Former Ghana Trade Minister Kyerematen Calls for Smaller Government — MyJoyOnline

Former Ghanaian Minister of Trade and Industry Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen has called for a significant reduction in the size of the state apparatus and for more public funds to be directed toward productive economic activity. He said this during a public lecture at the British Council, MyJoyOnline reports.

Reducing ministries and the public sector

Speaking at a lecture on transforming Ghana's economy from stability to prosperity, Kyerematen proposed reducing the number of ministries, merging government departments and agencies, and downsizing the public sector.

In his view, the current government structure consumes resources that could be used to support businesses and create jobs. He also called for reducing the number of public-sector employees, the scope of certain public services, and government spending.

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Privatization and incentives for civil servants

Kyerematen proposed offering some civil servants incentives, including so-called “golden handshakes,” so they could leave the public sector and start their own businesses.

In addition, he advocated more active privatization of state-owned enterprises in order to expand private-sector participation in the economy. According to Kyerematen, Ghana will not be able to achieve economic transformation while a significant share of public resources is spent on maintaining the public sector.