The Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has opined that several ministers appointed by successive governments do not add value to the governance of the country.
Speaking at a public lecture at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) on Tuesday, the longest serving lawmaker said some ministers are rudimental learners who cannot help to develop policy.”
This, according to him, is “one principal reason we are marking time and stuck” in terms of development.
“The Constitution provides that you all assist the President to evolve policies for your ministry, you are telling us at the appointment committee that we should approve of you when you go there you will go and learn so what value addition are they adding to our governance?” he quizzed.
“I am not talking about the current NPP administration, since 1993. The time has come for us to seriously introspect on this,” he added.
He further, suggested a cut in the number of ministers to 19 to help save the public purse.
“The Constitution provides in Article 76(1), that there shall be a cabinet which shall consist of the President, the Vice President and not more than 19 ministers of state.
Given the role of cabinet ministers, that is for running the state efficiently and assisting the President in the determination of policy of his government, it is my contention that apart from regional ministers, the number of central government ministers may not have to exceed 19 as contained in the Constitution.
And that means ministries shall also not have to exceed 19. All ministers to be relevant and to be able to assist in the evolution and determination of policies in their sectors, must be cabinet ministers.
The excess numbers must be cut off and that will significantly reduce public expenditure. For the avoidance of doubt, the Constitution must provide for that”, he explained.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
