Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante, a renowned political scientist, has suggested that President John Dramani Mahama can effectively govern with a cabinet of 19 ministers, contrary to the president’s promise to cap the number of ministers at 60.
President Mahama had pledged to reduce the number of ministries from 30 to 23, as part of his broader strategy to improve public service delivery, reduce government costs, and promote accountability, cost-efficiency, and streamlined decision-making.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey, Dr. Asah-Asante, Dr. Asah-Asante commended the reduction in ministries and the intent to reduce the number of ministers.
However, he argued that the Constitution permits a cabinet size of between 10 and 19 ministers, emphasizing that this smaller group of senior ministers takes crucial decisions with the President.
According to Dr. Asah-Asante, capping the number of ministers at 19 would ensure the proper handling of state affairs, as it aligns with the constitutional provisions.
He also noted that the law requires 16 regional ministries, which could be accommodated within the proposed 19-minister cabinet.
He stated, “Even though the president has promised 60, I think he can do with 19. If you are serious about ensuring that the pairs of the State is rightly handled. if you read the constitutions, it says that the lower ceilings of the cabinet is 10 and upper ceiling is 19. Let us remember that cabinet is that small group of senior-most ministers who take decisions with the Chief Executives, the President for instance. So when you talk about any important issue, it’s not about any ordinary minister or a deputy minister and the law also says that you need 16 regional ministries and I’m supposing 19.”
