President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo–Addo has suspended all foreign travels by ministers of state, deputy ministers, and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assembly Chief Executives (MMDCEs).
The temporary suspension which takes immediate effect also affects heads of government agencies.
The directive as contained in a statement from the Office of the President and copied to all sector ministers and deputies, all regional ministers and deputies, all MMDCEs and all heads of government agencies, is aimed at “minimizing disruption to Government’s domestic work”.
It further indicates “Guidelines in respect of all future foreign travels will be communicated soon”.
The President has however provided immunity to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, thus exempting her from the temporary ban on foreign travels.
In December 2015, former president John Mahama issued a similar directive – where government officials and public under his administration were banned from first-class air travel as part of efforts to cut wasteful spending.
Below is the full memo:
The President of the Republic has directed that, all foreign travels by Hon. Ministers, Deputy Ministers, MMDCEs and Heads of Government Agencies be temporarily suspended with immediate effect.
Guidelines in respect of future foreign travels aimed at minimizing disruption to Government’s domestic work will be communicated to you shortly.
The Hon. Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration is however exempted from this temporary ban on foreign travels.”
By: Joseph Nii Ankrah
President Akufo-Addo bans ministers and other state officials from traveling abroad
