A new ministerial portfolio has been created by President Akufo-Addo in the midst of calls on him to rather downsize his government.
There is now a Minister of State for the Local Government and Rural Development, adding to the existing portfolios consisting 86 ministers and deputies.
As the government struggles to pay its ballooning debt, necessitating the introduction of the controversial Domestic Debt Exchange Programme, economists and thousands who would be affected by the policy have proffered numerous suggestions to sustain the economy that is in distress.
Currently, government is banging on the doors of the International Monetary Fund for succour in the form of a 3 billion dollar relief under the extended credit facility.
The president has therefore been asked to cut down expenditures, especially in the area of his appointees and their allowances.
But many Ghanaians appeared stunned after the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, announced the appointment of new ministers by the president on Tuesday.
The Member of Parliament for Akuapem South, Osei Bonsu Amoah, has been appointed Minister of State at the Local Government and Rural Development Ministry.
This appointment is in addition to the existing Ministry for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, headed by Mr. Dan Botwe, the Member of Parliament of Okere Constituency, Eastern Region.
Mr. O.B. Amoah may have a difficulty hurdle to surmount at his vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee as the new leadership of the Minority Caucus vows to reject any new addition to Akufo-Addo’s government.
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minority Leader, told journalists two weeks ago that the three main focus of the new leadership include “prevailing on the government to downsize to reflect the mood of the country.
“You are asking people to forgo their coupons (interest) and you are asking the ordinary Ghanaian to sacrifice his payouts.
“So therefore, if his Excellency the President intends to reshuffle his government, let it be known that we in the NDC will not accept an attempt to increase the size of government and if the current size of his ministers increase by one, that one person may not receive our cooperation,” he warned on January 26.
Below is the full list announced by the Speaker.
- Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, K.T Hammond has been appointed Minister-designate for Trade and Industry.
2. Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Brian Acheampong has been appointed Minister-designate for Food and Agriculture.
3. Member of Parliament for Karaga, Mohammed Amin Adam, who was stationed at the Energy Ministry as deputy Minister has been given a new post. He has been appointed Minister of State at the Finance Ministry. He is set to replace Charles Adu Boahen.
4. Stephen Asamoah Boateng has been appointed Minister-designate for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
5. Hebert Krapah, who was Deputy Minister at the Trade Ministry has been moved to the Energy Ministry as Deputy Minister-designate. He replaces Mohammed Amin Adam.
6. Meanwhile, Dr Stephen Amoah is now Deputy Minister-designate for Trade and Industry to replace Herbert Krapah.
7. Member of Parliament for Akuapem South, Osei Bonsu Amoah, has been appointed Minister of State at the Local Government and Rural Development Ministry.