Good sign of governance re-set — Kofi Asare lauds Mahama for reducing number of ministries

Kofi Asare, Executive Director of Africa Education Watch, has lauded President John Dramani Mahama’s recent move to reduce the number of ministries from 30 to 23, calling it a “good early sign of governance re-set.”

In a social media post on Saturday, January 11, Asare emphasized that the reduction marks a shift towards more efficient governance after what he described as the “worst economy in decades” under former President Akufo-Addo’s administration.

“Number of Ministries reduced from 30 to 23. Good early signs of governance re-set after experiencing an Obolo Akufo-Addo government that delivered the worst economy in decades. There is still room for improvement,” he wrote.

The restructuring, formalized by an Executive Instrument (E.I. 1), took effect on January 9, 2025, under Mahama’s directive.

By this instrument, Mahama seeks to streamline government operations, enhancing efficiency and reducing the size of the executive to better serve the nation.

The list of newly established ministries under this reorganization includes:

• Ministry of Finance
• Ministry of Health
• Ministry of the Interior
• Ministry of Defence
• Ministry of Education
• Ministry of Energy and Green Transition
• Ministry of Roads and Highways
• Ministry of Transport
• Ministry of Sports and Recreation
• Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice

• Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources
• Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations

• Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology

• Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment

• Ministry of Works, Housing, and Water Resources

• Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection

• Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts

• Ministry of Labour, Jobs, and Employment
• Ministry of Food and Agriculture
• Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture
• Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry