Elections Watch Ghana, an advocacy group, has commended President John Dramani Mahama for reducing the number of ministries from 30 to 23.
The group asserts that this move will help reduce the cost of government operations.
Mark Ewusi Arkoh noted that this demonstrates President Mahama’s commitment to delivering on his pledge to govern the country with a lean administration.
He first congratulated the president on his significant electoral victory, adding that Ghanaians expect the correction of past shortcomings, as President Mahama promised to reset the country for the benefit of its citizens.
He reminded President Mahama to fulfill his 120-day social contract with the Ghanaian people, highlighting several promises, including his commitment to running the leanest government in the Fourth Republic and appointing fewer ministers compared to the excessive numbers under former President Akufo-Addo.
“Reducing the number of ministries from 30 to 23 is a clear demonstration of good faith in ensuring that government expenditure is minimized to the barest minimum. The money saved from downsizing the ministries can now be channeled into progressive and impactful projects that will benefit all Ghanaians,” he stated during an interview on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM.
Ewusi Arkoh also criticized those who have downplayed the importance of the reduction, urging them to first examine the benefits derived from previous ministries.
He argued that some of the ministries in the past were wasteful, unnecessary, and failed to address the nation’s challenges effectively.
“In the previous administration, we had ministries that were not essential, including Roads and Highways, Transport, Aviation, and Railways. These ministries were a waste of taxpayers’ money. So if people like Bright Simons say this decision reflects the sentiments of the Ghanaian people, then yes, it is because this is exactly what we want—not what was done in the past,” he concluded.
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