Former President John Mahama has expressed his disappointment with members of the minority caucus in parliament who broke ranks with the position and leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and went ahead to vote for President Nana Akufo-Addo’s six ministerial nominees. 

In a post on Facebook, Mr Mahama, who is seeking a comeback on the ticket of the NDC, said: “A couple of weeks ago, our NDC group in parliament announced a principled position not to approve any new ministers until the president has taken steps to significantly reduce the size of his government”. 

“This position was supported by a broad section of Ghanaians and public advocacy groups”, he said, adding: “Unfortunately, Ghanaians were sorely disappointed yesterday when several members of the minority, for some parochial and personal interest, voted against the principled position adopted by the party”. 

“I am also disappointed”, Mr Mahama said. 

He said: “Those responsible for this betrayal must do some serious soul-searching and learn to place national interest over personal interest”. 

Mr Mahama also said: “Equally disappointing is the president's refusal to seize the opportunity to realign and downsize his bloated government when the NPP flag bearer hopefuls and the chieftaincy minister resigned”. 

“Clearly”, he noted, “in this time of crisis and excruciating hardships, President Akufo-Addo, his NPP administration and some of our MPs are out of tune with the mood of the Ghanaian people”. 

Mr Mahama insisted half of President Akufo-Addo’s more than 120 ministers can do the job. 

“I still believe, as I said in Ho recently, that in this time of crisis, the government can still run efficiently with not more than 60 ministers”. 

He said: “For our grassroots members and all Ghanaians who are disappointed by this insensitivity, I urge you not to despair”. 

“2024 offers us an opportunity to work hard to defeat this reckless government that seeks to destroy our democracy and the very livelihoods of Ghanaians – an opportunity for us to work and build the Ghana we all want from January 07, 2025”.

At least, some 20 minority caucus MPs, on Friday, 24 March 2023, voted in favour of the nominees despite earlier threats by the caucus' leadership to force a stalemate in the hung parliament so as to stop the ministerial approvals.

Despite the 137: 137-split legislature, all the six nominees obtained more votes to offset the anticipated stalemate, thus, leading to their approval by parliament.

As a result, once sworn in by the president, Adansi Asokwa lawmaker K.T. Hammond becomes the Minister of Trade and Industry.

He is billed to replace Mr Alan Kyerematen, who resigned some weeks ago to focus on his presidential bid.

Nhyiaeso MP Stephen Amoah will deputise him.

Also, Abetifi MP Bryan Acheampong will replace resigned minister Owusu Afryie Akoto, who is vying for the flagbearer slot of the governing New Patriotic Party.

Former Information Minister Stephen Asamoah Boateng returns as the Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs while Mr Osei Bonsu Amoah, MP for Akuapem South, become a Minister of State at the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development where he has, until his recent elevation, been serving as a deputy.

Furthermore, Karaga MP Mohammed Amin Adam, now becomes the Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance.

He replaces Mr Charles Adu Boahen who was sacked by President Nana Akufo-Addo following a corruption exposè by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas.