body-container-line-1

Square Pegs In Round Holes In the Context of The NPP Government

Feature Article Square Pegs In Round Holes In the Context of The NPP Government
JUN 13, 2020 LISTEN

After the 2016 elections which the New Patriotic Party won, Ghanaians anticipated a better steering of affairs than the previous government which soiled themselves with a number of scandals. The juicy campaign promises of Akuffo Addo coupled with how articulate his running mate Dr. Bawumia was in debating matters relating to economics managed to convince a whooping 53.7% Ghanaians to cast their vote them. Ghanaians were hopeful of a new beginning but to our surprise His Excellency Akuffo Addo appointed an elephant size government.

The argument was on, the National Democratic Congress accused the government of breaking their own promise of saving the public purse. Notwithstanding a section of Ghanaians contended that , the size of the government doesn't matter. Now the goal post was shifted to how are they going to perform. Nominations and vetting went on as one of the rites of transition to a new government.

This government has been hit by a lot of scandals just like the previous government. Some of the sectors have been underperforming. As a citizen and not a spectator as quoted by our president during is inaugural speech, I took the pain to do some background checks on some of the current ministers to find the relationship between their career before entering politics and how it relates to their ministerial portfolio.

It is quite revealing that a number of them are out of place, they are square pegs in round holes and it has been evident in their performance as ministers. Although some might have adapted to their new roles but should that always be the way to go?

I managed to come out with these ministers as square pegs in round holes , the list is not exhaustive .it is basically based on those a randomly decided to write about them.

Mathew Opoku Prempeh

613202074333-y3td5gar4l-n6iulkn8w331mgmhp4b

The Minister of Education and the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South is one of the ministers a lot of Ghanaians especially the educationist has tagged not fit for his ministerial portfolio. His utterances and how he addressed teachers in the past puts his credibility to question. I must admit that he has performed very well in managing the Free Senior High School policy just as his government wanted it to be. The lapses of that policy has been reserved for another day. Looking through his educational background, all about him is health related. Taking into consideration his vociferous nature , He will fit for a Health Minister, but that's my opinion .

613202074334-pyktgw5id1-rvmypkncb553mgplt51

Boakye Agyarko

613202074334-vfqamdwo3i-0eu2xknkjwwrmg8t0xn

His ministerial appointment was surrounded by a lot of controversies. I hope you haven't forgotten the bribery allegations Hon. Mahama Ayariga levelled against him, he managed to pull through though .He is the minister designated for Energy. He is an economists by profession. Fortunately for this government , the country has not been hit by any energy crisis but almost everything done in the last decade concerning our energy sector was done by the previous government. They took the blame for the mismanagement of "dumsor" just as this government is taking for their failure to manage the COVID19 pandemic. But all that i am trying to put across is that he is has not performed convincingly well to me hence I think an energy expert will better fit his position.

613202074334-2q04x5i0ut-otkvnkn0y442mgnjq41

Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng.

613202074335-4v2rdu5gb0-l5hskkn8v331mgkgo3a

This man has great strides in the health sector. He is a cardiothoracic surgeon by profession. He established the first cardiothoracic centre in Ghana at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. He is the current minister designated for Environment, Science and Technology. Looking at his background and track records , he may deliver better on health related issues. It has been evident in his fight against galamsey, his ministry has been hit with a lot of scandals. Are we winning the battle against illegal mining? it is obviously a big "NO". Can we attribute it to the fact that he is out of expertise?

613202074335-vfqamdwp3j-wcsevknihutpmg7r8v3

These are some of the ministers I managed to research on . It is quite appalling that every government keeps on repeating this mistake of just giving appointments without considering their appointees credentials.

This is an opinionated article, you can share your views with me in the comment section.

body-container-line