The Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA CONSULT), has recommended for the consideration of President John Dramani Mahama to abolish the Regional Minister portfolio for enhanced efficiency in governance, foster growth, and strengthen the decentralization structures.

Mr Francis Ameyibor, CDA Consult Executive Director who made the recommendation explained that abolishing the Regional Minister portfolio would redefine the responsibilities of regional coordinating directors, allowing them to manage the regions under the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.

Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency about the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s agenda of resetting the country, Mr Ameyibor noted that such a move by the government will align with President Mahama’s position to reset the national agenda.

He said it would also call for a redefinition of the responsibilities of regional coordinating directors, who will now manage the regions under the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.

He said the regional coordinators would oversee the metropolitan, municipal, and district coordinators, who would work directly with them, stressing this realignment is expected to release 16 ministerial portfolios, enabling the President to fulfil his pledge to appoint only 60 ministers.

Mr Ameyibor a Development Communication Advocate stressed that “this realignment is expected to promote better coordination and cooperation among various levels of government.”

He said as part of the recommendation for the realignment, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development should be tasked to play a crucial role in enhancing oversight responsibilities over the regional coordinators and ensuring they work effectively with metropolitan, municipal, and district coordinators.

The CDA Consult Executive Director stressed that the new structure aims to streamline governance, revolutionize regional governance, transform regional leadership, and modernize Ghana’s governance as well as enhance regional development and coordination, ultimately strengthening local government.

Mr Ameyibor explained that the country’s decentralization policy plan was truncated midway, and “we need to resume developing the structures and strengthening our local government systems.”

He said it aims to empower local governments to take charge of their development, and scrapping the Regional Minister portfolio may be a step in the right direction.

Mr Ameyibor noted that the suggestion to scrap the Regional Minister portfolio must be seen as a progressive step towards streamlining the government’s structure and improving efficiency.

He said by redefining the roles of regional coordinating directors, the government would enhance regional development, and accelerate coordination.

Mr Ameyibor noted that the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development must play a crucial role in overseeing the regional coordinators and ensuring that they work effectively with the metropolitan, municipal, and district coordinators.

“This new structure is expected to promote better coordination and cooperation among the various levels of government,” Mr. Ameyibor noted.

“The move is also seen as a positive step towards reducing the size of the government and promoting fiscal responsibility. By releasing 16 ministerial portfolios, the government can reduce its expenditure on ministerial salaries and benefits and allocate these resources to more pressing development needs.

“Overall, the decision to scrap the Regional Minister portfolio is a bold step towards promoting good governance, efficiency, and fiscal responsibility in Ghana,” the CDA Executive Director stated.

Mr. Ameyibor a seasoned journalist stressed that scrapping the Regional Minister portfolio will have a positive impact on Ghana’s decentralization policy and local government and enhance the decentralization policy to strengthen local government.