President Mahama Defends Lean Government as IEA Poll Shows Mixed Public Sentiment Amid Transparency Calls

The administration of President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed its commitment to fiscal discipline and a lean government, with Presidential staffer Beatrice Annan disclosing that the Office of the President currently employs 808 individuals. According to Annan, this workforce consists of 233 political appointees and 575 civil service personnel. The administration asserts that these staffing levels are significantly lower than those of the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, framing the current numbers as evidence of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)'s dedication to protecting public resources and promoting efficiency within public institutions. Annan has urged the public to disregard allegations regarding excessive government size, calling for evidence-based criticism from political opponents. However, this narrative of a reduced workforce has met with skepticism from opposition figures. Former Presidential Legal Adviser Kow Essuman has publicly challenged the government to release the 2024 staffing report to provide transparency. Essuman noted that while previous records indicated a decrease to 921 staff members by the end of 2023, the government must provide factual data to validate claims of personnel reduction, particularly in the face of rising compensation costs. He emphasized that the publication of the report is essential for Ghanaians to independently evaluate the administration's claims of maintaining a lean government. Parallel to the staffing debate, a recent poll by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has revealed a complex picture of public approval regarding the President’s performance. The poll indicates that 58.9% of Ghanaians approve of President Mahama’s handling of the economy and infrastructure development. This support is driven by significant macroeconomic improvements since January 2025, including a reduction in inflation from 23.5% to 3.4%, an appreciation of the cedi, and a decrease in the debt-to-GDP ratio. Despite these gains, approval has dipped from a high of 68% in late 2025, as many citizens express concern that these indicators have not yet translated into lower living costs or improved electricity supply. Ultimately, while the Mahama administration maintains a positive track record in infrastructure and macroeconomic stability, it faces mounting pressure to bridge the gap between high-level economic successes and the daily realities of the Ghanaian people. The call for transparency via the 2024 staffing report and the need to address persistent issues like corruption and job growth remain pivotal for the government's continued public support.