The immediate past Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North, Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi, has urged President John Dramani Mahama to reconsider his campaign pledge to appoint only 60 ministers if the realities of governance demand otherwise.
Speaking on TV3’s The KeyPoints on January 11, 2025, Appiah-Kubi stated that while a lean government is commendable, it should not come at the expense of Ghana’s progress.
“Let Mr. Mahama consider that campaign message as presidential candidate then. Now he is our President, let him think presidential. If for any reason he thinks that Ghana cannot do with 60 ministers, let him do what is good for the country,” he said.
Appiah-Kubi drew parallels with former President John Agyekum Kufuor, who adjusted his campaign promises after taking office when faced with the realities of governance. He urged Ghanaians to remain flexible, recognising that decisions made during campaigns may need to evolve once in government.
“I cited also President Kufuor, who before he became President, gave out certain indices. He came to be a President, and the realities dawned on him—that what he was talking about in his capacity as a presidential candidate was different from what he was seeing in his seat as President,” he explained.
While advocating for a lean government to reduce state expenditure, Appiah-Kubi stressed that national interest must take precedence over campaign rhetoric.
“Indeed, bringing us a lean government is a policy that I admired and I respect, but let us not hold him to it,” he added.
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