Mahama To SOEs: Recruit, Promote On Merit

President John Dramani Mahama has instructed state-owned enterprises and other public institutions to recruit and promote personnel based solely on merit, rejecting the use of political connections, personal relationships, or proximity to power as criteria. Speaking at the SIGA Governing Boards and CEOs’ Conference 2026 in Accra, Mahama emphasized that state institutions must transform into efficient, accountable organizations capable of delivering measurable value to the people of Ghana.

He cautioned that declining to recruit and promote based on merit would result in poor productivity, slow service delivery, and weak accountability. Mahama urged public entities to build institutions rather than personal fiefdoms, develop talent, and establish credible succession plans. He warned against conflicts of interest, abuse of office, and wasteful spending, insisting that procurement must be lawful and competitive, with contracts, investments, and disposal of public assets being scrutinized to ensure value for money.

The President commended several state entities for their improved financial performance in 2025, attributing the gains to factors such as favourable economic conditions, including exchange-rate movements, but cautioned that the real challenge lies in converting these conditions into sustained operational efficiency and stronger underlying performance.

Notable improvements were reported by entities such as the Tema Oil Refinery, Ghana Water Company Limited, and the Ghana Cocoa Board, among others. Mahama directed the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA) to work with boards and management to establish measurable targets for financial performance, service delivery, governance, risk, audits, compliance, and contributions to national development.

Non-compliance with these performance contracts could result in firm consequences, including the termination of appointments.