President Mahama commends Parliament for swift approval of ministerial nominees

President John Dramani Mahama has commended Parliament for its swift vetting and approval of his Ministerial nominees, describing the process as “unmatched in the history of the Fourth Republic.” 

Delivering his maiden State of the Nation Address (SONA) to Parliament, President Mahama expressed his gratitude for the efficiency of the approval process, which he said demonstrated the progress that could be made when there was a collective commitment to serve the nation.

“I wish to convey my heartfelt gratitude to Parliament for the prompt vetting and approval of my nominees for Ministerial positions,” President Mahama said.

“This efficiency is unmatched in the history of the Fourth Republic, demonstrating the strides we can make when we come together in our dedication to serve the people of our great country,” he stated.

“I believe that a similar dispatch will be applied to the approval processes for my Deputy Ministerial nominees.

This will enable them to promptly assume office and assist their Ministers in delivering on our noble vision of Resetting Ghana,” President Mahama said.

Reduction in ministers  

The President also said his intention to reduce the number of Ministers and Deputy Ministers to 60, including Regional Ministers, was in response to concerns about the size of previous administrations and associated cost implications.

This move, he said, was aimed at reducing government expenditure and promoting fiscal discipline.

“I considered the long-expressed sentiments of the Ghanaian people about the sheer size of previous administrations and the associated cost implications,” Mr Mahama explained.

“I trust that this significant reduction will set the stage for further reductions in the size of future governments,” he said.

Mr Mahama also revealed plans to significantly reduce the number of staff at the Presidency, compared to the previous administration, as part of efforts to cut government expenditures and reduce the budget deficit.

“With the inauguration of the Council of State, we can begin appointing staff for the Presidency.

I intend to significantly reduce the number of staff compared to what existed under the previous administration.

All this is aimed at leading by example in cutting down government expenditure and reducing the budget deficit,” Mr Mahama said.

Reforms

He also promised to reform existing anti-corruption agencies by increasing funding and improving transparency and accountability.

President Mahama's commitment to fighting corruption was a key campaign promise, and he reiterated his government's dedication to achieve a sustainable, zero-tolerance policy against corruption.

He also acknowledged the need to restore public trust in the judiciary, which he described as "alarmingly low," and pledged to work with the Judicial Council and services to depoliticise justice delivery and combat corruption effectively.

In addition, Mr Mahama announced plans to submit a bill to Parliament to regulate and restrict the sale and disposal of public lands and state assets.

This move aims to prevent the misuse of state resources and ensure that they are utilised for the benefit of all Ghanaians.

President Mahama said he recently inaugurated a Constitution Review Committee to undertake a comprehensive review of the country's fundamental law, the 1992 Constitution and ensure that it reflected the hopes and aspirations of the citizenry.

He said the committee that  composed of distinguished scholars, jurists, and professionals, would engage Ghanaians and consult with relevant stakeholders and experts over the next six months.

President Mahama emphasised that the findings would be presented to the public for approval in a referendum, followed by submission to Parliament for enactment into law.