Following President Akufo-Addo's decision to run the largest government since independence, legal practitioner Samson Lardy Anyenini has called for a constitutional ceiling on the number of ministers.
In a review of highlights of 2017, the lawyer resurrected his disappointment in the president after he assembled a team of 110 ministers and deputies.
The backlash was instantaneous but the president told Ghanaians the numbers won't matter when his team delivers on the job.
It is an explanation Samson Anyenini rejected describing the appointments as "such a wrong start" to his presidency.
"It is unjustifiable, it is unreasonable especially for a poor country," he said. After constant refrain that taxes collected are insufficient in running the country, Samson questioned, the appointment of110 ministers to draw on limited resources.
While the framers of the 1992 constitution deferred the number of ministers to the president's discretion, Samson Lardy Anyenini is convinced, this power was severely abused in Akufo-Addo's case.
"There ought to be checks in place...next time you would never know which president you will get who would want to double the numbers we have and the constitution does not stop him"
Questions have been raised about the need for portfolios like Public Procurement Minister, Sanitation Minister, Minister for Monitoring and Evaluation, Senior Minister, Minister for Inner City and Zongo Development, Minister for Regional Re-organization and Minister for Railway Development.
Samson Lardy Anyenini believes that after a year in office, the President could come the conclusion that he doesn't need as many ministers to deliver on his mandate.
He said the president is expected to do the right things with his unmatched political experience in Ghana after serving more than seven years as minister and 12 years in Parliament.
Gender activist, Shamima Muslim described the number as "a bit too much" arguing the public service full of directors and consultants should be good enough to handle the affairs of the state led by a smaller number of ministers.
Adom News Editor, Afia Pokua, pointed out that large governments are a feature on African governments open to cronyism and patronage.
"This is the reality of African politics," she said.
Afia Pokua said despite the unprecedented number of ministers, the President is still under pressure to appoint more.
Latest Stories
-
Police pursue two gunmen for killing 2 off-duty officers at Trasacco
9 mins -
Bayer Leverkusen beat Roma to win semifinal first leg
11 mins -
Aston Villa face tough task after 2-4 defeat to Olympiacos
16 mins -
NGO empowers women and girls with disabilities
20 mins -
Guinness World Records: Nigerian woman paints nails for three days
28 mins -
Season 2 of ‘I’m in Love with Boma Ye’ returns this May on Joy Prime
30 mins -
Akufo-Addo’s disrespect of chiefs won’t be tolerated – Haruna Iddrisu
35 mins -
Chalobah and Jackson score as Chelsea defeat Tottenham
38 mins -
NPP praises Police, EC for successful Ejisu by-election
55 mins -
2024 Ramadan Cup: Bawumia donates 20,000 to four teams as Ashaiman lifts trophy
57 mins -
PMI Ghana Chapter members tour Kasoa BSP Project
57 mins -
Child Rights International pledges support for toddler mauled by dog
59 mins -
Cedi’s woes due to diminishing expectations of investors concern about Ghana’s competitiveness – Prof. Peprah
1 hour -
EIU optimistic Ghana’s debt-carrying capacity could easily improve in future
1 hour -
Access Bank Ghana Plc records commendable financial growth in quarter one, 2024
4 hours