The Presidency has issued a firm directive restricting Ghana’s participation in the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, stressing that only the official government delegation sanctioned by the Chief of Staff will be permitted to attend.
In a statement signed by the Minister for Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Office of the President made it clear that government officials may not accept invitations to UNGA 80 or related side events without prior approval.
“No Minister, Deputy Minister, Civil or Public Servant, CEO/MD of a State-Owned Enterprise, Political Appointee, or any staff of Government may accept any invitation to, or attend, UNGA 80 or any related side meetings, panels, receptions, bilateral engagements, or third-party events without the express, prior written approval of the Chief of Staff.”
“This applies to invitations issued directly by the UN, its agencies, missions, or partner organisations; invitations from development partners, think tanks, NGOs, private sector entities, or any third parties,” the directive stressed.
“Any self-initiated participation, observer attendance, or attendance funded by external parties is strictly prohibited unless cleared in advance.”
The directive further suspends all previously accepted invitations unless expressly re-authorised by the Chief of Staff, adding that requests for clearance must be routed through the relevant supervising Minister.
“Only the official Government delegation, as cleared in writing by the Chief of Staff, will be authorised to travel and participate. Any pending or previously accepted invitations are suspended unless and until expressly re-authorised by the Chief of Staff. Requests for consideration must be submitted in writing through the relevant supervising Minister to the Chief of Staff.”
The statement warned that any official who disregards this directive will “face strict sanctions in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Public Office Holders and the Civil and Public Service Codes of Conduct.”
According to the Presidency, the measure is aimed at ensuring “a lean, coherent, and cost-effective national representation that aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s ‘Resetting Ghana’ priorities.”
By: Ekow Annan/newsalertgh.com
