Accra: President John Dramani Mahama has cautioned Board Chairs of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) to desist from meddling in the day-to-day running of these entities. He emphasized that Board Chairpersons must not assume operational roles within their entities or report to work daily as if they held full-time executive positions.
According to Ghana News Agency, the President made these remarks at the 2026 SIGA Governing Boards and CEOs Conference, emphasizing that a board's role is not merely ceremonial or for self-promotion. Rather, it is tasked with providing strategic direction, policy insights, risk management, integrity of financial reporting, and ensuring institutional performance.
The theme of the conference was 'Creating Public Value Through Leadership, Corporate Governance and Performance Excellence.' President Mahama underscored that executive authority is a measurable responsibility aligned with the law, government policy, and strategic direction approved by the board. He stressed the distinction between governance by the Board and management by the executive team, warning that boards that interfere in routine operations weaken accountability.
He further insisted on the importance of Boards exercising oversight with independence, competence, and integrity. He noted that any Board or Chief Executive that places an entity beyond lawful oversight is unwilling to account for public assets, impacting decisions about their continued tenure.
The President called for transparency and accountability from all public assets, urging each Board to set measurable priorities with management, to be tracked by SIGA. He highlighted that strong performance would be acknowledged, while weaknesses would prompt targeted improvements. Persistent failures or misuse of resources would face consequences.
President Mahama challenged Board chairpersons and executives to evaluate the value they are generating for the people of Ghana, advocating for evidence-based performance assessments. He emphasized that if contributions were lacking, reforms must be implemented to ensure leadership delivers results and corporate governance protects public interest.
Professor Kpesa Whyte, Director-General of SIGA, remarked that the 2025 State Ownership Report marked a defining moment for Ghana's governance, accountability, and performance in managing state enterprises. The report, the second under the current administration, was the first to fully reflect President Mahama's stewardship since his return to office, showcasing a renewed national commitment to transparency and responsible stewardship.