New Ministerial Appointments for new regions is no crime

Akufo-Addo’s 123 new ministerial appointments make history as Ghana hits the highest number ever. Before the president of the republic appointed 13 more ministers, Ghana already had 110 ministers.

The announcement by the government on Thursday shot the number up after deputy ministers and ministers were appointed to steer the affairs of the six newly created regions under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo.

The 13 appointed are currently minister designates until the parliamentary review committee performs its function to ensure that the nominated persons can deliver on the job.

The NPP led by Akufo-Addo while in opposition criticized the Mahama led government in what they called incompetent government over the number of ministers.

The Mahama led government had 88 ministers. By this feet, the Nana Addo led government has increased his ministers by 23 more compared to that of former president Mahama.    

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) while in position chastised government for having so many ministers and argues that, with good planning, leadership and proper administrative set up, the 88 ministers could be slashed down.

This move by the government has only resurrected sleeping dogs however, the reality is that, these new regions cannot function effectively without regional ministers and their duputies and if these new regions had not been created, the wouldnot have been the need for the new appoitments. The debate on the increase in Ministers will not calm down so soon especially at a time when Ghanaians are complaining of the high number of presidential staffers which is believed to be not less than 1000.

The debate and discussions will surely cover issues such as how efficient has government machinery been with 110 ministers with a country whose population stands at 30 million.

New Ministerial Appointments

President Akufo-Addo nominated the following as minister designates government.

Bono Region : The Municipal Chief Executive for Sunyani Municipality, Evelyn Ama Kumi-Richardson.

Ahafo Region:  Benjamin Yeboah Sekyere, MP for Tano South, is the Deputy Minister-designate

Savannah Region : Mankarigu Daboya constituency : Salifu Adam Braimah, MP for Salaga South, is the Minister-designate.

 Savannah Region: Samuel Yeyu Tika, is the Deputy Minister-designate.

Oti Region : Former Volta Regional Minister, Kwasi Owusu Yeboah currently Ghana’s Ambassador to Togo.

 North East Region: Tahiru Tia Ahmed, an educationist from Gambaga, is the Deputy Minister-designate

Northern Region:John Benam, former MP for Zabzugu constituency, is the Deputy Minister-designate

Western North Region : Kingsley Aboagye Gyedu, MP for Bibiani/Anhwiaso/Bekwai constituency and former Deputy Minister for Health, as the Minister-designate while

Western North Region: Alex Tetteh, MP for Sefwi Akontombra constituency, is the Deputy Minister-designate.

Western Region : Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, MP for Takoradi constituency and former Deputy Aviation Minister is the Minister-designate

Volta Region:Johnson Avuletey, has been nominated by the President as the Deputy Minister-designate.