The president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has stated his ministers will play a key role in his consultations to determine who become their deputies for the at least 30 substantive ministries under his government.

A total of 36 ministers have been named by the President who has explained only 30 will be manning the various substantive ministerial positions when approved.

The six others, he pointed out, will be under the presidency for the specially created portfolios.

It is not clear the number of deputy ministers the president will appoint, though it is likely some ministries will have two deputies while the six ministers who will operate under the presidency may not have deputies.

Announcing the last batch of his ministers-designate Thursday, President Akufo-Addo said he would wait for the approval of his nominees by Parliament and consult them before releasing the names of the deputy ministers.

“When the ministers are in place as the constitution requires, I have to consult with them to determine who will be the deputy ministers.

“It’s possible that all the consultation will be going on now but the final process will not take place and conclude until the ministers are in place.

We have to respect our constitution,” he explained. Parliament is set to begin vetting the 36 ministers-designate from January 24 when members of the House resume from recess.

But ahead of the vetting, the President has said he does not expect the Appointments Committee, which will conduct the vetting, to drag the vetting process considering the calibre of his nominees who he said have stood the test of public scrutiny and are men of integrity.

“I’m not anticipating there should be any long process…Many of them are well known figures in our national life. They’re men and women of integrity. They have passed several test of public scrutiny,” he said.

Regional Ministers

Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has indicated he will name his regional ministers from next week.

“We’ve come to the first round of our work. Next week, we may call to indicate to you the men and women who have been chosen to be regional ministers and then we’ll complete the process when the ministers have been approved,” he said.