Jinapor Challenges Ministerial Reductions: ‘Are Appointments Merely Being Repackaged?

Samuel A. Jinapor, the Member of Parliament for Damongo Constituency, has raised serious concerns about the President’s recent claim that the government is reducing its size by appointing just 60 Ministers and Deputy Ministers, which includes the positions of Regional Ministers. According to Jinapor, while this reduction is being presented as a move toward improving efficiency, the reality is that the government has only shifted the appointments to the Office of the President, meaning there is no real reduction in the cost burden on the national budget.

Jinapor questioned the President’s narrative, pointing out that while there has been a reduction in the number of Ministers, the government has simply replaced them with more Presidential Advisors, staffers, and aides. Many of these new appointees receive benefits and perks similar to those of Ministers but avoid parliamentary scrutiny and approval. He criticized the government for not being transparent about this shift, arguing that it gives the false impression of a leaner government while maintaining the same financial cost.

He emphasized that the President’s claim of efficiency due to the reduction in Ministers is misleading, as the functions of the dissolved Ministries have merely been shifted to the Office of the President, with no reduction in financial outlay. Jinapor highlighted the increase in the number of Presidential Advisors, staffers, and aides as a prime example of this inefficiency. For instance, the President has appointed nearly a dozen Presidential Advisors in charge of key sectors like the economy, corruption, and diaspora affairs. This is in addition to the growing number of high-ranking staffers in the Office of the President, such as Dr. Valerie Sawyerr, Senior Presidential Advisor on Government Affairs, and other specialized aides.

The Damongo MP also drew attention to the fact that the Office of the President now employs a significant number of staff with responsibilities that could otherwise fall under Ministries, such as those involved in economic affairs and regional operations. He further pointed out the appointment of Peter Boamah Otokunor, a Director at the Presidency responsible for Agriculture and Agribusiness, despite the existence of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry. Jinapor questioned why such positions were necessary when these Ministries already exist, suggesting that this is yet another example of unnecessary duplication within the government.

Moreover, Jinapor highlighted a concerning trend of political patronage, where appointments are made to reward political allies and fulfill campaign promises rather than creating a more efficient government structure. He noted that the President had pledged not to appoint Deputy Regional Ministers—an initiative introduced by President Akufo-Addo—but has instead appointed sixteen Presidential Staffers to regional duties, effectively fulfilling the same role under a different title. This, Jinapor argued, further undermines the claim of reducing government size and cost.

The expansion of the government’s communications team was another area of concern for Jinapor. He revealed that the Office of the President now employs a large number of communication staff, including a Presidential Advisor on Media, multiple Directors and Deputy Directors of Communication, and other communication specialists and aides. This further inflates the size of the administration and raises questions about the true intentions behind the supposed reduction in Ministers.

Beyond the issue of government size and expenditure, Jinapor also criticized the President for failing to meet key campaign promises. A major pledge that remains unfulfilled is the commitment to appoint 30 percent of Cabinet Ministers as women. This promise, he noted, has yet to be realized. Jinapor called on the President to be honest with the people of Ghana, admitting when promises have not been kept instead of resorting to backdoor appointments that avoid parliamentary approval.

In conclusion, while the President’s move to limit the number of Ministers may appear to be a positive step toward reducing government size, Jinapor argued that it has not resulted in real cost savings or enhanced efficiency. He suggested that by shifting roles from Ministries to the Office of the President, the government is merely repackaging old structures under new titles without achieving genuine reform. Jinapor urged the government to be more transparent and accountable, warning that the Ghanaian people would be watching closely to see whether this restructuring truly delivers on its promise of efficiency or if it is just a way to disguise the same old practices under a different guise.