Political Scientist Endorses Govt Directive On Foreign Travels

Government has directed that all government ministers who embark on official foreign travels on first class tickets have been directed by the presidency to stop with immediate effect.

Government has also directed all its ministers to cut down on foreign travels in a bid to curtail government spending.

This was issued in a letter from the office of the president and signed by the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah. 

According to the statement, “It is needless to emphasise the serious impact the current frequent travels abroad by Ministers and Public officials are having on government finances,” he said.

The letter further directed the ministers to use business class instead of first class flights when need arises.

“To arrest the situation, all Hon. Ministers are reminded to restrict foreign travels in their sectors to mandatory international assignments only. All non-essential travels are to be stopped. Hon. Ministers are also entreated to travel by Business Class and not first class, as stated in the letter,” the statement added.

Speaking to Radio Ghana, a Presidential Staffer, Dr Clement Apaak says the directive by the Chief of Staff for foreign travels by Ministers and Government appointees to be reduced or restricted to only mandatory official ones is one of such policies being initiated to help save resources. 

He says the current policy is a follow-up to the no hamper directive issued to public institutions by government two years ago. 

This, he says will help to free resources for more pressing issues. 

Also speaking on the same issue, a Political Scientist at the University of Ghana, Legon, Dr Evans Aggrey Darko says the nation will stand to benefit if government saves resources to create more employment. He said when government's expenditure is more than the revenue it will create problems for the country. 

Dr Aggrey Darko urged government to revamp the monitoring unit that exists at the Flagstaff House in order to sanitize the system and track the success of others in government. 

GBC