Sankofaonline News Desk : November 15, 2025
A stunning analysis reveals the colossal financial impact of ministerial appointments, with the 65 extra ministers under the Nana Akufo-Addo administration costing the nation over ₵1.6 billion in four years, funds that could have transformed key sectors.
Accra overview and context
ACCRA—The size of Ghana’s government has long been a flashpoint for public debate, but a detailed breakdown of costs associated with ministerial appointments under the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration reveals a staggering financial burden compared to the current John Dramani Mahama government.
While President Akufo-Addo appointed a record 125 ministers and deputy ministers, current , President Mahama , maintained a cabinet of 60. This difference of 65 extra ministerial positions under Nana Addo’s tenure resulted in a projected expenditure of approximately ₵1.6 billion over a four-year period, according to a recent analysis of public finance data.
The eye-watering sum, equivalent to hundreds of millions of US dollars (based on a current approximate exchange rate of ₵10.95 to $1), highlights a profound difference in governing philosophy and offers a compelling argument for fiscal prudence in government structure.
The ₵1.6 billion breakdown
The costs associated with these 65 additional high-level appointees are multifaceted, extending far beyond simple salaries. The analysis identifies six major cost centers contributing to the massive expenditure:
Ex-gratia and hidden costs
The single largest component of the identified cost is Ex-Gratia payments, totaling a massive ₵411 million. This lump sum, paid at the end of a term of office, represents a significant hidden cost that escalates dramatically with the number of appointees.
“The Ex-Gratia payment component alone is a national conversation starter. It demonstrates that the short-term benefit of political accommodation comes with a colossal, long-term financial liability for the taxpayer,” stated Dr. Kwasi Adu, an independent political economist.
In addition to the terminal benefits, the ongoing operational costs, including ₵97.5 million for official vehicles and ₵59 million in salaries, underscore the difference in recurrent expenditure between the two cabinets. The necessity of providing housing, utilities, and security for the extra 65 ministers further added ₵21 million to the national bill.
The political mandate versus fiscal discipline
Proponents of the Akufo-Addo government’s large size often argued that the appointments were necessary to bring all hands on deck to tackle Ghana’s development challenges, create a bureaucracy capable of implementing ambitious programs, and ensure broad political representation.
However, critics, citing the financial analysis, maintain that the sheer number of portfolios led to duplication, inefficiency, and an unnecessary strain on the national budget. The Mahama administration, with its smaller team, is now being lauded in this analysis for a structure that prioritized fiscal discipline and potentially freed up over a billion cedis for other critical national investments.
This ₵1.6 billion could have funded critical infrastructure projects, significantly boosted the education budget, or provided relief in essential social services.
Looking ahead with a call for cabinet cap
As the nation looks towards future elections, this financial revelation is set to heavily influence the political narrative. President Mahama’s approach to cabinet size now serves as a powerful symbol of potential savings and commitment to public purse protection.
The compelling data begs a critical question for all future leaders: At what point does the perceived benefit of a large government outweigh the quantifiable cost to the Ghanaian taxpayer? The ₵1.6 billion saved by having 65 fewer ministers under the Mahama model presents a powerful, unassailable case for a legislated cap on the size of government, a fiscal reform the nation may no longer be able to afford to ignore.
