The Minority in Parliament has criticized Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), for his promise to limit ministerial appointments to 50 if elected as Ghana’s next president.
During the NPP’s manifesto launch in Takoradi on Sunday, August 18, Dr. Bawumia emphasized that efficient governance does not require a large number of ministers.
However, Deputy Minority Whip Ahmed Ibrahim challenged this pledge, arguing that the number of officials working under Dr. Bawumia as Vice President already exceeds the number of ministers appointed by the Akufo-Addo government, thereby casting doubt on his commitment to this promise.
Dr. Mahamudu Bamwumia’s office alone, the number of people, technical advisors, spokespersons who are there, are more than the 123 ministers that he is talking of. When you see anybody who has no official appointment and is using V8, the person works in Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s office. And that is why the land cruisers have now become common.
“You cannot operate with 50 ministers and allow over 100 special aids in your office. That too must be worked on.”
Ahmed Ibrahim also expressed disappointment over the failure of the NPP manifesto to highlight measures towards the servicing of Ghana’s debt.
“You have collapsed the economy and the most serious thing that I was waiting to hear from them was how we are going to deal with the challenge of servicing our debt. I didn’t hear that thing from them. It means they were not trustworthy, and they were not straightforward with Ghanaians.
“Let Ghanaians know that, look, we are not servicing our debt now. We are not paying our loans now. We have been given a period to pay in 2026. Therefore, in 2026, when we start paying our debt, this will be a hardship and challenge because we are deferring all our suffering.”
