Bright Simmons, the Honorary Vice President of IMANI Africa, has analyzed President John Mahama’s decision to cut the number of ministries from 30 to 23, suggesting that it is more of a response to public sentiment than a real step toward improving government efficiency as reported by Myjoyonline on Sunday, January 12, 2025.
In his article The Stressful Difference between Cutting Ministries & Cutting Costs in Ghana, Simmons cautioned that this restructuring may not lead to actual cost savings.
Simmons noted that the public’s dissatisfaction with a large government is largely driven by its optics, not its actual cost.
He pointed out, “Cutting down the number of ministries and ministers is thus an exercise in ‘reading the sentiments’ of the public, and in being ‘responsive,’” rather than a genuine attempt to streamline the government.
The restructuring, according to Simmons, is a symbolic gesture aimed at showing a government that listens to the people, rather than addressing deeper inefficiencies in the public sector.
He also highlighted the inconsistency of past attempts at ministry restructuring, with decisions often being arbitrary and not based on any clear logic.
While smaller ministries may see cuts, Simmons emphasized that larger government agencies, such as the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Education Service, are the real drivers of government spending.
He suggested that substantial savings would come from reforming these sectors, rather than from reducing ministerial titles.
Simmons concluded by urging the government to look beyond cosmetic changes and focus on real reform to tackle inefficiencies and reduce government expenditure.