Former Deputy Transport Minister Alhassan Tampuli has ridiculed President John Mahama’s newly launched Code of Conduct for political appointees, describing it as nothing more than a set of “Courtesy for Boys and Girls.”

“What I see right now is more or less a courtesy for boys and girls,” the Gushegu MP said on PM Express on Tuesday, May 6.

“We are talking about civility, courtesy, and restraint — influence peddling and so on. But some of the provisions I see in there, I’m not too sure they necessarily belong in a Code of Conduct for public officers. There are things you don’t need to put down in writing. They are just basic everyday behaviour.”

The former National Petroleum Authority (NPA) boss dismissed the Code as lacking real teeth, saying the initiative cannot fix the ethical gaps in Ghana’s governance unless it becomes law.

His comments come as public debate deepens over the relevance, enforceability, and motivation behind Mahama’s Code of Conduct.

Critics say it is long overdue. Others, like Alhsassan Tampuli, suggest it is too little, too vague, and too late.

“This is an effort which, in my view, does not deal with the situation we find ourselves in — except when it is enacted into law,” he stated.

On the controversial ¢20,000 gift threshold set by the Code, Mr Tampuli called for alignment with international norms.

“The ¢20,000, I think, should be in sync with international best practices. Ghana is not an island. Ministers and appointees interact at the highest levels with citizens and officials from other countries. If our gift threshold is off, there will be conflicts.”

He added, “In Europe, in America, and many international organisations, there are well-established standards for these things. If we want to comply, we must align. Unless, of course, the ¢20,000 figure is some kind of hedge against the future value of the cedi, which I doubt.”

Alhassan Tampuli was emphatic that no serious reform can come from what he sees as a symbolic document.

“If we are serious, then let’s legislate. A code written today, if not backed by law, can be thrown out tomorrow by another administration.”