Hot SourceThe Office of the Cabinet Secretary has issued a stern warning to ministers of state following reports that some have been announcing major policy initiatives without Cabinet approval.
In a statement circulated to all ministries, the Cabinet Secretariat expressed concern over what it described as a growing tendency among ministers to act independently by unveiling government programmes in public before they have been reviewed or endorsed by Cabinet.
The statement reminded ministers that, under the Constitution’s collective responsibility principle, no public policy, programme or legislative initiative can be considered official government policy unless it has first been deliberated on and approved by Cabinet.
To ensure compliance, ministers have been directed to submit all proposed policies or legislation through their chief directors to the Cabinet Secretariat for inclusion on the Cabinet agenda.
Government insiders say the warning follows a number of recent public pronouncements by some ministers that have caused confusion and embarrassment to the administration.
Political analysts suggest the move reflects an attempt by the Presidency to reassert control and restore internal discipline, amid growing scrutiny over policy coordination and communication within government.
The directive ends with a clear caution that any initiative or statement made without Cabinet approval will not be recognised as an official government position.
Read the attached press statement in full below:
ADHERENCE TO CABINET PROCEDURES IN THE
FORMULATION AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF PUBLIC POLICIES
The attention of the Office of the Cabinet Secretary has been drawn to the growing practice where some Ministers of State have publicly announced, or caused to be announced, major policy initiatives and programmes purportedly on behalf of the Government without prior discussion, review, or approval by Cabinet.
- Cabinet wishes to remind all Ministers that, in accordance with established governance protocols and the collective responsibility principle enshrined in the Constitution, no public policy, programme, or major initiative shall be considered a policy of Government unless it has been duly submitted to, deliberated upon, and approved by Cabinet.
- For the avoidance of doubt, Ministers are respectfully requested to ensure that all proposed policies, programmes, or legislative initiatives intended for public announcement or implementation are first submitted to the Cabinet Secretariat, through the Chief Director of their respective Ministries, for inclusion on the Cabinet agenda and subsequent consideration by Cabinet.
- This directive is intended to safeguard policy coherence, uphold collective Cabinet responsibility, and ensure that all Government communications and actions reflect the unified and approved position of the Administration.
- Ministers are therefore advised to refrain from announcing or implementing any policy that has not received Cabinet approval. Any such public statement or initiative undertaken outside this process shall not be deemed to represent official Government policy.
- Please be guided accordingly.
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