The Annual Report of the staffing position at the Office of the President submitted to Parliament for the period 1st January to 31st December 2022, has revealed that out of 1, 048 workers, only 361 were political appointees.
The report, which was submitted to Parliament on 30th March 2023 covers three key areas—the number of Presidential Staff employed at the Office of the President during the period, the ranks and grades of the staff and employees of other Public Services assigned to the Office of the President.
In a press statement issued on 30th March 2023 by the Presidency, during the reporting period, there were two Ministers of State and 44 Senior Presidential Staffers at post.
The other political appointees at the Office of the President numbered 315, bringing the number of political appointees to 361.
Out of the 361 political appointees at the Office of the President, the statement said, only 163 worked physically at the Jubilee House. “The others work in the offices to which they have been assigned.
“It is also instructive to note that, in keeping with the established practice of previous governments of the 4th Republic, the 315 other political appointees include Special Assistants, Executive Assistants, Personal Assistants to Ministers of State and Regional Ministers,” the press release stated.
Others include employees in the Office of the Vice President, Aides and Assistants assigned to the First Lady and Second Lady, as well as employees assigned to government agencies under the Office of the President, such as NEIP, Free SHS Secretariat and MASLOC.
The rest include Special Development Initiatives Secretariat and Evaluation Secretariat, Zongo and Inner Cities Development Secretariat, amongst others.
In addition to the political appointees at the Office of the President, the statement said 687 employees of Public sector organisations assigned to the Office were also included.
These categories of staff were from different classes, including Administrative, Executive/Clerical, Records, Secretarial, Budget, Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Presidential Household and staff from the Department of Parks and Gardens.
It also included the Ghana Health Service, Controller and Accountant General’s Department, Ghana Audit Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Public Works Department (Prestige) and Ghana Postal Company.
These categories of staff, according to the statement, were appointed by their respective public institutions and the Civil Service and have always been assigned to the Office of the President during previous governments.
The submission of the report, the statement indicated, is a clear indication of the President’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
“It provides a comprehensive overview of the staffing position of the Office of the President and it is expected to inform decision-making processes,” the said.
Rex Mainoo Yeboah, ISD
