Nana Akomea, the Chief Executive Director of the State Transport Company (STC), has criticized the high cost of international travel under Ghana’s consecutive governments.
In an interview, Akomea stated that most international journeys by government leaders are unnecessary, and that some of the people accompanying them are not required to be there.
He also warned that an examination of government leaders’ abroad travels under the 4th Republic will result in a significant scandal in the country.
“I’m sure we’ll tear our hair out if we look at the cost of government trips from the presidency down to the directors under the ministries from 1993, when we launched our democracy, year after year.”
“…what’s the point of going on some of these international trips if all you do is speak and eat?” When I was a member of the legislative foreign affairs committee, we went to the United Nations with around 20 persons from parliament. I recall one of our visits to Kofi Annan, when we were unable to enter his office and were forced to stand outside.
“… the problem of foreign travel is largely systemic, and resolving it will take a concerted effort.” “There will be a tremendous scandal in this country if the Auditor-General can make any edit of international excursions from 1993,” he warned.
The decision by the government to put in measures to restrict these unnecessary travels by government officials, according to STC’s CEO, is quite significant.
All international travel by government officials has been halted, with the exception of approved critical and statutory trips.
The Finance Minister, Ken Offori-Atta, who announced the decision at a news conference, noted that the travel ban and other cost-cutting measures are necessary to relieve the strain on the public purse as the country grapples with economic difficulties.
