or attendance funded by external parties.
The statement emphasized that only the official Government delegation, as cleared in writing by the Chief of Staff, would be authorized to travel and participate. Any pending or previously accepted invitations are suspended unless and until expressly re-authorized by the Chief of Staff. Requests for consideration must be submitted in writing through the relevant supervising Minister to the Chief of Staff. Any official who flouts this directive will face strict sanctions in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Public Office Holders and the Civil and Public Service Codes of Conduct.