One minister, one car ...not 4 -Agbogbomefia

The Agbogbomefia of the Asogli Traditional Area, Togbe Afede Asor XIV, has urged the government to cut cost by reducing the number of Ministers and Deputy Ministers who run the affairs of the state.

He said the level of the country's poverty made it prudent to have lean government of about 50 Ministers and Deputy Ministers and a policy of one Minister, one saloon car, instead of the pool of four-wheel drive vehicles.

In a New Year's message to the nation, Togbe Afede also said it was high time the nation placed emphasis on demonstrated capabilities and honesty over the possession of academic qualifications in selecting people for appointment to public office, adding that it was time public officials were made accountable for their performance.

On corruption, Togbe Afede said transparency was an essential element in the fight against the canker and it must start with the declaration of assets by public office-holders and other custodians of public property, including chiefs.

On the economy, the Agbogbomefia said the nation needed to reconcile its desire for a per capital income of $1000 by 2012 with the kind of GDP growth targets (average five per cent) that it set itself.

On the country's diversity, he said there would not be peace unless there was respect for one another, calling on the”tribalists and their sponsors” to re-examine their objectives against “our shared national aspirations” and urged Ghanaians to put their Ghanaian identity above anything else and condemn the tribal hate mongers.