National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer John Dramani Mahama has revealed that cabinet ministers and other government appointees would not be entitled to any form of ex-gratio if he wins the 2024 elections.
In his acceptance speech after being elected as the NDC’s flag bearer, the former president said he would not repeat what he described as the mistakes of the current NPP government.
Speaking at the University of Development Studies in Tamale, Mahama also stated that he would appoint fewer than 60 ministers to protect the finance ministry in the next administration.
According to Mahama, he has no intention of increasing the size of the government.
“I am committed to operating an effective government with not more than sixty (60) ministers. These Ministers together with other appointees of the government will not be entitled to ex-gratia payments after their tenure, as they will commit to that undertaking even before the necessary constitutional amendments, including a review of the controversial Article 71.”
Dr. Mahama went on to bemoan the current economic condition of the nation as he described the current government as ‘inefficient ‘ and ‘wasteful’.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, our nation is still at the crossroads with crippling debt, and an inefficient and wasteful government. We cannot continue this pathway. It is a betrayal of the people, as a leader, to keep doing things the same way when the results leave them poorer.”
Earlier in March, 2023, during a campaign speech at the Cedi Auditorium of the United University of Health Sciences (UHAS) in the Volta region Ho, Mahama had also stated that he would cut down the size of the government.
He stated that he would not appoint more than sixty ministers if he wins the 2024 presidential elections.
