Chartered Economist, Rev. Dr. Sam Worlanyo Mensah has stated that the condition of Ghana’s economy, post-COVID, will not allow for more than one deputy minister in the various ministries.
He believes that already, the ministries are already equipped with technocrats and experts who are already conversant with policies and plans of the ministries that can progress Government’s business.
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He shared these thoughts in an interview with Samuel Eshun on the Happy Morning Show aired on e.TV Ghana and Happy 98.9FM.
“We already have directors and experts in the ministry so we don’t need two or three deputies. We only need a deputy and even under normal circumstance, during a post covid economy we can just have a minister because we have various directors and technocrats in the ministry performing these functions”.
The Chartered Economist while suggesting this, acknowledged that Government has limitations when it comes to appointing ministers in the country.
He expressed: “We equally have a constitutional mandate that about 50 percent of the ministers should come from parliament and so that may also be a challenge because if the President is to select technocrats, he needs to match those technocrats with those from parliament. Also, when the president is trying to get some regional balance to form an all-inclusive government that may also be a challenge but I think that rather than appointing the two deputies, one may be okay”.
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On Monday, 19th April, 2021, it was reported that President Nana Addo will be naming his last batch of ministerial appointments and deputy ministerial list this week to complete the formation of his second-term Government.
Sources indicate that the Finance, Trade and Industry as well as the Energy ministries will have three Deputy Ministers.
Some of the names expected to be on the list include Abena Osei Asare, Charles Adu Boahen, John Kumah, Dokua Asiamah Adjei, Okyere Baafi, Herbert Krapa, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, Amin Adam and Owuraku Aidoo.
By: Alberta Dorcas N D Armah