We will judge Akufo-Addo's 110 ministers after four years – Prof. Gyimah-Boadi

Executive Director of Afrobarometer, Professor Emmanuel Gyimah-Boadi has urged Ghanaians to make their verdict on the performance of President Akufo-Addo's government size when it's time to pass judgement after 4 years.

Many eyebrows were raised after Akufo-Addo appointed the largest number of ministers (110) in the nation's history since independence insisting that the performance of his team should be the benchmark to judge them.

The former Executive Director of Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) remarked that he felt scandalised like many other Ghanaians after the announcements were made.

However, Professor Gyimah-Boadi observes that despite the assurances given by the President, the performance of his government should be one to interest everyone throughout his tenure.

Speaking in an interview with Kwabena Kyenkyenhene Boateng, host of '21minutes with KKB' on ghanaweb.com, the professor recounted, "Well for some of us, the number 110 just sounded scandalous. We felt scandalous that we could have this very very high numbers but since the President says we have to watch the performance, it’s one of those areas that we have to 'watch this space’”

The debate about the number of Ministers the president should be permitted to appoint was reawaken by Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu who argued that the number should be capped at 65.

He emphasised the need to have a legislation backing his proposal to make it binding on all Presidents of the nation.

Haruna Iddrisu made the proposal when he addressed the launch of the National Public Sector Reform Strategy (NPSRS 2018-2013) in Accra.

Professor Gyimah-Boadi, however, believes that any judgement of the number appointed by the president should be made after four years when we have had occasion to evaluate the work done within the period of his first term in office.

"In four years, we will get the chance as a nation to judge as to whether it has been worth having 110 ministers and others, I'm suggesting that there is an opportunity to make a judgement down the line so I will wait for that opportunity" he suggested.