MP for Damongo, Abu Jinapor
The Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has stated that President John Mahama, despite promising Ghanaians he would form the leanest government, has appointed a total of 100 ministers and deputy ministers.
Making his submission on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, he claimed that this has resulted in significant expenses for the national treasury, contrary to what the president promised.
“President Mahama has formed arguably one of the largest governments in the history of our country in terms of cost to the national exchequer. Why do I say this? Take, for example, the appointment of Dr. Valerie Sawyer as Senior Presidential Advisor in charge of government affairs. Her rank is equivalent to that of a cabinet minister who also serves as a Member of Parliament. This means her salary, emoluments, and conditions of service are the same as those of a cabinet minister who is also an MP.
Mr. Speaker, the President has appointed a Presidential Advisor on the Economy, a Presidential Advisor on the 24-hour Economy, a Presidential Advisor and Special Aide to the President, a Presidential Advisor on the National Anti-Corruption Programme, and a Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs,” he stated.
He continued: “Mr. Speaker, he has also appointed a Presidential Advisor, a Presidential Staffer and Special Aide to the Vice President, a Presidential Staffer for the Black Star Experience, and a Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs. Additionally, he has appointed five policy advisors to the Vice President.
Furthermore, he announced the appointment of a Minister for Agribusiness, yet he has also appointed a Director at the Presidency in charge of Agriculture and Agribusiness—my good friend, Peter Boamah Otokunor.
Mr. Speaker, he claimed he would not appoint deputy ministers, yet he has appointed 16 presidential staffers in charge of the 16 regions of our country. In reality, when considering their cost to the national treasury, these presidential staffers essentially function as deputy ministers of state.
Mr. Speaker, he has also appointed a Presidential Advisor on Media, four Directors of Communication at the Office of the President, five Deputy Directors of Communication, two Communication Specialists, five Technical Communication Assistants, one Media Aide, one Assistant Media Liaison Officer, and one Communications Consultant.”
The former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, drawing from his experience as a former Deputy Chief of Staff, asserted that the President has broken his vow with these appointments.
“Mr. Speaker, I have done the mathematics, and I make this submission not from a political standpoint but as someone who had the privilege and honor to serve as Deputy Chief of Staff. I understand how these appointments impact the national treasury, and based on my calculations, the President has effectively appointed 100 ministers and deputy ministers,” he concluded.
Honourable Samuel Abu Jinapor, Member of Parliament for Damango Constituency, has highlighted during his submission on the floor of Parliament today that, President Mahama’s administration has appointed a total of 100 ministers and deputy ministers, resulting in significant… pic.twitter.com/qWyNMa47Fc
— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) March 5, 2025
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Meanwhile, watch this Ghana Month special edition of People and Places as we hear the story of how the head of Kwame Nkrumah’s bronze statue was returned after 43 years, below:
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