I never said Mahama appointed 100 presidential staffers – Abu Jinapor

Samuel Abu Jinapor is the MP for Damongo. He is also a former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources. Recently, he denied claims that he accused the Mahama administration of appointing over 100 presidential staffers.

His clarification followed a response from the government. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister of State for Government Communications, denied these allegations. He stated that President John Mahama appointed only 27 presidential staffers. Additionally, three more individuals serve as directors for specific interventions, making a total of 30.

On Channel One TV’s The Point of View with Bernard Avle, Jinapor explained his comments were misinterpreted. He said he was referring to the combined number of ministers and presidential staffers. Together, they approached 100 appointees.

“No, I did not say that,” Jinapor clarified. “If you add senior presidential advisors to ministers, you will be inching to 100.” He also expressed concerns about the financial implications of such appointments. Some presidential staffers receive salaries and benefits similar to those of ministers.

Despite this clarification, Jinapor praised President Mahama’s decision to appoint 56 ministers. “President Mahama's appointments are commendable,” he stated. “There’s absolutely no two ways about that.” However, he emphasized that these ministers must be able to deliver results.