Chief of Staff To Determine Attendees of 80th United Nations General Assembly- Govt

The government has scrapped the blanket participation in international events by government appointees and staff.

This will be reflect in the upcoming 80th United Nations General Assembly and intended to ensure a “lean, coherent, and cost-effective national representation that aligns with the president’s ‘Resetting Ghana’ priorities.”

A statement by the government on Saturday said the Chief of Staff at the Presidency will determine participants and attendees.

“No Minister, Deputy Minister, Civil or Public Servant, CEO/MD of a State-Owned Enterprise, Political Appointee, or any staff of Government may accept any invitation to, or attend, UNGA 80 or any related side meetings, panels, receptions, bilateral engagements, or third-party events without the express, prior written approval of the Chief of Staff.”

It noted that the directive applies to invitations issued directly by the UN, its agencies, missions, or partner organisations; invitations from development partners, think tanks, NGOs, private sector entities, or any third parties; and any self-initiated participation, observer attendance, or attendance funded by external parties.

It stated that only the official Government delegation, as cleared in writing by the Chief of Staff, will be authorised to travel and participate.

As such the government indicated that any pending or previously accepted invitations are suspended unless and until expressly re-authorised by the Chief of Staff.

It directed, “Requests for consideration must be submitted in writing through the relevant supervising Minister to the Chief of Staff.”

It warned that any official who flouts this directive will face strict sanctions in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Public Office Holders and the Civil and Public Service Codes of Conduct.

Story by Hajara Fuseini