Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensa Bonsu, has disclosed that he has stopped taking his fuel coupon allocation as a cabinet minister in response to the country’s economic crisis.

According to him, government has performed significantly well when it comes to expenditure cuts, even though he admits more can be done. He indicated that he would agree if Ghanaians said government must do more, but to say that it hasn’t done enough, and anything, is not the right move.

“I just pointed out to you what happened yesterday, and I’m aware that the President has directed that 30% of the salaries of the Ministers must be forfeited to some other enterprise. That they should forgo a third of their salaries which is significant and also government is saying that ‘look, we’re not going to establish any new bureaucracies.”
Osei Kyei Mensa Bonsu

Mr Mensah Bonsu indicated that while the government prepares to do more towards alleviating the plight of Ghanaians, he is personally embarking on his own austerity journey to support government efforts.

“I personally think that I must do more. Don’t forget they were giving out fuel coupons for instance, that one has been cut out. No, I [no] longer take fuel coupons as a cabinet minister. It doesn’t come to me. And even parliament here, as the majority leader, I’m not having half of what I used to have prior to 2021.”
Osei Kyei Mensa Bonsu

Reshuffle in government by President Akufo-Addo

Meanwhile, Mr Bonsu explained that the recent change President Akufo-Addo has made to his government is to reinvigorate his administration.

The Majority Leader noted that the change would bring new ideas to the administration.

“Well, people wanted to see some new faces and to maybe help generate new ideas onto the table to reinvigorate the administration. And I think that is the purpose of this reshuffle. I’ve seen some people aside from the two mentioned; Stephen Amoah has come on board, Amin Adam has gone from Deputy Energy to Finance and he’s a very versatile personality, I think that he may also positively affect the Finance Ministry. So, let’s leave it to see how much it will translate into positivity for government and indeed for the country.”
Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu

His comment followed the President’s reshuffle of Ministers following the resignation of Trade Minister, Alan Kyerematen; Agric Minister, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto and Chieftaincy Minister, Ebenezer Kojo Kum.

As required by the 1992 Constitution, the President wrote to the Speaker of Parliament, informing him of the new changes in government on Tuesday, February 7.

New persons have been appointed while other ministers have been reshuffled to other ministries.

Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, K.T Hammond, has been appointed Minister-designate for Trade and Industry, while Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Brian Acheampong, has been appointed Minister-designate for Food and Agriculture.

Similarly, the Member of Parliament for Karaga, Mohammed Amin Adam, who was stationed at the Energy Ministry as deputy Minister has been given a new post. He has been appointed Minister of State at the Finance Ministry. He is set to replace Charles Adu Boahen.

Reacting to this, the Minority Chief Whip, Kwame Agbodza, stated that the reshuffle that has been done by President Akufo-Addo is not comprehensive enough. He highlighted that the changes cannot solve the economic challenges facing the country at the moment.

“Akufo Addo’s reshuffle will not be comprehensive enough to deal with the economic challenges we have. I have all the respect for the individuals nominated. But what is the use of a portfolio called minister of State at the Presidency currently?”
Kwame Agbodza