President John Dramani Mahama has cautioned boards and Chief Executives of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) against breaching administrative guidelines, conflicts of interest, and abuse of office, warning of swift sanctions.

Speaking at the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA) Governing Board and CEOs Conference in Accra, the President urged public enterprise leaders to enforce a zero-tolerance policy against unlawful asset disposal, opaque procurement, and corrupt practices in all state institutions.

President Mahama reminded public officials that appointments to state boards and executive management positions are solemn public trusts anchored strictly on competence, integrity, and performance.

Emphasising the need for transparency in public sector procurement, President Mahama cautioned against using public office for personal benefit.

“Government will not tolerate conflicts of interest or abuse of office. Procurement must remain lawful, competitive, and transparent,” he stated.

He further emphasised that every piece of land, building, equipment, and public investment managed by state entities belongs to the citizens of Ghana, noting that board members and chief executives serve as temporary trustees accountable to the public.

Addressing persistent internal governance friction within state institutions, President Mahama outlined clear boundaries between oversight and day-to-day operations.

He instructed board chairpersons to avoid holding executive offices or interfering in routine management. He stressed that board roles are strategic rather than operational or ceremonial.

The president warned CEOs against resisting legitimate board oversight. He noted that institutional accountability breaks down when executive authority is treated as a personal privilege rather than a responsibility to deliver results.

Concluding his address, President Mahama tasked SIGA with strictly monitoring compliance and reporting recalcitrant public officers directly to the executive arm of government.

“Any board or chief executive that persistently tolerates governance breaches, frustrates statutory oversight by SIGA, or engages in conflict of interest will face swift administrative consequences,” he warned, urging SIGA to report such executives to the Presidency for immediate sanctions.