Surreptitious attempts by President John Dramani Mahama to conceal his much brandished propaganda of forming a lean government with 60 ministers of state has been badly exposed.
This is because the Member of Parliament (MP) for Damongo, Mr. Samuel Abu Jinapor, has argued that the President has sneakily appointed 100 ministers in various nomenclatures, contrary to claims he has reduced the size of his government.
Mr. Abu Jinapor, a former Deputy Chief of Staff, raised concerns over the increasing number of presidential staffers, some at the rank of cabinet ministers, and their financial burden on the national exchequer even though they do not go through Parliamentary vetting as ministers of state.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, March 5 2025, during the debate on President Mahama’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) to the Legislature, the Damongo MP questioned the necessity and cost implications of the numerous advisors and staffers appointed by the president.
He referred to specific appointments, such as Dr. Valerie Sawyer, Senior Presidential Advisor in charge of Government Affairs, who holds the rank of a Cabinet Minister.
According to the former Deputy Chief of Staff, Valerie’s salary, benefits, and office expenses are equivalent to those of a Cabinet Minister who also serves as a Member of Parliament.
Mr. Abu Jinapor also listed a number of other appointments, including Presidential Advisors on Economy, 24-Hour Economy, Special Aid to the President, National Anti-Corruption Programme, and Diaspora Affairs.
The lawmaker representing the Damongo constituency who is also a former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, further mentioned the appointment of Presidential Staffers for the Vice President, Black Star Experience, and Diaspora Affairs, as well as five Policy Advisors to the Vice President.
“Mr. Speaker, he goes on to appoint Presidential Advisor, Presidential Staffer in Special Aid to the Vice President. Presidential Staffer for Black Star Experience. And then Presidential Staffer for Diaspora Affairs.
“The list goes on and on. I won’t be surprised if very soon we have a Presidential Advisor on ‘nkukɔ nkitin nkti, or ‘Okada’ business,” Mr. Abu Jinapor said mockingly.
16 regional presidential staffers
Mr. Abu Jinapor slammed the appointment of 16 Presidential Staffers in charge of the 16 regions of the country, arguing that these positions effectively function as Deputy Ministers of State.
He questioned the rationale behind these appointments, especially when the president had previously declared his intention not to appoint at all or reduce the number of Deputy Regional Ministers.
“Mr. Speaker, I want to submit that these Presidential Staffers in charge of the 16 regions of our country, in essence, as it relates to the cost on the National Exchequer, are in fact indeed and in substance, Deputy Ministers of State,” he asserted.
Size of media team
Mr. Abu Jinapor also pointed out the extensive media and communication team appointed by the president, including 1 Presidential Advisor for Media, 4 Directors of Communication, 5 Deputy Directors, 2 Communication Specialists, 5 Technical Communication Assistants, 1 Media Aide, 1 Assistant Media Liaison Officer, and 1 Communicative Consultant.
“Mr. Speaker, I have done the Mathematics, and I want to submit that the President has appointed 100 Ministers and Deputy Ministers,” Mr. Abu Jinapor stated, emphasising the financial strain these appointments place on the national budget.
Experience in government
According to Mr. Abu Jinapor, his critique was not partisan but based on his experience in government.
He called for greater prudence in governance to reduce unnecessary expenditure and ensure efficient use of public funds.
“I do this not from a partisan lens, but as somebody who had the privilege and honour to serve as Deputy Chief of Staff. I know how it works. In terms of the cost on the National Exchequer, these appointments are excessive,” stressed.
