Chief of Staff says only essential foreign travels will be approved

Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, Mrs Akosua Frema Osei-Opare has warned heads of all public entities that without the submission of their 2023 foreign travel plans to her office, request for such travels will not be approved.

Plan must be submitted with relevant documents

She demanded that all relevant documents related to each travel must be attached to the plan.

Only essential travels will be approved

Mrs Osei-Opare reminded them that out of the list they will submit, only essential travels will be approved.

Invitation not obligation to attend

A circular signed by the Chief of Staff, pointed out that an invitation to attend an event does not constitute an obligation to attend.

Affected institutions

The circular was addressed to all Ministers, Regional Ministers, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), heads of government agencies and heads of State Owned Enterprises (SOEs).

It was copied to Secretary to the President, Secretary to the Vice-President and the Chief Director at Jubilee House.

No foreign travel for Board Members

The circular reminded the heads of all public entities no official foreign travel shall be allowed for Board Members.

The office of the Chief of Staff in 2021 published guidelines on travels by Ministers and other appointees.

Ofori-Atta imposed moratorium on all foreign travels

Mrs Osei-Opare reminded them that Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta in the 2023 budget statement presented in November 2022 imposed a moratorium on all foreign travel for all appointees.

“With immediate effect, the government has imposed a moratorium on all foreign travel, except pre-approved critical/statutory travel,” he stated.

Ofori-Atta said the move is one of a raft of measures to cut spending as the current economic crisis bite hard.

Ghanaians have had the cause to complain about incessant travels of some appointees who in most cases are unable to justify why they traveled outside the country.

It will be recalled that on June 21, 2018, President Akufo-Addo directed the temporary suspension of all foreign travels by ministers, deputy ministers, MMDCEs and heads of government agencies.

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