President John Dramani Mahama is facing what mathematicians might call an optimization problem. But in the realm of Ghanaian politics, it’s more like a high-stakes juggling act that’s rapidly running out of options.
Just two weeks into his presidency, Mahama’s bold campaign promises about a lean government and gender representation seem to be crashing into the hard reality of Ghana’s governance needs.
The numbers tell the story – and they’re not adding up in the president’s favour.
During his campaign, Mahama pledged to run a streamlined administration with just 60 ministers including deputies, and promised 30% female representation in his government.
He also committed to announcing all ministerial appointments within 14 days of his 7 January inauguration as part of his “120-day social contract” with Ghanaians.
THE NUMBERS GAME
The appointment rollout has proceeded in four major announcements:
In his first batch of nominations on 9 January, Mahama named three key ministers: Dr Cassiel Ato Forson for Finance, John Jinapor for Energy, and Dominic Akuritinga Ayini for Justice – all male appointments.
The second wave came on 14 January, when 10 regional minister nominees were announced, including three women: Mrs Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey (Eastern Region), Linda Ocloo (Greater Accra), and Charity Gardiner (Ahafo Region). The list also included Ali Adolf John (Northern), John Kwadwo Gyapong (Oti), James Gunu (Volta), Dr Frank Amoakohene (Ashanti), and others.
On 16 January, a third batch of 12 regional and ministerial appointees was revealed in an intercepted document, which included appointments like Haruna Iddrisu (Education), Kwame Governs Agbodza (Roads), Eric Opoku (Agriculture), Agnes Naa Momo Lartey (Gender), and Abla Dzifa Gomashie (Tourism).
The latest and most substantial announcement came on 21 January, naming 14 ministers of state and 3 regional ministers. This batch included notable appointments such as Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah (Defence), Samuel Nartey George (Communications), Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah (Lands), and several others.
And this is where the mathematics has become a political headache. With these appointments and only hours remaining until his self-imposed deadline, Mahama’s promises are looking increasingly difficult to reconcile.
It’s basic arithmetic, Mahama has given himself 23 ministries that traditionally need deputies. Add 16 regional ministers, and you’re already over the 60-minister cap before considering ministers of state. Something has to give.
With all major appointments now made public through four different announcements between January 9 and 21, the ministerial architecture is taking clear shape and tells a story of careful balancing – or at least an attempt at it. Of the 42 appointments made thus far:
Cabinet Configuration:
- 23 substantive ministries + 3 ministers of state (down from 30 under previous administration)
- 16 regional ministers
Gender Mathematics:
- Male appointees: 35 (83.3%)
- Female appointees: 7 (16.7%)
- Gap to 30% target: 11 additional women needed to reach 18 women in a 60-minister cabinet
THE GENDER EQUATION
If the total numbers present a challenge, the gender mathematics is even more daunting.
Of the 42 appointments made so far, seven are women, representing approximately 19% of current appointments. These include Agnes Naa Momo Lartey (Gender), Abla Dzifa Gomashie (Tourism), Emelia Arthur (Fisheries), Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare (Trade), Linda Ocloo (Greater Accra), Mrs Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey (Eastern Region), and Charity Gardiner (Ahafo).
To hit the promised 30% women representation in a 60-person cabinet, Mahama would need to appoint 18 women in total.
With seven currently appointed, that means 11 of the remaining appointments would need to be women – a tall order given Ghana’s political landscape and the remaining positions to be filled.
THE STRUCTURAL CHALLENGE
The Civil Service Instrument 2025 establishes 23 ministries, down from 30 under the previous administration.
On paper, this reduction aligns with Mahama’s lean government promise. In practice, it’s creating a different kind of pressure.
Each ministry traditionally receives a deputy minister, creating a baseline of 46 positions. Add to this:
- 16 regional ministers
- 3 ministers of state already appointed
- Potential deputy regional ministers
Even without deputy regional ministers, the total exceeds the promised 60-minister cap.
THE WAY OUT?
Mahama’s administration has three potential paths forward, none of them politically painless:
- Break the 60-minister promise: The politically expedient choice, but one that would damage credibility early in the administration.
- Eliminate deputy positions: Politically difficult and potentially administratively unwise.
- Restructure government operations: The most innovative solution, but one that would face resistance from Ghana’s entrenched bureaucracy.
THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Ghana has a history of large cabinets.
The previous administration under Nana Akufo-Addo had over 120 ministers at its peak, drawing criticism for its size. Mahama’s promise of 60 ministers was seen as a direct response to this criticism.
The evolution of Ghana’s ministerial architecture through the Fourth Republic inception in 1993 reveals a pattern of gradual expansion – until now:
Rawlings Era (1993-2000):
- Maintained lean cabinet of approximately 35 ministers
- Established regional ministerial system
- Limited deputy ministerial appointments
- Focus on economic recovery and democratic consolidation
Kufuor Administration (2001-2008):
- Expanded cabinet to approximately 70 ministers
- Introduced new ministries including Aviation, Harbours and Railways
- Created separate ministries for Women’s Affairs and Children
- Established Ministry of Private Sector Development
- Pioneered presidential staffing at ministerial level
Mills Administration (2009-2012):
- Maintained moderate cabinet size of about 75 ministers
- Merged some ministries to improve efficiency
- Introduced Better Ghana Agenda-focused ministries
- Emphasised ministerial coordination for development projects
- Retained regional minister structure with limited deputies
First Mahama Administration (2012-2016):
- Cabinet peaked at 84 ministers
- Introduced coordinating ministers for complex portfolios
- Established regional development authorities
- Created new ministries to handle emerging sectors
- Focus on infrastructure development and social intervention
Akufo-Addo Era (2017-2024):
- Largest cabinet in Ghana’s history (120+ ministers)
- Multiple deputy ministers per ministry
- Created six new regions requiring additional ministers
- Introduced several special-purpose ministries
- Expanded presidential staffers at ministerial rank
Current Mahama Strategy (2025-):
- Promised maximum of 60 ministers including deputies
- Consolidated ministries from 30 to 23
- Focus on efficient governance and reduced expenditure (campaign promise)
- Emphasis on gender representation and youth inclusion (campaign promise)
This historical context makes Mahama’s current streamlining attempt particularly significant. While previous administrations expanded governmental structure, often citing developmental needs, Mahama’s approach represents Ghana’s first serious attempt at ministerial downsizing since 1993.
The question remains: Can this leaner structure deliver effective governance? History suggests Ghana’s bureaucracy has grown in response to genuine administrative needs, not mere political expediency.
Mahama’s experiment may well test whether Ghana’s government can do more with less.
THE NEXT 24 HOURS
As the clock ticks down on Mahama’s 14-day deadline for appointments, all eyes are on the presidency. The administration’s choices in the coming hours will signal its approach to campaign promises versus governance requirements.
The outcome will likely set the tone for Mahama’s broader “120-day social contract” with Ghanaians – and perhaps for his entire presidency.
Something has to give. Either the 60-minister cap, the 30% gender representation target, or the traditional structure of Ghana’s government will need to be sacrificed.
The president promised a reset. Now we’re about to see what kind of change he meant.
The next 24 hours will tell whether Mahama can square this political circle – or whether some campaign promises will join the long list of political pledges that couldn’t survive contact with governmental reality.
