EXPLAINER: What President Mahama's 'Code of Conduct' will mean for his appointees

The Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has announced that President John Dramani Mahama will unveil a code of conduct for all appointees serving under his administration on May 5, 2025.

Once unveiled, appointees will be expected to strictly adhere to the provisions of the code of conduct, with any breach potentially resulting in serious consequences, including disciplinary action from President Mahama.

President Mahama has repeatedly and explicitly stated that corruption and related misconduct will have no place in his administration, emphasising that any appointee found engaging in such activities will face strict consequences.

The key question remains: what are the intended objectives of this code of conduct within the administration, and what potential consequences might appointees face should they fail to comply with its provisions?

Intentions of the code of conduct

The code of conduct is expected to establish clear ethical standards for public officials and officeholders. Furthermore, it aims to explicitly define and regulate the behavior of all presidential appointees, with the objective of fostering accountability, modesty, and responsible governance across all sectors of the administration.

What to expect

The code of conduct is expected to provide comprehensive guidelines on the expected behavior of appointees across all sectors.

These guidelines will cover key areas such as:

1. Personal and professional conduct – ensuring appointees maintain integrity and uphold the dignity of their office.

2. Avoidance of conflicts of interest – promoting impartiality in the execution of duties.

3. Honesty in public service – requiring appointees to act truthfully and transparently at all times.

4. Restraint and receptiveness to constructive criticism – fostering humility and continuous improvement.

5. Decorum in speech – encouraging respectful and professional communication.

6. Prohibition of influence peddling – preventing the misuse of political power for personal gain or preferential treatment.

7. Responsible use of public funds – mandating transparency and accountability in the management of budgetary allocations.

8. The code of conduct is also expected to include provisions that discourage extravagant lifestyles among government appointees, instead promoting frugality and modest living as essential traits of responsible and ethical public service, among other guiding principles.

Possible sanctions for non-compliant appointees

For the government, appointees who fail to comply with the code of conduct may face a range of punitive measures, including being required to issue a formal apology, receiving a reprimand, or, in more severe cases, face dismissals or asked to resign.

MAG/AE

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