GENERAL NEWS

Mahama Reduces Ministries from 30 to 23 in Civil Service Restructuring – Check Here

January 11, 2025

President John Dramani Mahama has announced a significant reduction in the number of government ministries, cutting them from 30 to 23.

This move is part of an administrative restructuring initiative aimed at enhancing efficiency and streamlining government operations.

New Ministries Established

The reorganization was formalized through the Civil Service (Ministries) Instrument, 2025 (E.I. 1), signed by President Mahama on January 9, 2025.

The Executive Instrument outlines the newly established ministries and revokes the previous arrangement under the Civil Service (Ministries) Instrument, 2021 (E.I. 12).

Efficiency and Innovation at the Core

The restructuring aligns with the administration’s goal of optimizing government functions while addressing emerging priorities such as digital technology, green energy transition, and youth empowerment.

The consolidation of some ministries is expected to reduce bureaucratic overlaps and improve service delivery.

Key changes include the creation of the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, reflecting a growing focus on sustainable energy, and the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, which underscores Ghana’s commitment to leveraging technology for development.

Revocation of Previous Instrument

The new arrangement supersedes the Civil Service (Ministries) Instrument, 2021 (E.I. 12), marking a shift in the government’s approach to public administration.

The announcement has been met with varied reactions, with some applauding the move for its potential to enhance efficiency, while others await further clarity on its implications for service delivery.

The following are the ones that have been revoked

Information
National Security
Parliamentary Affairs
Railway Development
Sanitation and Water Resources
Public Enterprises
Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs [Has been added to Local Government]

60 Ministers Pledge

During the week, President Mahama reaffirmed his pledge to maintain a lean government with only 60 ministers, even as thousands of hopeful candidates have submitted their CVs for consideration.

Speaking at the Presidential Dinner in Accra on January 8, the President highlighted the challenges of assembling a capable and efficient team amid heightened expectations from Ghanaians.

“I have hit the ground running,” President Mahama stated. “Today, I had several meetings with all our key, multilateral and bilateral partners to try to see how we can kick-start things to make the lives of our people better, to look at issues to do with the economy and all that. And so I expect that all of us who would have a role to play would also be the same.”

He acknowledged the difficulty of selecting a small team of ministers from the overwhelming number of applicants while emphasizing the need for a lean and effective government.

“You wouldn’t want to be in my shoes when you’ve promised to appoint only 60 ministers, yet thousands of people are sending in their CVs. Then maybe some people will be disappointed,” he remarked.

Despite the challenges, President Mahama stressed that contributing to the success of his administration goes beyond holding ministerial positions.

“It’s not only by playing the role of a minister, it’s by taking to the senses the many things that we can all do,” he said.

“The success of this administration will guarantee us another term, maybe under some other leader. But we need to get this right, so that Ghanaians repose their confidence in us, and give us another opportunity to continue.”

President Mahama submitted his first set of ministerial nominations to Parliament on January 9, 2025, fulfilling a key constitutional requirement following his inauguration as President on January 7, 2025.