Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin South, John Ntim Fordjour, has taken a swipe at social media influencer and National Democratic Congress (NDC) sympathizer, Kaly Jay for fruitlessly defending the government spending a whooping ghc2.7billion on government machinery.
In an initial post on his X page, Ntim Fordjour wrote, “NPP ‘large’ government spends Ghc327 million on office of government machinery and yet it was deemed as ‘wasteful’ so yaanom decided to try a ‘lean’ government. Meanwhile, NDC’s so-called lean government of 60 ministers and ‘lean’ presidential staffers decide to spend Ghc2.7 billion on office of government machinery. May they be reminded that what matters to Ghanaians is not the rhetorics and optics but the numbers – the actual burden on the public purse. We wish them well as they create loot and CHOP the Ghc2.7 billion. Let’s not forget the roads, hospitals and schools that the EXCESS of GHC2.4 BILLION they’re going to CHOP, could have built for mother Ghana.”
Reacting to the post, Kaly Jay posted a video of Minister of State in Charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu explaining the Ghc2.7billion government machinery spend.
He quoted the above post made by John Ntim Fordjour and added, “Senior Pastor nie” before posting Kwakye Ofosu’s explanation.
Clapping back at Kaly Jay, Ntim Fordjour indicated that the social media influencer will definitely struggle to defend such a huge government spend.
He further insinuated that Kaly Jay has been enjoying a chunk of the money, hence his decision to defend the government at every turn.
“Kalyjay, You go explain taya! Why won’t you sweat to defend the whooping Ghc2.7 Billion create loot and chop? Social media influencers allocation alone must have been very FAT. So the Ghc70 million allocation for capex under government communications, which super gadgets are you to purchase? Obiaa boa, interest nkoaa…stomach defense!” John Ntim Fordjour wrote in response.
Government spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has denied claims being made about the Mahama administration spending GHS 2.7 billion to fund an excessive number of presidential staffers.
He explained that the allocation covers the salaries and operational costs of multiple government agencies under the Office of Government Machinery, not new appointments.
He described recent statements by opposition figures, including Abu Jinapor, Dr. Gideon Boako and Kojo Oppong Nkrumah as deliberate misinformation meant to mislead the public and undermine President Mahama’s commitment to running an efficient government.
He clarified that the Office of the President is made up of several units, including the General Administration, Office of the Chief of Staff, Vice President’s Secretariat, Cabinet Secretariat, Press Secretariat, and the Policy Coordination and Delivery Unit.
Additionally, he noted that various government agencies that previously operated under now-collapsed ministries have been moved under the Office of Government Machinery for budgetary purposes.
According to him, the reduction in the number of ministries from 30 to 23 necessitated the reassignment of agencies, leading to their inclusion under the Office of the President.
Mr. Kwakye Ofosu explained that the budget allocation for the Office of the President, including the widely debated GHS 2.7 billion, caters to salaries and operational costs of multiple agencies, not just presidential staffers. These agencies include the Ghana Publishing Corporation, National Security Council, Research Department, and National Intelligence Bureau (formerly BNI), among others.
NPP ‘large’ government spends Ghc327 million on office of government machinery and yet it was deemed as ‘wasteful’ so yaanom decided to try a ‘lean’ government. Meanwhile, NDC’s so-called lean government of 60 ministers and ‘lean’ presidential staffers decide to spend Ghc2.7… pic.twitter.com/ylBeagClFM
— John Ntim Fordjour MP (@NtimFordjour) March 13, 2025
Senior Pastor nie pic.twitter.com/xh6jZpEuWa https://t.co/8UgOeGeUrk
— KALYJAY (@gyaigyimii) March 13, 2025
