The newly nominated ministers for finance and energy have been admonished to have a big heart that can accommodate divergent and alternative views if they want to turn around the fortunes of the country in their respective sectors. Ministerial nominations are crucial in these challenging times.
Financial Analyst and Banking Consultant Dr. Richmond Atuahene says the challenge ahead of them is very crucial and hence requires them to embrace criticisms in good faith before they can make headway.
This advice comes on the heels of the first ministerial nominations made by President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday. A communique from the Presidency announced that Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, John Abdulai Jinapor, and Dr. Dominic Akurintinga Ayine have been nominated for ministries of Finance, Energy, and Attorney General & Minister for Justice, respectively.
Reacting to these nominations in an interview with The High Street Journal, Dr. Atuahene noted that these nominees must learn to eschew all forms of arrogance and pride that caused the downfall of the previous administration. The new ministerial nominations must avoid repeating these mistakes.
He added that they must understand their offices are purposely for the service of Ghanaians and not to lord over people calling on them to be “obedient servants.”
“They are coming to serve, not to lord over people. And I hope the President will tell them they must come and serve. They must be obedient servants. People who will listen to Ghanaians no matter where the thing is coming from, must be prepared to listen. Because the experience has shown and proved to us that we have had people who were very arrogant, too proud, and not prepared to listen to any alternative views,” he remarked.
In Dr. Atuahene’s view, Ghana’s current economic situation is dire and very novel and they cannot do it all alone without the input of others. Diverse opinions are needed and hence these incoming ministers must be able to accommodate all suggestions without malice. He stressed the importance of humility in the face of the ministerial nominations.
“The situation we are in has never happened in any African country. I can conveniently tell you that. It has happened in three countries in the world. Argentina, Greece, and now Ghana in Africa. If you are going to solve that problem, a country with a debt of about $66 billion, and you have only limited resources of no more than $6 billion a year, you need diverse opinions, people who can come tell you in your face that we could possibly try this area, let us do it this way,” he added.
He continued, “if these people humble themselves, and show complete obedience, and show respect to people who would even possibly criticize them, and get them around the table, and let them explain why they are criticizing them, the problem is not insurmountable. The problem could definitely be resolved.”
This first set of nominees will meet the Appointments Committee of Parliament for vetting and approval before they can fully and officially become ministers of state. The ministerial nominations are just the first step in this process.
Meanwhile, President Mahama has already committed to work with not more than 60 ministers in his government. This commitment, he says, is to cut costs and ensure efficiency in his administration.
As appointments have begun, many Ghanaians are keenly watching to see if the President will stick to his promise of cutting down the size of the government. The ministerial nominations will undoubtedly play a major role in determining this.
