The Abura Asebu Kwamankese Member of Parliament (MP), Felix Ofosu Kwakye, has revealed that there are currently fewer than 60 presidential staffers, as well as Ministers and Deputy Ministers.
Mr. Ofosu Kwakye, who also serves as the Minister for Government Communications, made this known while addressing Parliament on Wednesday.
He reaffirmed President John Mahama’s commitment to cutting frivolous expenditures.
“If you move from 123/125 ministers to 60 ministers, Mr. Speaker, that means you are going to buy 60 fewer Land Cruisers. You are going to buy 60 fewer salon cars. You will need to provide 60 fewer bungalows. You will need to provide 60 fewer sets of political aides and research assistants and what have you.
“Mr. Speaker, President Mahama has not limited himself to just reducing the number of ministers. As I speak to you, there are only 56 ministers. In fact, Ghana is currently being run by just 42 ministers because deputy ministers have not been approved,” he explained.
However, Damongo MP and former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, disagreed.
He acknowledged that President Mahama has indeed appointed fewer than 60 ministers but accused him of filling the Jubilee House with excessive staff.
According to him, the President is struggling to keep his promise, appointing more staffers whose salaries and benefits match those of Ministers and Deputy Ministers.
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