Presidency reaffirms ban on vehicle acquisition by outgoing appointees

Kweku Zurek Dec - 11 - 2024 , 16:21 2 minutes read

The Office of the President has reiterated its policy prohibiting outgoing Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Regional Ministers, and other political appointees from acquiring official government vehicles as the current administration concludes its term.

In a release issued on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, the Communications Directorate at Jubilee House emphasised that the directive, first issued at the end of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s first term in 2020, remains fully in effect.

The statement clarified, “No official vehicle shall be acquired by any appointee of the current administration as the term concludes.” This prohibition extends to Ministers of State, Deputy Ministers, Regional Ministers, Special Assistants, Special Aides to the President and Vice President, and appointees serving as Chairpersons or Members of Statutory Boards and Corporations.

Departure from past practices

While some previous administrations permitted appointees to purchase one official saloon vehicle through valuation by the State Transport Company Ltd., President Akufo-Addo has maintained that this practice will not apply under his leadership.

The statement affirmed, “At the conclusion of President Nana Addo Dankwa 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.”

Deadline for returning vehicles

The Office of the President has directed all government vehicles in the possession of appointees to be returned to the Chief Directors of their respective ministries by Friday, January 3, 2025.

The statement said the directive underscores President Akufo-Addo’s “commitment to accountability and the responsible management of state resources.”

The Office of the President anticipates full compliance from all appointees. The release concluded, “The Office of the President anticipates the cooperation of all appointees in adhering to this important measure.”