Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Spokesperson for President John Dramani Mahama and Minister-designate for Government Communications, has firmly rejected suggestions for the president to exceed his self-imposed limit of 60 ministerial appointments.

Appearing on The KeyPoints on TV3, monitored by The Independent Ghana on Saturday, Kwakye Ofosu reiterated that President Mahama remains resolute in his decision.

“As for the 60 [ministers], no earthly force can compel President John Mahama to go beyond it. I have heard the Minority Leader say that he should apologise and do more, which is a hark back to what President Kufuor did after he castigated President Rawlings. He only came to power and did more, but at least he had the grace to apologise. He wasn’t like Akufo-Addo, who sought to justify,” he remarked.

The comments were a direct response to the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who recently called on President Mahama to reconsider his pledge. Afenyo-Markin argued that the president’s decision, though rooted in good intentions to cut costs and enhance efficiency, might impair the government’s ability to tackle the complexities of governance.

President Mahama made the commitment to appoint no more than 60 ministers during his campaign, a promise aimed at demonstrating fiscal discipline and improving governance efficiency.

The Minority Leader, however, has suggested that the president apologise to Ghanaians and increase the number of appointees if necessary, referencing former President Kufuor, who adjusted his ministerial numbers after making a similar promise.

Currently, President Mahama has appointed fewer than 50 ministers, with the expectation that additional appointments will bring the total to the promised 60.