The fate of some nominated ministers and deputies will be determined today, Friday, March 24, 2023, in Parliament. The nominees include the Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, K.T Hammond as the Minister for Trade and Industry with the Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, Dr Stephen Amoah serving as his deputy. The Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Bryan Acheampong was also appointed as the Minister for Food and Agriculture, and Stephen Asamoah Boateng was appointed as the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
The Minority in Parliament has however announced that it will vote against President Akufo-Addo’s newly appointed ministers in a bid to help the government reduce spending during the current economic crisis. Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson said that the house must collectively reject the candidates, notwithstanding their sympathies for some of the nominees who are their fellow lawmakers.
He also urged the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) members to stand for Ghana and not for their fellow party members just as the National Democratic Congress stands with the people of Ghana. He called on his colleagues to vote outrightly against the nominees for the future of the country. Meanwhile, the Majority Leader Osei Kyei -Mensah – Bonsu appealed to the lawmakers to approve the newly appointed ministers.
On Monday, February 20, 2023, before the newly nominated ministers were vetted, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) urged the Minority group not to support them because they thought that their appointments were inconsiderate and would skyrocket government expenditure in the face of our ongoing economic crisis.
Aside from the gargantuan salaries that Ministers in Ghana are paid, they enjoy several other benefits including an official vehicle, household allowance, free medical care, holiday facilities, a retirement package, and the list is endless, all at the expense of the ordinary Ghanaian who struggles to survive daily.
More ministerial appointments mean more of the taxpayers’ monies will be directed towards paying the salaries of government workers which further depletes the government’s limited resources. If only our leaders could be more forward-thinking and consider the plight of Ghanaians in these difficult times. There have been several propositions from various stakeholders to downsize the government but the government seems adamant and has turned a deaf ear to all these pleas. Politics must transcend amassing wealth and be driven by a desire to serve the good people of the country and prioritize citizens’ interests.
Priscilla Fumadorh
Priscilla is an entrepreneur and a creative communicator who loves to communicate through writing. She is passionate about national economic issues and does not miss a chance to offer her opinions on them for the good of the country.