Mahama did no wrong by donating gifted cars – Kwakye Ofosu

Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister for Government Communications, has clarified that President John Mahama broke no laws when he accepted two electric cars as gifts and later donated them to the state.

The gifts, received from a Ghanaian company and a Chinese firm operating in the country, were part of a green initiative aimed at promoting electric vehicles in Ghana.

The President disclosed the gesture during the launch of a new Code of Conduct for public officials, underscoring the importance of transparency.

 Mr Kwakye Ofosu explained that it is not uncommon for public figures to receive items from companies looking to showcase their products.

“There is no law that prohibits the acceptance of gifts. Some companies provide their products to prominent individuals in the hope that, by using them, these individuals will increase public awareness,” he said.

He noted that President Mahama followed proper procedures by declaring the vehicles and handing them over to the state, as required by law.

Ghanaian regulations mandate that any gift exceeding GH₵20,000 must be declared and surrendered to the state.

According to the Minister, this was exactly what the President did.

Kwakye Ofosu also said the donation supports the government’s broader environmental agenda.

“His use of the vehicles could help encourage the public to adopt them,” he added.

The minister concluded that similar gift policies exist in other democracies and that the President’s actions were fully in line with legal and ethical expectations.