President John Dramani Mahama has delivered a stern warning to members of his administration and those at the helm of State Owned Enterprises (SOEs), condemning conflict of interest, abuse of office and the wanton misuse of state property.
Mr. President said all public officials entrusted with the administration of the state and its assets had a duty to behave with the utmost integrity, transparency and accountability, assuring that such ill behavior would not be tolerated by his government as it will erode public trust. Newscard
President Mahama gave the warning during his address to governing boards and chief executive officers of State Owned Enterprises at the 2026 State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA) governing boards and CEO conference on Thursday September 10, 2026.
The SIGA summit, which sought to take a look at issues of governance and accountability, public institutions and institutional performance and effective use of state property, brought together both ruling boards and CEO of government companies.
President Mahama told the gathering that all appointees and board members were responsible for acting in the national interest and ensured that all decisions made under their authority were justifiable.
He pleaded with ruling boards and managers to always make ensure that decisions were in conformity with the law and principles guiding corporate governance.
“Ladies and gentlemen this administration does not believe in conflict of interest and abuse of power, procurement must be compliant with the law and must be competitive and transparent,’’ he said.
Recruitment and promotions in state institutions, as well as acquisition of property or investments and disposals must be conducted through appropriate procedure as it was crucial, and had to pass the test of scrutiny to show value for money, President Mahama emphasized.
“Recruitment and promotions shall be based on merit and procurement, contracts and asset disposal shall demonstrate value for money, as well as undergo proper scrutiny,” Mr. President added.
The President’s statement reflects continuing efforts by government to enhance the governance of the public companies, which plays a significant role in energy, transport, finance, communications and infrastructure sectors across the country.
In his warning the President further dwelt on his expectation of managing all public property under state owned enterprises, that as a board member of these enterprises, personal responsibility would be held as far as any land, buildings, equipment and investments placed under their stewardship.
Mr President warned that improper dealings such as sale or encroachment of state land is not a mere administrative mistake, but a serious offense against the people. Editorial Standards
“There will be personal responsibility attached as far as land, buildings, equipment, and investment in custody and it cannot be a mere administrative error as far as selling, enroaching, and dumping state assets is concerned, which is a breach of public trust”, said President Mahama.
The directive is expected to reinforce how SOE boards and executives must hold themselves accountable and how efficiently the resources belonging to the people of Ghana must be managed efficiently as per their mandate.
Many concerns have been raised over the years in public entities on sustainability and profitability of enterprises and state property due to certain governance challenges such as lack of accountability, inefficient procedures and corruption issues, strengthening governance of those areas by its management would greatly address concerns that face public institutions.
President Mahama reiterated accountability will continue to remain paramount for everyone who hold public office. “Government will still be accountable to individuals who have held public trust and responsibilities for state institutions and its assets.”
He insisted that such leaders must make justification that his decisions were done transparently, and had a lawful standing.
Thus, the SIGA ruling board and CEO conference was a moment for officials appointed at the top management of state entities to get it right that leaders must bear responsibility for institutional governance. Corrections Policy
The president did not just want the rules and guidelines to be strictly adhered to by leaders but had to ensure that all state assets were properly protected for posterity to come while avoiding circumstances of conflict of interest with other officials at top-level administration and thereby have the guarantee of the people in one’s leadership for delivering value for money.