President John Dramani Mahama has issued a stern warning to chief executives of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), announcing that strict sanctions will be applied to any head who fails to complete outstanding audits and submit annual reports by the end of April.
The President made the warning during an engagement with members of the Ghanaian diaspora in Lusaka, Zambia, as part of his official three-day state visit.
According to President Mahama, his administration will no longer tolerate delays, weak oversight, or lack of transparency in the management of public institutions.
“Woe betide any chief executive of a state-owned enterprise who, by the end of April, has not done your audits and presented your annual reports,” he warned, describing the deadline as non-negotiable. While he did not specify the exact sanctions, the President emphasised that defaulting officials will face consequences.
He linked the enforcement of accountability measures to Ghana’s improving economic outlook, noting that renewed investor confidence and increased business activity depend heavily on strong governance and transparency within SOEs.
President Mahama said early signs of economic recovery are already visible, with businesses expanding and citizens enjoying greater mobility as fuel prices become more affordable. He stressed that sustaining this progress requires discipline, responsible leadership, and strict oversight of state-owned enterprises.
He explained that the renewed focus on audits and reporting forms part of broader reforms aimed at protecting public resources, strengthening financial management, and restoring confidence in state institutions.
The President noted that this warning is part of the government’s wider push to tighten governance controls across the public sector as it works to consolidate economic recovery and ensure efficient, accountable operations within SOEs.
