Osafo-Maafo, others as Ministers a complete drain on national coffers – Mahama

Senior Minister Yaw Osafo-Maafo and others serving as ministers of state is a complete drain on the national coffers, Former President John Dramani Mahama has observed.

“The Senior Minister, Minister of State in the Office of Vice President, Minister of State in the Office of Senior Minister, Ministers for Procurement, Monitoring and Evaluation, Business Development, Special Initiatives, Aviation, Railway Development are all an unnecessary charge on the public purse”, President Mahama stated during a closed door meeting with some disappointed business owners and importers in his office on Monday.

According to the former President in reaction to concerns about government’s increasing budget overruns he said “there can be no justification for some of the ministerial portfolios created by this administration.”

He also argued that with the completion of the creation of new regions, the Ministry for Regional Reorganization has been rendered redundant. Mr. Mahama further called for the reduction in the number of ministers responsible for Security.

President Mahama described as unconscionable the appointment of over 60 Deputy Ministers and pledged to drastically cut the size of Government if Ghanaians give him their mandate to serve a second term from January 2021

Mr. Mahama challenged President Nana Akufo-Addo to immediately cut the size of his government by about 40 Ministers and Deputy Ministers to bring efficiency by reducing government expenditure and help balance the budget.

The NDC Flagbearer noted that the number of ministers will make no difference to the already lacklustre performance of the Akufo-Addo administration.