The Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) has called on President John Dramani Mahama to consider scrapping the Regional Minister portfolio, citing improved governance efficiency and strengthened decentralization as key benefits.Executive Director of CDA Consult, Mr.

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Francis Ameyibor, proposed the measure to redefine the responsibilities of regional coordinating directors, enabling them to manage the regions directly under the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s agenda to reset the country, Mr.

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Ameyibor emphasized that this restructuring would align with President Mahama’s broader vision for national reform.He explained that regional coordinating directors would assume oversight roles for metropolitan, municipal, and district coordinators, ensuring a more cohesive governance structure.

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This realignment, he added, would eliminate 16 ministerial positions, allowing President Mahama to meet his commitment of appointing only 60 ministers.“This realignment is expected to promote better coordination and cooperation among various levels of government,” Mr. Ameyibor noted, emphasizing the importance of streamlining governance.To ensure the effectiveness of the proposed system, Mr.

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Ameyibor recommended assigning the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development enhanced oversight responsibilities over the regional coordinators. This would ensure the coordinators work effectively with their metropolitan, municipal, and district counterparts.Mr. Ameyibor further explained that Ghana's decentralization policy had been halted midway and called for its continuation to strengthen local governance structures.

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He argued that eliminating the Regional Minister portfolio could be a significant step toward empowering local governments to drive their development agendas effectively.

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“This recommendation must be seen as a progressive step towards streamlining the government’s structure and improving efficiency,” he emphasized, adding that redefining the roles of regional coordinating directors would enhance regional development and coordination.Highlighting fiscal responsibility, Mr.

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Ameyibor noted that removing the Regional Minister portfolio could reduce government spending on salaries and benefits for 16 ministerial positions, freeing resources for other developmental needs.“This move is also seen as a positive step towards reducing the size of the government and promoting fiscal responsibility,” he stated.

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He concluded by stressing that the proposal, if adopted, would positively impact Ghana’s decentralization policy, strengthen local governance, and enhance the efficiency of public administration.

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