The success of the country’s newly merged ministries will depend heavily on the establishment of effective structures, robust supervision, and strategic monitoring, governance expert Prof. Baffour Agyeman-Duah has said.
He noted that while the realignment under the Civil Service (Ministries) Instrument, 2025, is a bold step toward efficiency, its impact will ultimately hinge on how well the new ministries are managed.
Prof. Baffour emphasized that the merging of ministries, such as the Ministry of Communication with Digital Technology and Innovations, should not compromise their efficiency. Instead, he believes that with the right systems in place, the restructuring can actually enhance government operations.
“This should not affect efficiency at all. What the ministry needs to do is create units to handle each of the block areas effectively,” he explained to The High Street Journal.
He noted that within these merged ministries, specific units should be established to oversee core functions like digitalization, communication, and innovation. By assigning experts, whether politicians, civil servants, or technocrats, to lead these units, the ministries can ensure that each function is managed with precision.
“The minister’s job is not to handle everything personally but to supervise and monitor these units, holding them accountable for their performance,” he added.
Prof. Baffour pointed out that without proper oversight and accountability mechanisms, the merged ministries risk becoming inefficient.
He stressed the importance of creating clear structures to ensure that resources are used efficiently and that the responsibilities of each unit are well-defined.
“If supervision and monitoring are done effectively, the realignment could even result in greater efficiency than before. However, without these critical elements, the restructuring may not yield the expected benefits,” he cautioned.
The governance expert also noted that the success of the restructuring will require strong leadership at all levels within the ministries. Ministers must take an active role in overseeing their departments, ensuring that units are functioning optimally and that goals are being met.
This advice comes at a crucial time as the government implements its new ministerial structure, which aims to streamline governance and improve service delivery. The merging of ministries is part of broader efforts to cut costs and eliminate redundancies, but experts like Prof. Baffour warn that the potential gains will only be realized if the right strategies are employed.
