President John Dramani Mahama has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to desist from using public resources for Christmas and New Year gifts such as hampers during the upcoming yuletide.

A letter from the Office of the President and signed by the Executive Secretary to the President, Dr. Raymond Atuguba, said the decision, which previously affected only Ministries, has been extended to include the Departments and Agencies under the Ministries and also Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies.

The letter asked Ministers of State to ensure strict compliance with the directive at all levels of government, adding that “Heads of MDAs which flout the directive would be surcharged with the cost of same to serve as a deterrent to others.”