"We shall pass a code of conduct for officeholders and ensure compliance" – President Mahama

As part of efforts to promote accountability, integrity, and dedicated service among public officials, President John Dramani Mahama has vowed to prioritize the passage of a code of conduct for public officeholders in his new administration.

Speaking at the 92nd annual National Convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission in Winneba on Thursday, January 9, President Mahama declared, “We shall pass a code of conduct for our officeholders, and they will strictly abide by that code of conduct.”

The proposed Code of Conduct will establish ethical standards, values, and principles to guide the behavior of public officeholders, ensuring accountability and eliminating corruption. The initiative aligns with Chapter 24 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, which mandates public officials to avoid unethical practices such as conflicts of interest, illicit enrichment, and other forms of misconduct.

This move comes after the previous Nana Akufo-Addo administration failed to pass the code into law, despite repeated promises. However, President Mahama has assured the public that his government will make the bill a priority. Once enacted, the code will serve as a deterrent to corrupt practices and prohibit the misuse of state resources for personal purposes, such as using government vehicles for private activities outside working hours.

President Mahama also reaffirmed his commitment to combating corruption and strengthening Ghana’s justice system. He outlined plans for a comprehensive audit of state-owned enterprises to assess their current status and ensure transparency in their operations.

“We shall carry out a comprehensive audit to establish the status of our state-owned enterprises,” he stated.

Additionally, the President emphasized the importance of his Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL) initiative, which seeks to investigate cases of public asset misappropriation and recover stolen resources.

“We shall operationalize the Operation Recover All Loots and investigate individuals we believe have engaged in the misappropriation of public property, pursuing them to recover such assets,” he added.

President Mahama’s pledge underscores his administration’s focus on promoting ethical governance and holding public officials to high standards of accountability.