Local Government Minister Mahama Ayariga has cautioned Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) against using government vehicles for private errands, romantic escapades and personal business, insisting that the vehicles must be reserved strictly for official duties.
The Minister issued the warning during the handover of vehicles to 128 MMDCEs, aimed at strengthening local government operations and improving service delivery across the country.
Mr Ayariga stressed that the vehicles were public assets provided to support the work of the local government officials and must not be treated as personal property or used to serve private interests.
He warned the executives against using the vehicles to visit their farms, factories, girlfriends’ homes or relatives when such trips were unrelated to their official responsibilities.
The Minister further cautioned the officials against using government vehicles to attend family events, including funerals organised for their in-laws, where their attendance was purely personal.
MMDCEs urged to protect government’s image
Mr Ayariga said the conduct of MMDCEs in handling state resources had implications for how citizens perceived the government, given their direct interactions with communities and their position as representatives of the state at the local level.
He noted that many citizens might never have the opportunity to meet him or President John Dramani Mahama in person, but they encountered MMDCEs regularly and judged the government partly by their actions.
“The citizens are watching you. They know we’ve given you the vehicle to perform an official assignment. You are the face of government,” he said.
According to the Minister, the way the officials used the vehicles would influence public perceptions of the government’s commitment to humility, responsibility and the prudent management of public property.
He explained that the vehicles were not merely transportation assets but also represented the government’s approach to the use of public resources.
“How you use it tells a big story about the humility of this government. The responsible character of this government. Because you are the face of the government,” he added.
Mr Ayariga therefore urged the executives to recognise that their conduct could either strengthen or undermine public confidence in the administration, particularly in matters relating to accountability and the responsible use of state resources.
Government vehicles reserved for official duties
The Minister reiterated that the vehicles were provided to enable MMDCEs to carry out their official responsibilities more effectively, rather than to offer them personal convenience.
He was particularly emphatic in ruling out the use of the vehicles for romantic visits and other private engagements.
“And so these vehicles are meant for you to work. They are not meant for driving to girlfriends’ homes. They are not meant for those,” he said.
The vehicles are expected to improve the mobility of the MMDCEs and support their work in their respective metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies.
With improved access to transportation, the officials are expected to be better equipped to monitor development projects, engage with residents, supervise local government activities and facilitate the implementation of government programmes.