A Deputy National Organizer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Joshua Amidu Akamba has slammed President Nana Akufo-Addo over his appointments.
There is an ongoing brouhaha over the 110 ministers appointed by President Akufo-Addo to steer the affairs of his administration.
The president has justified his decision to appoint the number which has been christened the biggest in Ghana’s history.
President Akufo-Addo has said “I don’t believe that my government in the Fourth Republic has big numbers in view of the swollen challenges.”
But speaking to Rainbow Radio, Mr. Akamba, wondered why a government that criticized the previous government over numbers has become the biggest in Ghana’s history.
He said the number or size of ministers is the highest and the worst part is that, the president is appointing his friends, family and cronies.
‘’Former president Mahama was slammed and accused of appointing friends and family but what do we see today? The current administration has appointed his relatives, friends and cronies.’’
He said, the president will not use his personal money to pay the appointees hence; the numbers will be a drain on the public purse.
He insisted the argument that the number of ministers is intended to help the president deliver on his campaign promises, is not justified.
Mr. Joshua Amidu Akamba noted that the promises of the president are now in limbo because the government has started showing signs of disappointment.
Touching on the free senior high school, he said the president has discriminated against some students by stating that the policy will only benefit first years.
‘’President Akufo-Addo has decided to discriminate against some Ghanaians,'' he said.
According to him, former president Mahama who was widely criticized for appointing 77 ministers demanded of them to bring some of their pay which was kept into the consolidated fund and later used to construct chip compounds to enhance the delivery of healthcare.
In a barrage of questions, he asked: ‘’was this the competence President Akufo-Addo and his Vice President Dr. Bawumia promised us? Are they competent than former president Mahama? How can a competent government appoint a Senior Minister in charge of economy and appoint a Finance Minister?
Mr. Akamba was asked why the current government is being chastised over the appointments after it has explained that it will help manage the crippling economy and make it robust, he said it will be hypocritical on the part of the Nana Addo led administration to claim that our economy was weak yet has appointed more ministers to give them luxury.
‘’The claim that the economy is in a bad state but they have allocated funds to all the districts for the Ghana@60 celebration. Where did they get the money from? Did they bring these funds from their homes or was it part of the revenue generated under the former president?’’
He accused the NPP of always creating scenarios to divert attention so they can engage in their frivolous actions.
When asked an ideal number of ministers that can help steer the affairs of government in Ghana with a population of over 25 million he said ten.
