Return official vehicles by January 3 - Akufo-Addo directs appointees

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has directed that no government appointee in the outgoing administration will be allowed to acquire a state vehicle. 

He subsequently urged all outgoing ministers, deputy ministers, regional ministers and other political appointees to return government vehicles in their possession to the Chief Directors of the relevant ministries not later than Friday, January 3, 2025.

The directive was contained in a statement issued by the Office of the President and signed by the Director of Communications at the seat of government, Eugene Arhin, yesterday.

No way

The statement stressed that “no official vehicle shall be acquired by any appointee of the current administration as the term concludes.”

“For clarity, all ministers of state, deputy ministers, regional ministers, special assistants, special aides to the President and Vice-President, and other political appointees, including those serving as chairpersons or members of statutory boards and corporations, are required to comply strictly with this directive,” the statement added.

It further stressed that while past administrations had adhered to a convention allowing appointees to acquire one official saloon vehicle through valuation by the State Transport Company Ltd., that practice would not be applicable under this administration.

Earlier directive

At the end of President Akufo-Addo’s first term in 2020, a directive was issued prohibiting ministers, deputy ministers, regional ministers, special assistants, special aides to the President and Vice-President, and all other political appointees under the Presidential Office Act, 1993 (Act 463) from acquiring government vehicles.

The statement emphasised that the earlier directive was still in full effect as the current administration approached its end.

It added that the directive underscored the President's commitment to accountability and responsible management of state resources.  

“The Office of the President anticipates the cooperation of all appointees in adhering to this important measure,” the statement added.