The Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) has urged President John Dramani Mahama to consider abolishing the regional minister portfolio to enhance governance efficiency, foster growth, and strengthen decentralisation.
Mr. Francis Ameyibor, Executive Director of CDA Consult, explained that eliminating the regional minister role would redefine the responsibilities of regional coordinating directors, empowering them to oversee regional governance under the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.
This adjustment, he noted, aligns with President Mahama’s agenda of resetting the national governance framework.
Mr. Ameyibor highlighted that such realignment would streamline governance by placing regional coordinating directors in charge of managing metropolitan, municipal, and district coordinators.
This structure would reduce redundancies and strengthen collaboration among various levels of government.
Additionally, the move would free up 16 ministerial positions, enabling the president to fulfil his promise of a lean government with just 60 ministers.
Mr. Ameyibor emphasised that the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development would be critical in ensuring effective oversight and coordination under this new system.
The proposed changes aim to modernise regional leadership, enhance development efforts, and better integrate local governments into the national governance framework.
He further noted that Ghana’s decentralisation policy had stalled midway and called for its revival through strengthened local governance systems.
He argued that abolishing the regional minister portfolio would empower local governments to take charge of their development while reducing government expenditure on ministerial salaries and benefits.
The saved resources could then be directed toward addressing pressing development needs.
“This realignment is a progressive step toward streamlining government operations, promoting fiscal responsibility, and enhancing coordination across all levels of governance,” Mr. Ameyibor stated. He described the proposal as a bold move to promote good governance and ensure efficiency in Ghana’s administration.
The CDA Consult Executive Director concluded that the decision to scrap the Regional Minister portfolio would have far-reaching benefits for Ghana’s decentralisation policy, local government structures, and overall governance.