Director of Policy Engagement and Advocacy at the Centre for Democratic Development, Ghana (CDD Ghana), Dr. Emmanuel Kojo Asante, has restated calls for government to reduce its size to help curb the economic challenges facing the country.
He indicated that it is not sufficient that President Akuffo Addo only decided to hold on to the 30% cut on Ministerial salaries, when more could have been done to reflect the season of sacrifice the government is leading Ghanaians into.
Speaking in a media interview, Mr Asante disclosed it would have served the President well had he listened to the advice of civil society organisations and some individuals to reduce the size of his government by dismissing some Ministers and Deputy Ministers.
This follows the President’s address to the nation on the ailing economy of the country on Sunday, October 30, 2022.
“They might be symbolic, they might not be the ones that will reduce your external debt or whatever, but it’s symbolic. Let not people see the profligacy and all of those things people have to live within their means.”
“We can reduce ministers. I do not understand why we need three deputy ministers in some places, two deputy ministers in others. We can reduce that. These are very important morale boosting actions. I don’t understand why government is resisting on addressing it because when you don’t do that then you’re going to get stuck in this credibility hole.”
Mr Asante
According to Mr Asante, with the President’s trust rate currently being ranked as the lowest since the Afrobarometer report was launched in 1999, it would have served him well to take these drastic actions to boost morale and support.
“After the President’s speech, anybody who has followed interactions on social media will notice there are all kinds of mime. So if government does not appreciate and understand that there is this gap, and this gap has to be closed. If the people are going to come with you, then I don’t understand what they’re looking at.”
Mr Asante
Government Appointees To Continue With 30% Cut Down
In a half-hour address on Sunday, President Nana Akufo-Addo, addressed the nation to explain the measures his government will be taking to see its way out of the current financial crisis, including measures to support domestic production.
Among these measures, Nana Akufo-Addo announced a 30% cut in budgeted voluntary expenditures and salaries of the President, Vice President, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, and political office holders.
“We are in a crisis, I do not exaggerate when I say so. I cannot find an example in history when so many evil forces have come together at the same time.
“But, as we have shown in other circumstances, we shall turn this crisis into an opportunity to resolve not just the short-term, urgent problems, but the long-term structural problems that continue to bedevil our economy.”
President Akuffo Addo
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said the decision to still hold on with the policy was agreed on at the just ended Cabinet Retreat at Peduase Lodge from 27th to 29th October.
