Public officials in Ghana will no more enjoy the pleasure of travelling first class in Ghana as it’s President John Dramani Mahama has banned such practice.
The purpose of this move is to cut wasteful spending as Ghana embarks in implementing an IMF aid deal to revive state finances, the government said on Tuesday.
Ghana is preparing to hold presidential and parliamentary elections next year and, with the opposition accusing government ministers of inflating contract sums, inappropriate spending will likely be a top campaign issue.
According to the Communications Minister Edward Omane Boamah, the presidency issued the directive this week asking all ministers and other top officials to avoid “unwarranted” foreign trips on the public purse.
It was also revealed that any government official found to have violated this policy would either be dismissed from service or sentenced to a particular jail term
Finance Minister Seth Terkper said”It is expected to be clear enough to enable the general public to see malfeasance if there is (any) and hold the agency involved accountable,”