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Mahama's piecemeal appointments show lack of seriousness in his gov’t — Kwamena Duncan

Politics Former Central Regional Minister Kwamena Duncan
THU, 16 JAN 2025 3
Former Central Regional Minister Kwamena Duncan

Former Central Regional Minister Kwamena Duncan has criticized President John Dramani Mahama’s approach to appointing key government officials, describing it as indicative of a lack of seriousness.

Speaking on Peace FM's Kokrokoo morning show on January 15, 2025, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) stalwart expressed dissatisfaction with Mahama's decision to release appointments in small batches rather than announcing a full cabinet promptly.

“A certain indicator of seriousness is missing. I don’t see any seriousness in these types of appointments where they release appointments in smaller bits,” Duncan stated.

Drawing comparisons to former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration, Duncan highlighted that Akufo-Addo made most of his ministerial appointments within a few months of his inauguration.

This allowed appointees to assume their roles quickly and start executing their duties.

“The president [Akufo-Addo] wanted us to be approved quickly so we could take charge and ensure things began moving accordingly,” Duncan remarked.

He further noted that under Akufo-Addo, regional ministerial appointments were finalized only after cabinet ministers were in place, emphasizing the strategic sequencing of such decisions.

"My appointment was done in February (2017) and at the time, Accra ministerial (appointments) had been dealt with, virtually done before our appointments as the regional ministers came,” he recounted.

While acknowledging Mahama’s efforts to nominate regional ministers even before completing his cabinet appointments, Duncan criticized the “piecemeal” approach. He argued that this method creates unnecessary delays, especially given the limited four-year term of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.

“It is good he has gone to the regions, but even that one he is doing is a ‘tot-tot’ appointment,” Duncan said, urging Mahama to expedite the process.

Duncan further warned that Mahama’s administration does not have the luxury of time to implement its policies effectively if appointments continue to trickle in slowly.

“Even if he had been an 8-year-bound president, we would have recommended he go faster than this, let alone 4 years,” he added.

His remarks follow Mahama’s recent release of regional ministerial nominees for 10 out of the country’s 16 regions.

Gideon Afful Amoako
Gideon Afful Amoako

A journalist passionate about social issues, politics and current affairs.Page: gideon-afful-amoako

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Comments

Joel Savage | 1/16/2025 7:55:09 PM

What was the outcome of the "seriousness" of Akufo Addo-Bawumia's government?

Should the Free SHS policy be reviewed?

Started: 10-01-2025 | Ends: 31-03-2025

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