President John Dramani Mahama has issued a firm directive to the heads of all state-owned enterprises, instructing them to present their audited financial statements and annual reports no later than the end of April 2026, with a warning that failure to do so will attract punitive measures.

The President announced the decision during an interaction with members of the Ghanaian community in Zambia on Wednesday, February 4.

He expressed concern that a number of state entities have, over the years, failed to meet their legal reporting requirements, a lapse he said has weakened openness and oversight within the public sector.

President Mahama described the situation as unacceptable, stressing that his government would not condone continued non-compliance. He added that strict deadlines have been established to compel adherence to the reporting framework.

While he stopped short of detailing the exact penalties, the President’s comments signalled a tough stance and possible sanctions against leaders of state institutions who disregard the directive.