The newly appointed CEO of the Ghana Shippers Authority has criticised what he calls a culture of “senseless entitlement” and “over-bloated self-importance” among public officials.

Professor Ransford Yaw Gyampo, in an interview with Joy News, said he is leading by example to restore integrity and discipline in public service spending.

Prof. Gyampo said, “I believe I am the only CEO at the moment who travels abroad with an economy class ticket. I do so because the current financial position of my organisation makes it unethical and unthinkable for me to be opulent.”

The former university professor and unionist said, given the dire financial state of the Authority after its funds were swept as part of a government-wide liquidity strategy under the Mahama administration, he had no choice but to implement tough internal reforms.

“The financial resources and monies saved by the Ghana Shippers Authority were swept away…This meant the Authority suddenly became cash-strapped. So as CEO, I had to offer an innovative response to cut expenditure to ensure that the organization survives.”

This, he explained, involved terminating and renegotiating existing contracts, suspending certain staff allowances, and halting all foreign travel except those directly related to the core business of the Authority.

Even then, “every participant, from the CEO to the daily-rated employee, would travel with an economy class ticket. I have done this myself on the few occasions that I have had to travel, and this would continue.”

The most controversial moment in his tenure so far, he said, was an attempt by detractors to smear him with a false luxury purchase.

“That’s why I described as senseless and ignorant propaganda the claim that I had gone to buy a massaging chair in my office,” he said with controlled exasperation.

“Despite all that I am doing to save money and cut costs… competent and effective propaganda is not for little minds.”

Prof. Gyampo stated that he is not in the position to enrich himself but to serve, citing his modest upbringing and values.

“I come from a very modest background, and though by the grace of God and through hard work I was living comfortably even before I was appointed as CEO, my modest background and the kind of training I got have tended to shape what I do.”

He also took aim at a prevailing misuse of state resources.

“I was offered an old vehicle which I use only to and from work. I drive my own car to church, funerals, weddings and to all social gatherings. Government vehicles must only be used for government business.”

Prof. Gyampo linked his stewardship to a broader national transformation project under President Mahama.

“I remain focused on what I want to do to help President Mahama reset Ghana… given how low the governance baseline was set by the previous government, I am confident that the ruling party would succeed with a little effort.”

He ended with a rousing affirmation of collective national responsibility, stating, “We won’t countenance people’s sense of entitlement to perpetuate what is wrong. We will change the status quo. If we succeed, Ghana will succeed.”