The Government of Ghana has introduced stricter expenditure controls by banning state-funded international travel for boards of state-owned enterprises and public institutions, as part of efforts to curb non-essential public spending.
The directive, issued by the Office of the President and signed by the Secretary to the President, Callistus Mahama, instructs all sector ministers to ensure that boards under their supervision immediately suspend overseas travel financed directly or indirectly with public resources.
Under the new policy announced by President John Dramani Mahama, board members will no longer be allowed to undertake foreign trips for training programmes, retreats, conferences or study tours unless they obtain explicit approval from the presidency.
According to the directive, any institution seeking to organise such travel must submit a detailed request through the relevant minister to the Chief of Staff for the President’s consideration. The request must justify the purpose of the trip, outline expected outcomes, state its relevance to the institution’s mandate, indicate the number of participants and provide the estimated total cost.
Institutions must also demonstrate why the objectives of the proposed trip cannot be achieved through local or virtual alternatives.
The presidency explained that the decision follows concerns over rising public expenditure linked to frequent overseas travel by boards, which has led to substantial spending on airfares, accommodation and allowances.
As part of the new approach, ministries and state institutions have been encouraged to prioritise in-country training programmes, local retreats and collaborations with Ghanaian universities and professional bodies.
Where specialised expertise is required, institutions are advised to explore virtual training, technical exchanges or short-term engagements with experts within the country rather than organising large overseas delegations.
Government officials say the measure forms part of broader fiscal discipline policies aimed at reducing unnecessary spending and redirecting public funds toward key development priorities, including infrastructure and social intervention programmes.
Sector ministers have been directed to communicate the new policy immediately to boards, chief executive officers and management teams of all state-owned enterprises and public institutions to ensure full compliance.
