Historically, ill-prepared ministers are MPs — Ras Mubarak pushes constitutional amendment

A former Member of Parliament for Kumbungu, Ras Mubarak, has called for constitutional reforms to change how ministers are appointed in Ghana.

Currently, Article 78(1) of the 1992 Constitution requires the President to appoint the majority of ministers from among Members of Parliament.

According to Mr Mubarak, the constitutional provision limits the President’s ability to appoint competent individuals outside Parliament and has contributed to the appointment of ill-prepared ministers.

In a social media post on Thursday, May 7, the former lawmaker argued that many ministers who have struggled in office were sitting MPs before their appointments.

“Historically, Ghanaian ministers who have appeared visibly ill-prepared for their roles have almost always been sitting Members of Parliament,” he stated.

Mr Mubarak said the constitutional arrangement leaves little room for Presidents to select the most capable individuals for ministerial positions.

“The root of the problem lies in Article 78(1) of the 1992 Constitution. This provision severely limits the President’s choices by requiring that the majority of ministers be appointed from among MPs,” he added.

He further argued that political parties often push inexperienced individuals into Parliament, some of whom later become ministers despite lacking the required competence.

According to him, the situation has led to avoidable public controversies and embarrassing mistakes that affect the image of governments.

Mr Mubarak proposed a two-pronged solution, including amending the Constitution to grant the President more flexibility in ministerial appointments and improving the quality of parliamentary candidates presented by political parties.

“The way forward is two-fold… amend the Constitution to give the President greater flexibility to appoint the brightest, most competent, and politically savvy minds, whether from Parliament or outside it,” he said.

His comments come amid recent backlash against the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, over remarks suggesting that public officials who approve unauthorised developments could be transferred to northern Ghana as punishment.

The Minister’s comments have sparked criticism from political figures, civil society groups, and sections of the public, who described the remarks as insensitive and divisive.

Meanwhile, the minister has apologised.