Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has explained that his comments about the Mahama administration appointing over 100 presidential staffers were misinterpreted.
According to Jinapor, his statement referred to the combined number of ministers and presidential staffers.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Point of View, Jinapor said, “No, I did not, I said if you add the number of staffers—senior presidential advisors and the rest—to the ministers, you will be inching to 100. Yes, that is the point I was making.”
The clarification comes after Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, denied allegations that President John Mahama had appointed over 100 presidential staffers. Ofosu stated that the administration has 27 presidential staffers and three directors for specific interventions, totaling 30.
Jinapor also expressed concerns about the financial implications of such appointments, noting that some presidential staffers enjoy salaries and benefits comparable to those of ministers.
In a notable statement, Jinapor commended President John Mahama’s decision to appoint 56 ministers.
“President Mahama’s appointments of 56 ministers is welcomed, commendable, there’s absolutely no two ways about that. Provided always that the 56 ministers are able to deliver,” he said.