The soon-to-be minority leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alexander Afenyo Markin, has stated that while in opposition, his party will closely monitor how the incoming John Mahama administration manages the public purse.

According to him, he does not believe the NDC government can effectively address the excessive use of state funds, despite claims from their leader, the president-elect, John Mahama.

Mr Mahama has pledged to run a lean government if he is re-elected as president. Before last week’s general election, he reiterated his commitment to drastically reduce the size of government if he returns to power. He has pledged to work with at most 60 ministers.

In one of his conversations with the media in Accra, Mahama criticized the Akufo-Addo administration for having an oversized cabinet with numerous ministers and deputy ministers.

Mr Mahama stated, “I will run a lean, highly effective, and efficient government of not more than 60 ministers and deputy ministers.” He emphasized that this promise demonstrates his genuine commitment to reducing government expenditure.

However, speaking in Parliament on Monday, December 16, during the house’s first meeting since its long break due to the parliamentary impasse, Mr Afenyo Markin expressed doubt that the incoming government could meet its target of reducing the size of government and protecting the public purse.

“We know that you’ve promised a lean government, you say fewer than 40 ministers, but I know you can’t achieve that. Now that we are coming into the minority, be prepared. Even if your flagbearer, who is now president-elect, appoints 60 ministers, we will see how many of you will make it. We will see how you are going to protect the public purse,” he said.

He also mentioned that the NPP would be watching closely to see how the NDC government raises funds to implement their social intervention programmes, especially as they plan to eradicate certain taxes imposed by the outgoing administration.