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Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa is bemused with the fact that Ghana is on a begging spree but has refused to live within its means.

According to the North Tongu Member of Parliament, the extravagance lifestyle President Akufo-Addo is living amid the obese government he has refused to downsize should be a cause of worry to every Ghanaian.

The lawmaker.has berated the government for the self-inflicted difficulties the government has plunged the nation into, subjecting the citizenry into excruciating hardship.

Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa was speaking on the additional hands the government has employed at the Office of the President making the total number rise from 998 to 1048 with Alfred Ocansey on Ghana Tonight Thursday, March 30, 2023.

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“So you wonder if really, this is the country going through the most excruciating economic meltdown in living memory.

“A country that’s telling everybody that this economy has been destroyed, self-inflicted, with over-borrowed debt to GDP, with excess over 100% so we cannot meet our obligations to you. You cannot get your coupons, you can’t get back your life investment, Finance minister has just returned from China on a begging mission. When Vice President Kamala Harris came here few days ago, you heard President Akufo-Addo begging her to talk to the Paris Club on our behalf. So you’re begging everybody and yet look at your conduct. You cannot lead by example,” he indicated.

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He was surprised that the “2021 list was so high with dubious positions and we expected him to downsize by being considerate and respectful and give some dignity to us his employers” but the President chose to increase the numbers.

Below is the full text detailing the Annual report on the office of the President staffing:

Full text: Annual report on Office of the President staffing

Accra, 30th March, 2023 – Pursuant to section 11 of the Presidential Office Act, 1993 (Act 463), the President of the Republic has submitted to Parliament the Annual Report on the staffing position of the Office of the President for the period 1 st January to 31st December, 2022.

The report covers three key areas, namely the number of Presidential Staff employed at the Office of the President during the period, the ranks and grades of these staff, and employees of other Public Services assigned to the Office of the President.

During the reporting period, there were two (2) Ministers of State and forty-four (44) Senior Presidential Staffers at post. The other Political Appointees at the Office of the President numbered three hundred and fifteen (315). This brings the number of political appointees to three hundred and sixty-one (361).

It is important to note that out of the 361 persons who are political appointees at the Office of the President, only 163 work physically at the Jubilee House. The others work in the offices to which they have been assigned.

It is also instructive to note that, in keeping with the established practice of previous governments of the 4th Republic, the 315 other political appointees include Special Assistants, Executive Assistants, Personal Assistants to Ministers of State and Regional Ministers, employees in the Office of the Vice President, Aides and Assistants assigned to the First Lady and Second Lady, as well as employees assigned to Government agencies under the Office of the President, such as NEIP, Free SHS Secretariat, MASLOC, Special Development Initiatives Secretariat, Monitoring and Evaluation Secretariat, Zongo and Inner Cities Development Secretariat, amongst others.

Moreover, in addition to the political appointees at the Office of the President, employees of Public Sector Organizations assigned to the Office were also included. These categories of staff were from different classes, including Administrative, Executive/Clerical, Records, Secretarial, Budget, Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Presidential Household, and staff from the Department of Parks and Gardens, Ghana Health Service, Controller and Accountant General’s Department, Ghana Audit Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Public Works Department (Prestige), and Ghana Postal Company. The total number of these categories of staff was six hundred and eighty-seven (687). These categories of staff were appointed by their respective public institutions, and the Civil Service and have always been assigned to the Office of the President during previous governments.

The submission of this report is a clear indication of the President’s commitment to transparency and accountability. It provides a comprehensive overview of the staffing position of the Office of the President, and it is expected to inform decision making processes.

By Felix Anim-Appau|Onuaonline.com