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March 8, 2026
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President Mahama bans foreign travel for boards of SOEs and public institutions over rising costs
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Policy
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Key Points
- President John Dramani Mahama has ordered an immediate halt to state-funded international travel for training, conferences, retreats, and study tours by boards of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and public institutions.
- The directive, dated March 5, 2026, aims to strengthen fiscal discipline and ensure prudent management of national resources, citing growing concerns over the frequency and cost of such trips.
- Exceptional international engagements may be considered necessary, but require formal request and express approval from the President through the Chief of Staff, with detailed justification.
- The government strongly encourages prioritizing local training programs, in-country retreats, and virtual platforms as cost-effective alternatives for capacity development.
- This policy is part of a broader strategy to control non-essential public spending and redirect scarce national resources towards priority programs, infrastructure development, and social interventions benefiting Ghanaians.
Why This Matters
This directive is highly significant for Ghana as it directly addresses issues of fiscal discipline and public resource management, which are critical for economic stability. By curbing non-essential international travel, the government aims to free up substantial funds that can be redirected towards crucial national priorities like infrastructure and social development. This move could improve Ghana's financial health, reduce public debt, and enhance accountability in public institutions.
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