The Presidential Spokesperson Hon. Ofosu Kwakye Felix has refuted claims that President Mahama is inflating the number of appointees at the Office of the President to compensate for a reduction in ministerial appointments.
Hon. Ofosu Kwakye speaking at a Cabinet meeting press briefing, he emphasized the government’s commitment to reducing the size of government and making significant cost savings for the country.
Hon. Ofosu Kwakye directly addressed allegations made by the Member of Parliament for Damongo, stating;
“Some misleading claims have been made in the last few days about the staff of the Office of the President. I made it quite clear during the debate in Parliament what the exact position is, but just so that people are not swayed by the misinformation put out by the Honorable MP for the Damongo constituency, it is important for me to reiterate and clarify what the exact position is.”
Hon. Ofosu Kwakye Felix Presidential Spokesperson
According to Hon. Ofosu Kwakye President Mahama made a firm commitment to cutting down on the size of government and has delivered on that promise.
“Everybody heard him say he will appoint 60 ministers. That is including deputy ministers. He also made it clear that he was going to cut down on the number of political appointees at the Office of the President. Now regarding ministers, he has done exactly as he promised. As I speak, he has made a total of 56 nominations for ministerial positions.”
Hon. Ofosu Kwakye Felix Presidential Spokesperson
Hon. Ofosu Kwakye assured that all appointed ministers have undergone vetting, and have gained parliamentary approval in Parliament as prescribed by the constitution.
Debunking Claims on Number of Presidential Staffers
The Damongo MP had claimed that the President was compensating for the ministerial shortfall by appointing a large number of staff at the presidency.
“Let me put it on record that everybody who has been appointed as a presidential staffer has been named in a statement put out by myself. So currently, there are 27 presidential staffers. All of them were publicly announced, unlike in the past, where we only learnt of them when the president submits a list of the presidential staff to Parliament.”
Hon. Ofosu Kwakye Felix Presidential Spokesperson
He further explained that, in addition to the 27 staffers, three directors have been appointed to assist with specific interventions, bringing the total to 30. These directors, he clarified, do not hold the rank of presidential staffers but serve as presidential aides.
Hon. Ofosu Kwakye compared these figures to previous administrations, stating that under the NPP in 2017, there were 27 presidential staffers and 256 political appointees. By 2020, the numbers had risen to 36 presidential staffers and 270 political appointees.
He emphasized that in 2022, the NPP’s administration reported 44 presidential staffers and 292 political appointees, making a total of 336 political appointees in the presidency.
Cost-Saving, Reduction in Ministerial Appointments
Hon. Ofosu Kwakye stressed that President Mahama’s administration is committed to maintaining the smallest government in Ghana’s history.
“If in the past, there were 126 ministers, and you reduce the number to 60, that is 66 fewer Land Cruisers that you have to buy. We all know the price of a Land Cruiser today. It is anything between $100,000 and $120,000, which if you convert to Ghana cedis, is almost 2 million Ghana cedis. So, if you are not buying 66 Land Cruisers, you can do the math and see how much money you will be saving for the people of Ghana.”
Hon. Ofosu Kwakye Felix Presidential Spokesperson
Beyond vehicles, the government will also save money on ministerial benefits such as fuel coupons, office expenses, and residential allowances.
“Ministers are also often given salon cars, and a salon car given to a minister can range from anything between $40,000 to $50,000. So, if you are not giving 66 ministers salon cars in addition to the Land Cruisers, worth $40,000 to $50,000, you can do the math and see how much money is saved.”
Hon. Ofosu Kwakye Felix Presidential Spokesperson
Additionally, the reduction in ministers means fewer government offices to operate, leading to further cost reductions. Hon. Ofosu Kwakye pointed out that, under the NPP, ministers received allowances for utilities, domestic staff, and other benefits, which will no longer be the case for the 66 ministers cut from the system.
Hon. Ofosu Kwakye concluded by reiterating that President Mahama’s administration is dedicated to keeping government lean and reducing unnecessary expenditures.
“Let the records be set straight. Any claim that President Mahama has appointed 100 ministers and is hiding some in the presidency is blatantly false. The number of ministers who have been appointed is 56.”
Hon. Ofosu Kwakye Felix Presidential Spokesperson
He emphasized that the government’s prudent approach to appointments is a clear departure from the past and a commitment to responsible governance.
With these measures, Hon. Ofosu Kwakye assured Ghanaians that President Mahama’s government is working towards fiscal discipline, transparency, and accountability. He invited journalists to ask questions regarding the budget, the Cabinet’s deliberations, and the government’s staffing decisions.
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