By: Ebenezer Adugyamfi-Gyamfi / Emmanuel Ayiku
Date: June 16, 2026
For GhanaianNewsCanada
Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has renewed criticism of President John Dramani Mahama‘s claim of running a lean government, arguing that the true size of the administration becomes much larger when presidential staffers, advisors, and other political appointees are taken into account.
According to Jinapor, while the President has repeatedly highlighted his decision to limit ministerial appointments, the overall number of government appointees tells a different story and raises concerns about public expenditure.
Questions Over the “Lean Government” Narrative
The Damongo lawmaker argues that focusing solely on ministers and deputy ministers does not present the full picture of government appointments.
He contends that several presidential staffers and advisors perform functions similar to those traditionally carried out by ministers or deputy ministers and are funded by the state. As a result, he believes the government’s lean-government narrative is misleading when all appointments are considered together.
Jinapor previously stated that when ministers, deputy ministers, presidential staffers, advisors, and other senior appointees are combined, the total number approaches 100 appointments.
Government Rejects the Claim
The Mahama administration has strongly disputed Jinapor’s assertions.
Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu has maintained that President Mahama has fulfilled his campaign promise to appoint no more than 60 ministers and deputy ministers. Government officials insist that presidential staffers should not be counted as ministers because they perform different administrative functions.
According to government figures, the administration had appointed 56 ministers and deputy ministers at the time of the dispute, with only a few remaining appointments outstanding to reach the promised total of 60.
Mahama Defends His Record
President Mahama has also defended his government’s size, arguing that the number of political appointees at the Presidency is significantly lower than under the previous administration.
The President stated that his government had appointed only 30 political appointees at the Presidency, compared with more than 300 under the previous government, describing this as evidence of his commitment to efficient governance and reduced public spending.
A Continuing Political Debate
The disagreement reflects a broader political debate over what constitutes a “lean government.”
Supporters of the administration argue that the reduction in the number of ministries and ministerial appointments represents a genuine effort to cut costs and improve efficiency. Critics, however, maintain that all politically appointed officials should be included when assessing the true size and cost of government.
Final Thought
The debate over President Mahama’s lean government promise continues to generate discussion within Ghana’s political landscape. While government officials insist they have honoured their commitment to reducing the size of government, critics such as Samuel Abu Jinapor argue that the full picture can only be understood by considering every category of political appointment.
As both sides continue to defend their positions, the issue remains one of transparency, accountability, and how best to measure the true size of government.
