No Set Formula for Appointing Ministers, Says Dr Osae-Kwapong

Dr. John Osae-Kwapong, a Fellow at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), has defended President John Mahama’s approach to appointing ministers, urging Ghanaians to exercise patience as the process unfolds.
Dr Osae-Kwapong’s remarks came after Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin criticised the President for what he perceived as a slow and fragmented method of appointing cabinet ministers. Afenyo-Markin, speaking on January 9, raised concerns about the piecemeal nature of the appointments, questioning why they had not been announced in one comprehensive list.
Responding to the criticism, Dr Osae-Kwapong explained that there is no established formula that a President must follow when selecting and unveiling appointees. He emphasised that it is entirely within the President’s discretion to announce his nominees in stages.
“There is no formula for how the President decides to roll out his appointees, so if he wants to release the names of the persons he is appointing to his government in batches of two, three, or four, I think it’s the prerogative of the President to do that,” Dr Osae-Kwapong stated.
Appearing on the AM Show on JoyNews, Dr Osae-Kwapong further expressed confidence in the President’s decision-making, stating that he believed the chosen appointees were well-suited to help realise the President’s objectives. He acknowledged that the President knows his team well, and his selections are based on an understanding of who is capable of contributing meaningfully to the government.
“For me, the President has made a very good choice,” he remarked, adding, “At the end of the day, he knows his people very well, and he knows those who can serve and serve his government well.”
Dr Osae-Kwapong’s comments highlight the inherent flexibility in the appointment process, suggesting that while some may prefer a quicker rollout, the gradual approach reflects the President’s careful consideration of each nominee’s role and suitability.
While the delay in announcing the full cabinet has sparked public debate, the focus now turns to the President’s ongoing selections and their potential impact on his administration. With Dr Osae-Kwapong’s endorsement, it remains to be seen how Ghanaians will respond to the eventual completion of the cabinet appointments.