Franklin Cudjoe, president of IMANI Africa has questioned the rationale behind the appointment of three deputy ministers for some ministries by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. The ministries of Energy, Trade and Industries and Local Government will have three deputy ministers, according to the list released on Wednesday by the Office of the President.
The list of 39 deputy ministers-designate and one Minister of State-designate has been submitted to the Speaker, Alban Bagbin, for vetting and approval.
Speaking on Asaase FM Thursday, Cudjoe said: “Here we are with 39 deputy ministers but the element of surprise for me is the number of deputy ministers for some of the various ministries like local government for instance, Trade and Energy, three deputies in all of these ministries.”
“I am just wondering why those numbers, but of course the president will be the best person to know, but I will respect that… It was just an element of surprise. Other ministries have one, I don’t see why some ministries should have three. I can understand that of finance, I can understand two deputies for Attorney General’s Department because obviously there is lack of proper personnel.”
Pleasant surprise
He cited the appointment of former CEO of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), John Kumah, as deputy finance minister as “very surprising”.
“If there is any surprise, that will be John Kumah who himself said he was pleasantly surprised about the appointment himself and said he didn’t merit the position, but I am sure he was being humble. That was a pleasant surprise.”
The president of IMANI Africa was, however, unhappy Dr Bernard Okoe Boye, former deputy health minister, was never considered despite the significant role he played during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: asaaseradio
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I think, one should rather be interested to know what informed the President's decision to make those appointments than just criticize it. Quite often, we jump to discredit certain actions without knowing the underlining factors that informed the decisions. The president has a vision which he wants to accomplish within specific timelines. Given the mandatory four-year term, you are already tight with time to get policies and projects accomplished to a level which should be meaningful, so that your successor could continue if the need be. Hence, the projects have to be policy conformed especially when they are transformative, and a visionary President like Akufo-Addo would not want such policies to be abandoned. Indeed, to transform the colonial economic structures, into a modern-day industrialization, you need to have the fundamental factors right. It is also instructive to note that most of the Deputy Ministers are MPs and so their salaries will be topped up. I hope I have exhibited some thoughts which may inform the President's decision to appoint 3 Deputies for the Ministry of Trade and Industry. I do agree with the President of IMANI Africa reserving to any harsh criticism.