President John Dramani Mahama has announced a significant reduction in the number of government ministries, cutting the current number of 30 to 23.
This decision, made through an Executive Instrument issued on January 9, 2025, is part of a broader strategy to streamline government operations, improve public service delivery, and reduce the costs associated with running the government.
The move aligns with one of the key promises Mahama made during his election campaign, where he committed to reducing the number of ministries and ensuring a more focused, results-oriented administration.
He had previously pledged to limit the government to just 60 ministries as a means of enhancing accountability, cost-efficiency, and decision-making processes.
This restructuring is also part of a broader effort to reconfigure the country’s governance structures and improve the effectiveness of public sector operations.
By merging some ministries and re-aligning responsibilities, the Mahama administration aims to foster greater efficiency within the civil service.
The Executive Instrument, dated January 9, 2025, empowers the President under section 11(3) of the Civil Service Act, 1993 (P.N.D.C.L. 327), which allows the President to adjust the structure of government ministries and agencies to improve efficiency and public sector performance.
In comparison, President Akufo-Addo’s administration initially governed with 36 ministries, a significant expansion from previous administrations.
This number was reduced to 30 after a restructuring in 2020, with a focus on specialized ministries for various sectors.
The 30 ministries under Akufo-Addo’s government included key ministries like Finance, Defence, Education, Health, and Trade and Industry.
This restructuring was part of Akufo-Addo’s efforts to manage the country’s growing challenges, including the global economic downturn, the COVID-19 pandemic, and internal developmental goals.
The shift to 30 ministries marked a departure from the more extensive structure in place during earlier administrations, particularly after John Mahama’s term, where the number of ministries peaked at 30.
The reduction was seen as an attempt to focus governance efforts more sharply and ensure a streamlined, more manageable government structure.
