By Celestine Avi and Seth Eyiah
Lusaka, Zambia – President John Dramani Mahama has issued a strong warning to chief executives of state-owned enterprises (SOEs), saying strict sanctions will apply to any head who fails to complete outstanding audits and submit annual reports by the end of April.
Speaking during an engagement with the Ghanaian diaspora community in Lusaka, Zambia, as part of his three-day state visit, the President said his administration will no longer tolerate delays and opacity 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,” President Mahama warned, stressing that the deadline is non-negotiable. While he does not spell out the specific sanctions, he signalled that consequences will follow for defaulting officials.
The President linked the enforcement of accountability measures to what he described as improving economic conditions in the country, noting that increased business activity and renewed investor confidence require stronger governance and transparency across public institutions.
According to him, signs of economic recovery are already evident, with businesses expanding and citizens moving more freely as fuel becomes more affordable. He said sustaining this momentum depends on discipline, responsible leadership, and strict oversight of state-owned enterprises.
President Mahama explained that the renewed focus on audits and reporting forms part of broader reforms aimed at safeguarding public resources, strengthening financial management, and restoring confidence in state institutions.
The warning comes amid the government’s wider push to tighten governance controls across the public sector, as the administration seeks to consolidate economic recovery and ensure that state-owned enterprises operate efficiently and accountably.
