President Mahama reduces Ministries to 23 in Civil Service restructuring
President John Dramani Mahama has announced a reduction in the number of government ministries, cutting them from 30 to 23, as part of an administrative restructuring initiative aimed at enhancing efficiency and streamlining government operations.
The reorganization was formalized through the Civil Service (Ministries) Instrument, 2025 (E.I. 1), signed by President Mahama on January 9, 2025. The Executive Instrument outlines the newly established ministries and revokes the previous arrangement under the Civil Service (Ministries) Instrument, 2021 (E.I. 12).
Newly Established Ministries
The following 23 ministries will now be a part of Ghana’s Civil Service:
Ministry of Finance
Ministry of Health
Ministry of the Interior
Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Education
Ministry of Energy and Green Transition
Ministry of Roads and Highways
Ministry of Transport
Ministry of Sports and Recreation
Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice
Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources
Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations
Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology
Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment
Ministry of Works, Housing, and Water Resources
Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection
Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts
Ministry of Labour, Jobs, and Employment
Ministry of Food and Agriculture
Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry
Efficiency and innovation at the core
The restructuring aligns with the administration’s goal of optimizing government functions while addressing emerging priorities such as digital technology, green energy transition, and youth empowerment. The consolidation of some ministries is expected to reduce bureaucratic overlaps and improve service delivery.
Key changes include the creation of the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, reflecting a growing focus on sustainable energy, and the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, which underscores Ghana’s commitment to leveraging technology for development.
Revocation of previous Instrument
The new arrangement supersedes the Civil Service (Ministries) Instrument, 2021 (E.I. 12), marking a shift in the government’s approach to public administration.
The announcement has been met with varied reactions, with some applauding the move for its potential to enhance efficiency, while others await further clarity on its implications for service delivery.
This reorganization comes as President Mahama’s administration seeks to strengthen governance and focus resources on critical areas for Ghana’s development.
60 Ministers pledge
The President during the week reaffirmed his pledge to maintain a lean government with only 60 ministers, even as thousands of hopeful candidates have submitted their CVs for consideration.
Speaking at the Presidential Dinner in Accra on Wednesday, January 8, the President highlighted the challenges of assembling a capable and efficient team amid heightened expectations from Ghanaians
The announcement has been met with varied reactions, with some applauding the move for its potential to enhance efficiency, while others await further clarity on its implications for service delivery.
This reorganization comes as President Mahama’s administration seeks to strengthen governance and focus resources on critical areas for Ghana’s development.
60 Ministers pledge
The President during the week reaffirmed his pledge to maintain a lean government with only 60 ministers, even as thousands of hopeful candidates have submitted their CVs for consideration.
Speaking at the Presidential Dinner in Accra on Wednesday, January 8, the President highlighted the challenges of assembling a capable and efficient team amid heightened expectations from Ghanaians
Despite the challenges, President Mahama stressed that contributing to the success of his administration goes beyond holding ministerial positions.
“It’s not only by playing the role of a minister, it’s by taking to the senses the many things that we can all do,” he said. “The success of this administration will guarantee us another term, maybe under some other leader. But we need to get this right, so that Ghanaians repose their confidence in us, and give us another opportunity to continue.”
Source: GraphicOnline
