The Need for President John Mahama to Reconsider His 60-Minister Limit for Effective Governance

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PRESS STATEMENT
Issued by: Francis Kwesi Badu-Mello – president,
Alliance for Civic Action (ACA)

The Need for President John Mahama to Reconsider His 60-Minister Limit for Effective Governance

The Alliance for Civic Action (ACA) has closely monitored President John Dramani Mahama’s appointments and the corresponding reactions of Ghanaians to his decision to limit the number of ministers to 60. While this commitment to running a lean government was a welcome pledge during the campaign period, ACA believes that in light of the current realities facing the nation, this number may not be adequate to address the immense and multifaceted challenges Ghana is grappling with.

Ghana’s economic and social landscape has been severely strained in recent years due to the mismanagement and corruption of the previous government. The pressing issues of economic recovery, education, health, agriculture, infrastructure, and security require urgent, strategic, and specialized attention. It is our view that restricting the number of ministers to 60 may significantly hinder the government’s ability to respond swiftly and comprehensively to these problems.

While the argument to reduce ministerial appointments as a cost-saving measure may seem appealing at first glance, ACA asserts that the cost of a limited ministerial team could ultimately be higher than the cost of appointing more ministers. Here’s why:

  1. Loss of Efficiency and Productivity: A smaller team of ministers would be stretched thin, managing multiple portfolios. This could lead to inefficiencies, delays in decision-making, and inadequate implementation of policies, resulting in missed opportunities for economic growth and development. The financial and social costs of delayed actions could far outweigh the savings achieved by reducing the number of ministers.
  2. Increased Dependency on Consultants: With fewer ministers and overburdened ministries, there would likely be a reliance on consultants and external advisors to fill the gaps in expertise and capacity. This could result in higher consultancy fees, negating any savings from a leaner government.
  3. Failure to Address Key Challenges: Ghana faces complex, multidimensional challenges that require immediate and targeted interventions. A smaller ministerial team might lack the capacity to address these challenges effectively, leading to prolonged economic stagnation and social distress. The cost of inaction or partial action in critical areas such as agriculture, health, and infrastructure development would be devastating to the nation.
  4. Risk of Oversight and Mismanagement: When too much responsibility is placed on a limited number of individuals, there is a higher risk of oversight and errors in governance. The long-term financial implications of such mismanagement could surpass the cost of maintaining a larger and more competent ministerial team.
  5. Opportunity Cost of Unrealized Development: A well-staffed government has the potential to unlock economic opportunities, attract investments, and drive rapid development. The opportunity cost of unrealized progress due to an understaffed administration is far greater than the direct cost of appointing additional ministers.

Advantages of an Adequate Number of Ministers

  1. Specialized Expertise and Focus: Increasing the number of ministers to 94, as proposed by ACA, will allow for specialization and focus in governance. Each minister will have the opportunity to concentrate on a single portfolio, ensuring in-depth understanding and effective solutions to the challenges within their sector.
  2. Regional Balance and Inclusion: A larger ministerial team ensures adequate representation across all regions, fostering inclusivity and ensuring that no part of Ghana feels neglected or underserved.
  3. Faster and More Effective Governance: By distributing responsibilities across a greater number of ministers, tasks can be executed more efficiently, enabling quicker responses to the pressing needs of the citizenry.
  4. Capacity for Strategic Policy Implementation: Ghana’s current challenges require not just immediate fixes but also long-term structural reforms. A well-distributed ministerial team ensures that both immediate and future goals are addressed simultaneously.

We, the Alliance for Civic Action (ACA), urge President John Mahama to reconsider the 60-minister limit and instead appoint 94 ministers to form a strong, competent, and well-resourced government. This adjustment is not about increasing government size unnecessarily but about equipping the state with the human resources needed to deliver results.

While fiscal discipline is essential, it must not come at the expense of effective governance. The decision to appoint more ministers should not be viewed as wasteful but as an investment in Ghana’s future. A robust and well-resourced ministerial team will ensure that the government is adequately equipped to tackle the nation’s challenges head-on and deliver the transformative change Ghanaians expect and deserve.
The challenges Ghana faces today require bold and innovative solutions. The cost of appointing more ministers is far outweighed by the benefits of effective governance that prioritizes the well-being of citizens and the rapid recovery of our economy. We cannot afford delays or inefficiencies when the people of Ghana are counting on this administration to deliver on its promises.

President John Mahama must seize this moment to assemble a team that reflects the enormity of the task ahead. Ghanaians deserve leadership that is not only lean but also effective, inclusive, and results-driven.

Signed,
Francis Kwesi Badu-Mello
President:
Alliance for Civic Action (ACA)
For inquiries, contact ACA at 0244819302

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