Kwaku Nti’s Library: EVALUATING Dr Akoto Osei as MONITORING Minister

President Akufo-Addo has created some new ministries and that have been a subject of various commentaries on social media and mainstream media.

I seek to analyse the new ministries according to my understanding of them.

Below is my analysis of one of the Ministry for MONITORING AND EVALUATION

This will be the ministry that would be in charge of supervising and ensuring that all government projects are well executed. Every Ministry seeking to undertake projects must notify them before going ahead especially ones that were listed in the Manifesto of the ruling government like the ONE VILLAGE, ONE DAM, ONE DISTRICT, ONE FACTORY, One million dollar per constituency etc. They have to see to it that they are well executed. In effect, whipping the ministries into line to ensure the achievement of the vision of the President.

Remember, one of the main campaign messages of the NPP during the 2016 elections was lack of VALUE FOR MONEY for various infrastructure by the previous administration. They claimed that projects were over-priced leading to massive corruption. They therefore promised to offer to Ghanaians VALUE FOR MONEY for all projects. To this regard, they would have to audit to ensure that ministries present offer VALUE FOR MONEY Projects.

We must remember that this ministry is never new in the Public Policy discourse of this country. Late President John Evans Atta Mills created same portfolio. The only difference was that Tony Aidoo who was in charge of this had his office at the presidency. He was starved of resources, hence that office became redundant over time. His incessant complains of being left in the cold led to the dissolution of that portfolio. He was subsequently made an Ambassador to Holland, a portfolio he held until the fall of the government.

Former President Mahama also created a similar office, this office was in charge of PRIORITY / SPECIAL PROJECTS of the government. It was headed by the ‘THREE WISE MEN’ – ALBAN BAGBIN, E.T MENSAH and CLETUS AVOKA. These persons all became redundant and hence the office died a natural death.

It seems every new government sees its importance. However, persons who occupy them are left in the cold as the government progresses. Its ELEVATION to a MINISTERIAL STATUS however tells of the attachment President Akufo-Addo attaches to it. At least, it would not be starved of resources as it would have a BUDGET ALLOCATION as a ministry every year.

WHO QUALIFIES FOR THIS MINISTRY

This MINISTRY would apart from the constitution of the republic of Ghana have THE 2016 MANIFESTO OF THE NPP as its second Bible. It would be committed to ensuring that the ministries are working according to the promises made in it. Therefore, it would be important to have A NATURAL PARTY PERSON – someone who is committed to the ideals and principles of the NPP. One who was part of the drafting of the MANIFESTO and was ACTIVELY INVOLVED in the campaign for the election of the NPP into power.

The person must also be someone with FINANCE/STATISTICS/ECONOMICS BACKGROUND to be able to determine that indeed, there is value for money in projects executed. That person must also have a knowledge of the PROCUREMENT LAW to know when to allow for SOLE SOURCING and when to go for full tender. The nominee must also know about how PUBLIC POLICY WORKS so he/she can have a mixture of the two to achieve the NEEDED RESULTS for the administration.

DOES AKOTO OSEI QUALIFY?

DR AKOTO OSEI served as a DEPUTY MINISTER of Finance under the Kufour administration. He also became a MINISTER OF STATE at the same ministry. He is a Parliamentarian and was the MINORITY SPOKESPERSON ON FINANCE when the party was in opposition. He scrutinized projects and criticise where necessary. He was tipped to be the FINANCE MINISTER by many after Akufo-Addo was declared President.

The MP is also a PARTY PERSON and hence believe he is cut for the POSITION. He just MUST NOT be overly critical or he would slow down the execution of projects.