ACCRA, Ghana, 10th September: President John Dramani Mahama has warned that persistent underperformance by state-owned enterprises (SOEs) will no longer be tolerated, stressing that institutions that continuously fail to deliver results will face corrective action, including possible changes in leadership.
According to President Mahama, leadership positions within state-owned enterprises must be tied to measurable performance, value creation and profitability, while boards and management must be held accountable for the resources entrusted to them by the Ghanaian people.
Addressing the 2026 Annual Governing and CEOs Conference of the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA) at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, the President said the government would no longer allow commercial state enterprises to rely on the national budget as a permanent financial cushion.
He said every cedi transferred to inefficient state-owned enterprises reduces the government’s capacity to invest in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, roads and social protection.
“Persistent underperformance will trigger corrective action, including leadership changes where necessary,” President Mahama stated.
He directed boards and management of state entities to improve revenue generation, reduce operational costs, manage debt and eliminate structural inefficiencies before they become major fiscal risks.
The President also charged profitable enterprises to honour their dividend obligations, stressing that public returns belong to the people of Ghana.
He said retained earnings must be justified by credible investment plans and should not be used to finance unnecessary comforts for management and boards.
President Mahama further cautioned chief executives that executive authority was not a personal privilege but a measurable responsibility to deliver results.
He said the government would recognize strong performance but would ensure that chronic losses do not continue to attract increasing salaries and allowances.
The President urged all state-owned enterprises to embrace discipline, accountability and measurable public value, emphasizing that the ultimate purpose of public institutions was to improve the lives of Ghanaians.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️)/ Presidential Affairs Correspondent | Ghana 🇬🇭