The government has issued a firm directive reminding all Ministers of State that no major policy, programme, or initiative should be publicly announced without prior Cabinet approval.
The reminder, contained in a circular dated October 27 and signed by the Secretary to Cabinet, Prof. Kwaku Danso-Boafo, comes in response to what the government described as a concerning pattern of ministers unveiling initiatives “purportedly on behalf of government” before they have been formally reviewed or endorsed by Cabinet.
According to the circular, such actions breach constitutional protocols and undermine the principle of collective responsibility, which requires that all significant government decisions reflect a unified Cabinet position.
“Cabinet wishes to remind all Ministers that, in accordance with established governance protocols and the collective responsibility principle enshrined in the Constitution, no public policy, programme, or major initiative shall be considered a policy of government unless it has been duly submitted to, deliberated upon, and approved by Cabinet,” the statement emphasized.
The notice further instructed Ministers to submit all proposed policies, programmes, and legislative initiatives through their Chief Directors to the Cabinet Secretariat for proper consideration and approval.
Government explained that the directive is intended to ensure policy coherence, maintain collective accountability, and guarantee that all public communications accurately represent Cabinet-approved positions.
“Ministers are therefore advised to refrain from announcing or implementing any policy that has not received Cabinet approval. Any such public statement or initiative undertaken outside this process shall not be deemed to represent official government policy,” the circular concluded.
