Kofi Bentil to CRC: Scrap regional ministries, cap ministers at 50

Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, has called for sweeping reforms to Ghana’s constitutional structure, including a proposal to abolish the position of Regional Ministers and cap the number of ministers at 50.

In a Facebook post addressed to H. Kwasi Prempeh, Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, on Friday, July 25, he laid out a radical blueprint for reshaping the country’s governance system. His proposals seek to reduce executive overreach, enhance the independence of the judiciary, and streamline the functions of key state offices.

“Abolish Council of State. Abolish Regional Ministers. Cap Ministerial positions to 50,” Bentil wrote, adding that leaner government structures would improve efficiency and accountability.

He also advocated for a strict separation of powers between the three arms of government: the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary. According to him, the current overlap undermines effective governance and weakens institutional independence.

“Create a massive wall between the three arms of government so that no one from the executive may be appointed to Parliament or serve on Boards; and judges will not be appointed by the Executive.

“Create a massive wall between the 3 arms of government so that no one from the executive may be appointed to parliament or serve on Boards, and Judges will not be appointed by the executive. So the President is elected by the UAS, and Parliament is part elected and part appointed. And they should not mix,” he added.

Furthering his reform agenda, Bentil recommended that Supreme Court Justices and heads of constitutionally protected bodies such as the Office of the Special Prosecutor, the Auditor-General, the Chief Justice, and the Electoral Commission Chairperson should be subject to term limits, a maximum of two five-year terms, extendable to three by a two-thirds vote in Parliament.