Information minister Mustapha Hamid has defended the size of the Akufo-Addo government explaining that a lean government was never one of the NPP's campaign promises.

"We never promised a lean government," he addressed a press conference Wednesday after government released a fresh list of 54 ministers of state and deputy ministers.

The new addition brings the total number so far to 110 ministers and deputy ministers. 

In an historic move, the President has appointed three deputies for the ministries of Information, Energy, Agriculture and Local Government.

Sections of Social media have condemned the size of government, noting the president promised to protect the public purse.

But in defence of the government, Mustapha Hamid said the number is needed to 'assist' the President pursue an 'ambitious' development agenda.

He said governance is judged by results and not the size of the executive.

He said 110 ministers and deputies is the second largest after president Kufuor and yet "everybody knows the record of Kufuor's government".

Mustapha Hamid urged Ghanaians to consider the integrity and honesty of the appointees because although the NDC operated a leaner government, it nonetheless 'created the mess that we have found ourselves in'.

The NDC General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has condemned the President for bloating the size of government.

He told Joy News, although the NPP never promised a lean government, it is a well-known feature of liberal political parties like the NPP to operate a lean government.