The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA), Professor Ransford Gyampo, has introduced a range of cost-reduction and ethical leadership initiatives designed to restore financial stability and rebuild public confidence in the organization.
Reflecting on his initial experiences in the role, Prof. Gyampo noted that he took over an authority facing significant financial challenges, exacerbated by broader fiscal policies, including the previous government’s choice to consolidate surplus funds from state entities to fulfill national obligations.
In an interview, he stated, “The decision to pool institutional funds to meet national commitments, such as paying bondholders, was essential.” He added, “However, it left institutions like ours struggling to survive.”
In response to these challenges, the former academic and public intellectual has initiated what he refers to as an “innovative austerity agenda,” which emphasizes operational efficiency and ethical governance.
Key measures include:
– Travel Reform: All non-essential international travel has been halted. When travel is necessary, all personnel, including the CEO, are required to fly economy class.
– Contract Reviews: Existing contracts have been assessed, with some renegotiated or terminated to ensure better value for expenditures.
– Suspension of Incentives: Certain employee incentives have been temporarily suspended to decrease costs and align with the Authority’s current financial situation.
“I travel economy class – and so will everyone else. I may be the only CEO in Ghana who does that today. However, it is unthinkable and unethical to indulge in luxury while the institution I lead is in distress.”
He also mentioned that he utilizes an older official vehicle solely for work-related tasks and depends on his personal car for private occasions.
Prof. Gyampo’s leadership approach, which he characterizes as rooted in simplicity and accountability, has elicited both praise and criticism. He dismissed recent claims regarding the purchase of a luxury massage chair for his office as “ignorant propaganda.”
“That assertion is not only incorrect but also illogical,” he replied. “Effective propaganda is not meant for narrow-minded individuals. Our purpose here is to work, not to indulge in frivolities.”
The CEO of GSA also emphasized the impartiality of his appointment, commending President John Dramani Mahama for incorporating individuals outside of party affiliations into his administration.
“The President has demonstrated bravery by including individuals like myself, who are not affiliated with his party, to make contributions. This reflects a serious commitment,” he stated.
With a leadership style influenced by humble beginnings and extensive experience in academia and labor movements, Prof. Gyampo seeks to transform the leadership culture within public institutions.
“We will not tolerate a sense of entitlement that sustains existing issues,” he asserted. “Our goal is to alter the current state of affairs.”
As he embarks on his new role, many observers will be keen to see if Prof. Gyampo’s principled leadership can indeed establish a new benchmark in Ghana’s public sector.
