A Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Legon is advocating some restrictions on the appointing powers of the President. Dr. Kwesi Jonah argued the ‘wholesale’ appointment of public officials by the president on assumption of office disrupts continuity of developmental projects. "The president simply appoints too many people, even positions that require technical knowledge, he still appoints. In the future political reforms should move in the direction of making the president appoint only key members of government," he said. With the current arrangement, the president appoints members of the executive, top echelon of the country’s security, heads of independent institutions, as well as boards of state institution and agencies of state. The president also appoints District Chief Executives who directly represent him in all the districts. This, Dr Jonah insists is wrong and is therefore suggesting that the president be made to appoint only key personnel at the highest level of government. He was speaking to Joy News’ Matilda Asante Asiedu on the thorny issue of whether competence should play second fiddle to loyalty in the appointment of public officials. Whilst agreeing that both qualities are needed for appointment, more value, he said should be placed on competence. He argued there is always a risk of people having blind loyalty to the leader instead of the party and end up becoming “boot lickers” and “stooges” of the president. Dr. Jonah accused the present government and its predecessor for appointing inefficient officials into government by virtue of their loyalty, perceived or real, to the party. He would however not mention names, but suggested comments by officials of the present and past governments attest to his accusation. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana