The newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA) has laid bare a philosophy of leadership grounded in austerity, modesty, and a deliberate rejection of extravagance.
Professor Ransford Yaw Gyampo told Joy News amid growing public concern about the perks and privileges enjoyed by public officials, said he uses what he described as his "commonsensical approach" to leadership - one that includes driving his personal car to funerals and weddings. "I was offered an old vehicle which I use only to and from work," Prof Gyampo said. "I drive my own car to church, funerals, weddings and to all social gatherings.
Government vehicles must only be used for government business." This unorthodox approach to public office, especially at the CEO level, he stated, comes against the backdrop of financial constraints at the Ghana Shippers Authority.
According to Gyampo, the Authority became cash-strapped after government swept excess funds from various agencies to meet sovereign obligations. "Through this initiative, the financial resources and monies saved by the Ghana Shippers Authority were swept away," he explained. "So as CEO, I had to offer an innovative response to cut expenditure to ensure that the organisation survives." Among his first actions was to cancel and renegotiate contracts, suspend staff allowances, and halt all foreign travel not directly tied to the Authority's core operations.
