As the Executive Secretary of the Anchoring Democracy Advocacy Movement Ghana (ADAM-GH), I believe President John Dramani Mahama is facing a critical decision that could affect the success of his 24-hour economy policy. While the reduction of ministries from thirty to twenty-three is a significant step toward his promise of a lean government, the insistence on limiting the total number of ministers to sixty, including regional ministers, may undermine the effectiveness of his administration.
During his campaign, President Mahama promised Ghanaians a smaller government, which was well-received by citizens tired of wasteful spending. By reducing the number of ministries to twenty-three, he has already demonstrated his commitment to this promise. However, the idea of appointing only sixty ministers, which includes the sixteen regional ministers, may be impractical when considering the demands of implementing the 24-hour economy policy.
The 24-hour economy policy is an ambitious initiative that aims to revolutionize Ghana’s economy by ensuring round-the-clock productivity in various sectors. This requires dedicated leadership at all levels of government, with ministers and their deputies working tirelessly to ensure that every sector operates efficiently. It is unrealistic to expect one minister to handle the operations of an entire ministry without the support of deputies, especially under a policy that demands constant attention and execution.
The president’s campaign promise to limit his government to sixty ministers may have been an overreaction at the time, driven by the desire to gain public support. However, the current political and economic realities require a more flexible approach. When President Mahama made that promise, he may not have anticipated the challenges posed by having 188 Members of Parliament, which complicates the distribution of responsibilities within his government.
What is most important now is not the number of ministers but their competence and dedication to delivering results. Ghanaians are looking to the president to reset the economy and reduce the hardships caused by the previous administration. This requires assembling a strong and capable team of ministers and deputies who can drive the reset agenda and implement policies effectively.
The previous government under Nana Addo and Bawumia failed not because of the high number of ministers but because of corruption and arrogance within its ranks. President Mahama’s government can avoid this by focusing on transparency, accountability, and fighting corruption. If these principles are upheld, the exact number of ministers will be less relevant than their ability to perform.
So far, President Mahama has appointed forty-eight ministers, including the sixteen regional ministers. If he sticks to the sixty-minister limit, this leaves room for only twelve more appointments. Excluding deputy ministers from this number would leave many ministries without the leadership and support needed to function effectively under the 24-hour economy policy. This policy is meant to drive economic growth and create jobs for Ghanaians, but it cannot succeed without a fully equipped team of leaders.
Reducing the number of ministries to twenty-three is already a major achievement that fulfills the promise of a lean government. This alone demonstrates the president’s commitment to efficient governance. However, it is equally important to recognize that limiting the total number of ministers to sixty may not be practical in the current context.
To address this challenge, I suggest that the president consider excluding the sixteen regional ministers from the sixty-minister limit. This would allow him to appoint enough qualified individuals to serve as deputies and fill other key roles within the ministries. A strong and capable team is essential for implementing the 24-hour economy policy and other initiatives that will bring relief to Ghanaians.
The 24-hour economy policy is one of the president’s major campaign promises and has the potential to transform the country. It is a bold vision that requires careful planning, adequate resources, and strong leadership. Sacrificing the success of this policy for the sake of adhering to the sixty-minister limit would be a mistake that could hinder the progress Ghanaians are hoping for.
President Mahama has already taken significant steps toward building a lean and efficient government by reducing the number of ministries. However, achieving his broader goals will require a more flexible approach to ministerial appointments. By prioritizing competence, accountability, and the effective implementation of policies, the president can lead Ghana toward a brighter future.
In conclusion, I urge President Mahama to focus on forming a strong and capable team of ministers and deputies who can work together to implement the 24-hour economy policy and deliver on his promises to the people of Ghana. The success of this policy should take precedence over the sixty-minister limit, as it is the key to driving economic growth and improving the lives of all Ghanaians.
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