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Franklin Cudjoe, president of IMANI Africa has questioned the rationale behind the appointment of three deputy ministers for some ministries by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. The ministries of Energy, Trade and Industries and Local Government will have three deputy ministers, according to the list released on Wednesday by the Office of the President. 

The list of 39 deputy ministers-designate and one Minister of State-designate has been submitted to the Speaker, Alban Bagbin, for vetting and approval.

Speaking on Asaase FM Thursday, Cudjoe said: “Here we are with 39 deputy ministers but the element of surprise for me is the number of deputy ministers for some of the various ministries like local government for instance, Trade and Energy, three deputies in all of these ministries.”

“I am just wondering why those numbers, but of course the president will be the best person to know, but I will respect that… It was just an element of surprise. Other ministries have one, I don’t see why some ministries should have three. I can understand that of finance, I can understand two deputies for Attorney General’s Department because obviously there is lack of proper personnel.”

Pleasant surprise
He cited the appointment of former CEO of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), John Kumah, as deputy finance minister as “very surprising”.

“If there is any surprise, that will be John Kumah who himself said he was pleasantly surprised about the appointment himself and said he didn’t merit the position, but I am sure he was being humble. That was a pleasant surprise.”

The president of IMANI Africa was, however, unhappy Dr Bernard Okoe Boye, former deputy health minister, was never considered despite the significant role he played during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.