In a decisive move to streamline governance and reduce public expenditure, Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has slashed the number of government ministries from 30 to 23.
The decision formalized through an executive order just two days after his return to power, signals a shift toward fiscal prudence as Ghana grapples with economic challenges.
The reorganization marks the elimination of seven ministries that existed under former President Nana Akufo-Addo, including the ministries of information, sanitation and water resources, national security, railway development, parliamentary affairs, public enterprises, and chieftaincy and religious affairs.
These ministries were consolidated or repurposed under a leaner structure that emphasizes efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
The move has been lauded by many Ghanaians as a pragmatic approach to addressing the country’s financial constraints. It also stands in stark contrast to the policies of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, whose administration has expanded ministries in a move widely criticized as unsustainable.
Mahama’s decision to trim ministries comes on the heels of his decisive electoral victory over former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia. The former president, who previously led Ghana from 2012 to 2017, returned to the Jubilee House after securing 56.55% of the vote in the presidential election.
Ghana faces significant fiscal challenges, and Mahama’s swift action to reduce government spending demonstrates his commitment to stabilizing the economy. His administration aims to create a sustainable development path for the country by prioritizing strategic sectors such as health, education, green transition, and youth empowerment.
Tinubu’s Contrasting Approach
While Mahama has taken steps to cut costs and streamline governance, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has charted a very different course. In early 2024, Tinubu ordered the full implementation of the long-awaited Oronsaye Report, a comprehensive blueprint for restructuring and rationalizing Nigeria’s bloated public service.
The Oronsaye Report, submitted in 2012 under President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, was the result of a presidential committee led by former Head of Service Stephen Oronsaye. It recommended the consolidation of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to improve efficiency and reduce waste. The report identified over 500 MDAs, many of which had overlapping functions, and proposed their merger, abolition, or streamlining.
For over a decade, successive administrations failed to implement the report fully. However, Tinubu’s directive in early 2024 revived hopes that Nigeria would finally address its bureaucratic inefficiencies and reduce public spending.
Despite this initial commitment, Tinubu’s administration has since proceeded to expand the number of ministries, increasing them from 44 under former President Muhammadu Buhari to a record 48. This move has drawn sharp criticism, particularly given Nigeria’s worsening cost-of-living crisis, soaring inflation, and mounting public debt. Analysts have noted that the creation of new ministries undermines the very objectives of the Oronsaye Report, which sought to streamline governance and cut costs.
Since the directive in early 2024, there has been no fresh move by the Tinubu administration to implement the Oronsaye Report. Instead, the government’s actions appear to contradict its initial commitment to reform. The expanded cabinet, which has increased administrative costs, has led many to question the government’s resolve to tackle Nigeria’s fiscal challenges.
This approach stands in stark contrast to Mahama’s in Ghana, where the reduction in ministries has been quick, decisive, and welcomed as a step toward fiscal discipline. The Ghanaian president’s decision reflects a clear acknowledgment of the need to prioritize spending in critical sectors while minimizing waste.
While Ghana moves toward austerity and streamlined administration, Nigeria appears to be doubling down on an expansive government structure, despite the country’s financial difficulties. The country’s cost of governance is considered among the most expensive in the world, with good governance advocates calling for cost-cutting measures.
Unfortunately, the Nigerian government has over the years, shown no commitment to reduce the cost of governance. Thus, Tinubu’s reluctance to fully implement the Oronsaye Report and his expansion of ministries have fueled concerns about the country’s ability to navigate its economic challenges.