The restructuring announcement, which incorporates filling posts vacated by MPs pursuing presidential ambitions has left many dissatisfied, particularly after civil society teams referred to as for the elimination of Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, the president’s cousin. He stays in place.
“What we are seeing now is filling vacant spaces in government. This can never be said to be a reshuffle,” says Ransford Gyampo, political science lecturer on the College of Ghana.
Each Alan Kyeremateng on the Ministry of Commerce and Trade and Owusu Afriyie Akoto on the Ministry for Agriculture are presidential aspirants. Kobina Tahir Hammond (MP for Adansi Asokwa) steps as much as the commerce portfolio, whereas Bryan Acheampong (MP for Abetifi) turns into agriculture minister.
Giant cupboard, financial woes
Inherent within the requires a reshuffle was the demand that Akufo-Addo scale back his “elephant-size” authorities as a method of slicing down on public expenditure amidst the nation’s financial disaster.
Ebenezer Kojo Kum reigned as Minister of Chieftaincy for well being causes and was changed by former director of the federal government’s State Pursuits and Governance Authority, Stephen Asamoah Boateng.
“I didn’t think we need a minister for chieftaincy and religious affairs,” Franklin Cudjoe, president of public coverage thinktank IMANI Africa tells The Africa Report.
Ghana’s economic system started displaying indicators of instability final yr with its funds reaching their lowest ebb in additional than 20 years, whereas the price of residing has considerably shot up with December inflation pegged at 54.1%, a 22-year excessive.
“We still stand by the fact that close to ¢6bn ($493m) will be saved for this economy if there is a proper reordering of the ministries, departments and agencies,” provides Cudjoe.
Akufo-Addo has accused those that referred to as for cupboard cuts and adjustments as opposition components looking for to destabilise his authorities.
Ghana is pushing for a $3bn IMF programme, which suggests it should urgently reduce down on expenditure and lift public income to make its money owed sustainable.
Particular person bondholders who’re actively resisting the federal government’s proposal to increase the maturity of their investments and hand them decrease pursuits mentioned lowering the scale of presidency will yield a extra optimistic consequence for the federal government’s financials.
Dangerous behaviour
Disappointment additionally stems from reported earlier inappropriate conduct from some appointees.
Hammond, the minister-designate for Commerce and Trade, dominated media headlines late final yr when he described Ghana’s youth as “empty-headed” in response to jeers on the president when he made an look on the 2022 International Citizen Competition in Accra.
Additionally nominated at commerce and trade ministry as deputy minister is Stephen Amoah (MP for Nhviaeso). He was trolled final yr when he claimed the federal government was engaged on making a “Chinese movie” trade in Kumasi to be referred to as “Ghana Chinese.”
“We are coming to start Chinese movies in Kumasi, they call it Ghana Chinese”
– Dr. Stephen Amoah [MP, Nhyiaeso] #JoySMS pic.twitter.com/EgF026AbKy
— Pleasure 99.7 FM (@Joy997FM) April 1, 2022
Juggling titles
Different members of cupboard have been elevated inside their portfolios or moved to totally different ministries solely.
Mohammed Amin Adam (MP for Karaga) has been moved from the place of deputy Vitality Minister to the place of minister of state on the Ministry of Finance.
The reorganisation additionally sees Herbert Krapa, a deputy minister of Commerce and Trade transfer to the Ministry of Vitality as a deputy minister.
Osei Bonsu Amoah (MP for Akuapem South) has moved up the ladder from deputy minister to minister of Native Authorities, Decentralisation and Rural Improvement.
Akufo-Addo responded to calls to cut back and shuffle the cupboard final yr by saying he had no intention of endeavor a reshuffle insisting that his appointees have been assembly his expectations.
These present appointees should be accredited by parliament earlier than formally taking over their roles.
With barely two years earlier than the subsequent normal elections in Ghana, there’s little anticipation that these new appointees, if confirmed, might be driving main coverage choices.
#africannews #african_news
