“It’s a no-no”- CDD’s Pumpuni Asante on car gift to President Mahama

The Director of Policy Engagement and Partnerships at the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Dr Kojo Pumpuni Asante, has opposed the practice of the President receiving gifts.

Dr Pumpuni Asante said as much as possible, the presidency should stay away from accepting gifts despite the good intention behind the gesture because of the conflict of interest situation it raises.

“It’s a no-no,” he said when reacting to the car gifts presented to President John Dramani Mahama.

“These are high-value gifts. How are you going to determine whether the President gets influenced or not in those kinds of scenarios?”

President Mahama declared the vehicles after launching the Code of Conduct, unveiled today, Monday, May 5, 2025, as part of Mahama’s broader agenda to promote ethical governance under his 120-day Social Contract.

Speaking to Joy News on Tuesday, May 6, Dr Asante Pumpuni said “It’s very difficult to establish any benefit one way or the other,” Dr. Asante noted. “As much as possible, we should just avoid these kinds of gifts.”

“It’s very difficult to establish any benefit one way or the other,” Dr. Asante noted. “As much as possible, we should just avoid these kinds of gifts.”

“The President has a lot of power to create these kinds of conflict of interest scenarios,” he explained. “And because of that, we must not give room for this kind of ambiguity.”

Meanwhile, President Mahama has directed all government appointees that no gifts or favours from individuals or entities with an interest in governmental decisions.

“Appointees are prohibited from accepting gifts or favours, especially from companies or individuals with an interest in governmental decisions,” he said when launching the code of conduct.

 

The post “It’s a no-no”- CDD’s Pumpuni Asante on car gift to President Mahama first appeared on 3News.

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