President Mahama reacts to criticism of appointees over weekend outings

President John Dramani Mahama has dismissed claims that his ministers are spending weekends at parties instead of focusing on their responsibilities and engaging with the people they serve.

The President made the remarks during a town hall meeting in London on May 31, 2026, after a member of the Ghanaian community in the United Kingdom, Ade Sawyer, raised concerns about the conduct of some government officials.

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Sawyer said videos circulating on social media often show ministers at social gatherings during weekends when they should be interacting with their constituents and addressing their concerns.

“Every weekend, we see on TikTok the ministers at parties, instead of being with their constituents, they are talking to each other, blowing time. It does not look good, Mr President. Please tell them that at weekends, they should go back to their constituents and find out what it is that the people of Ghana need,” he said.

Responding to the concerns, Mahama said he was unaware of any minister neglecting official duties for excessive social activities.

“Blowing time, I don't know which ministers you are referring to. They say you guys are blowing time instead of working. The ministers I know are working very hard,” he defended them.

The President explained that the only social gatherings he has observed among ministers have been brief office celebrations such as birthday events.

“I've seen occasionally maybe, on their birthday, they bring a cake to the office and then for a few minutes everybody cuts the cake and then they go back to work,” he stated.

Mahama further said he has not witnessed any extravagant celebrations by his ministers and noted that he continues to monitor their conduct closely.

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“But I haven't seen anybody throw an ostentatious party because I told all of them, I'm watching them and I haven't yet put on record anybody who has blown time and an ostentation,” he added.

Watch the videos below:

At a townhall meeting in London on Sunday evening addressed by President @JDMahama, Mr Sawyer had concerns about ministers of state “blowing time” on weekends. He also questioned the new LGBTQ+ Bill passed by Parliament last week, when in his views, there were already existing… pic.twitter.com/OdALKxhqSZ

— DailyGraphic GraphicOnline (@Graphicgh) May 31, 2026

“I don’t know which ministers you are referring to that they are blowing time [on weekends]. The ministers I know are working very hard. I’ve seen occasionally maybe on their birthday they bring a cake to the office and then for a few minutes everybody cuts the cake and they go… pic.twitter.com/8gRXfMFAmS

— DailyGraphic GraphicOnline (@Graphicgh) May 31, 2026