Dennis Miracles Aboagye, Director of Communications for the Bawumia Campaign, says the true size of the current government cannot be judged simply by counting how many ministers have been appointed.
He argues that under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, a significant number of presidential staffers at the Jubilee House are effectively performing the same roles as deputy ministers.
Although the government has named 56 ministers, Mr Aboagye insists that many individuals who would normally hold ministerial or deputy ministerial positions are instead working as presidential staffers, wielding similar levels of authority.
Drawing on his own time in government, he explained that the role of a presidential staffer often comes with responsibilities and influence comparable to that of a deputy minister.
“From my experience as a presidential staffer under former President Akufo-Addo, the position is essentially the same as that of a deputy minister,” he said.
For that reason, he maintains that any honest assessment of the size and cost of government should look beyond the official ministerial list and take into account the number and functions of political appointees operating within the Office of the President.