A governance expert has called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to consider cutting down drastically the size of his government.
The expert, Professor Albert Puni, says he is of the view that the new President can attain his goal of protecting the public purse if he is able to form a lean government.
Making the call on Onua Fm’s morning show, he stated, “The President should endeavour to avoid things that transported the NDC administration to opposition.”
He explained that one of the reasons for his opinion was to ensure value for money for Ghanaians to have faith in the President’s administration.
In his inaugural address last Saturday, President Akufo-Addo vowed to protect Ghana’s public purse during his administration. According to him, public service was not an avenue for politicians to milk the state, adding that he would ensure value for money.
However, Prof. Puni said the President’s focus should be on vital sectors of the economy and placing emphasis on employing technology to reduce profligacy during his regime. “Vital sectors such as agriculture, transport and trade and industry are some of the sectors that he should concentrate on and the rest streamlined in order to have a lean government.”
The governance expert also noted that protecting the national purse should not just be a refrain but must be pursued vigorously, adding that the President should lead by example, making sure that his appointments of back room staff were reflective of his commitment to protecting the public purse. “He should constantly put his appointees in check and that will send good signals to the citizenry.”
Expectations
Prof. Puni, while commenting on promises made by the President before taking office, described those promises as challenging, but was quick to add, “I hope the President has set an attainable goal and has the right people to execute his visions.”
“We are looking at the team that the President will put together, as the party always say they have the men; but what is important is placing importance on placing the right people at the right place,’’ he concluded.
Source: Daily Graphic
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IF YOU EMPLOY 100 MINISTERS AND BUY FOR THEM NISSAN HARDBODY PICKUPS AS THEIR OFFICIAL VEHICLES YOU DONT HAVE A PROBLEM BUT IF YOU EMPLOY 50 MINISTERS AND BUY FOR EACH MINISTER A LAND CRUISER AND FILL THEIR FRIDGES EVERY MORNING AND GIVE THEM UNLIMITED FUEL AND UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THAT MINISTRY`S CASH AND ALL THE UNTHINKABLE THINGS THEY GIVE TO MINISTERS MASSA, WE WILL ALWAYS BE POOR. ITS NOT ABOUT THE NUMBERS ITS ABOUT HOW MUCH WE WASTE ON THEM. WE TREAT MINISTERS LIKE THEY`RE MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVERY BODY WHEN INFACT THEY SHOULD BE WORKING FOR US. THAT JOB SHOULD BE DONE BY SELFLESS PEOPLE AND NOT GRREEEDY ARRROGANT AND SELF CENTED PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO IDEA THE MEANING OF PUBLIC SERVICE. MINISTERS ARE THERE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE AND NOT THE OTHER WAY ROUND
Why didn't you tell the ndc bogus government this non***barred word***. You talk about cost. What about ndc and their bib big cars and numerous tours?
What cost is this "expert" talking about? Big govt can also curb corruption and save leakage of money from the purse therefore a win in the end.
Lean government size is not synonymous with efficiency. Effective supervision is what is required.