In Ghana’s system of government, a Minister of State is much more than a ceremonial title. Ministers are the principal implementers of government policy, the heads of ministries and sectors, and the bridge between the President’s agenda and the daily operations of the state. Yet the role is often misunderstood — partly because many Ministers are also Members of Parliament, holding two jobs at once.
Understanding what a Minister actually does requires looking at how they are appointed, what their legal responsibilities are, and how they interact with Parliament, Cabinet, and the public.
Quick Facts
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Ministers of State are appointed by the President with the prior approval of Parliament .
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The majority of Ministers must be appointed from among Members of Parliament, according to Article 78(1) of the 1992 Constitution .
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A Minister cannot hold any other office of profit unless permitted by the Speaker on the recommendation of a parliamentary committee .
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Ministers are bound by the principle of collective Cabinet responsibility — they cannot announce major policies without Cabinet approval .
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Ministers must appear before Parliament to answer questions about their ministries and the assurances they have given .
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There are two main types: Sector Ministers (who head ministries like Health or Finance) and Regional Ministers (who represent the President in a region) .
How a Minister Is Appointed
Unlike the President and MPs, Ministers are not directly elected by the public. The process is a collaboration between the executive and legislature:
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Nomination: The President nominates individuals for ministerial positions .
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Vetting: The Appointments Committee of Parliament publicly vets the nominees, examining their qualifications and suitability .
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Approval: Parliament votes to approve or reject the nominee. A simple majority is required .
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Swearing-In: Once approved, the Minister takes the oath of allegiance, the oath of Minister of State, and the Cabinet oath .
The Constitution requires that the majority of Ministers come from Parliament. This is why many MPs simultaneously serve as Ministers — they are legislators in the morning and executives in the afternoon .
The Two Types of Ministers
Sector Ministers
These are the Ministers most people think of — the Minister for Health, the Minister for Education, the Minister for Roads and Highways, the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture . Each heads a specific ministry and is responsible for the policies, programmes, and performance of that sector.
For example, the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur, recently represented Ghana at the FAO Committee on Fisheries in Rome, announcing new legislation and a marine protected area — all part of her sectoral mandate .
Regional Ministers
Regional Ministers serve a different function. They represent the President in each of Ghana’s 16 regions and are responsible for coordinating and directing the administrative machinery in that region . They are not required by the Constitution to be MPs.
What Ministers Actually Do Day-to-Day
1. Implement Government Policy
Ministers are the executive’s implementers. Once Cabinet approves a policy, the responsible Minister and their ministry must turn that policy into action. This involves drafting regulations, allocating resources, coordinating with other agencies, and monitoring progress.
2. Manage Their Ministry
A Minister is the political head of a ministry, supported by a Chief Director (the senior civil servant) and Deputy Ministers. The Minister sets the strategic direction, approves budgets, and is accountable for the ministry’s performance.
3. Answer to Parliament
Ministers are required to attend Parliament to answer questions from MPs about their ministries . This is one of the most important accountability mechanisms in Ghana’s democracy. Standing Order 60(1) obliges Ministers to attend sittings to answer questions, and Standing Order 60(3) requires them to respond within three weeks .
The Government Assurance Committee also summons Ministers to account for promises they made on the floor of Parliament. The Committee has directed that Ministers must appear personally, not delegate to deputies, to answer for assurances they gave .
4. Obtain Cabinet Approval
Ministers cannot simply announce policies on their own. A circular from the Presidency in October 2025 reminded Ministers that “no public policy, programme, or major initiative shall be considered a policy of Government unless it has been duly submitted to, deliberated upon, and approved by Cabinet” .
This is the principle of collective responsibility — Ministers speak for the government as a whole, not just for their own opinions. Any Minister who announces unapproved policies is breaching constitutional protocol .
5. Represent Ghana Internationally
Ministers frequently travel abroad to represent Ghana in international forums. The Fisheries Minister’s participation in the FAO summit is one example . The Communications Minister’s engagement with investors on ICT financing is another .
The Dual Role: MP and Minister
One of the most distinctive features of Ghana’s hybrid system is that many Ministers are also MPs. This means they have two sets of responsibilities:
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As an MP: They represent their constituents, debate laws, and hold the executive to account.
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As a Minister: They are part of the executive they are supposed to be holding to account.
Retired Supreme Court Justice Jones Dotse has criticised this arrangement, arguing that “the current hybrid parliamentary system where members of parliament can serve both the Executive and Legislative arms of government at the same time will not work for Ghana’s democracy” . He has urged Ghanaians to choose between a pure presidential system (Ministers from outside Parliament) or a parliamentary system (all Ministers from Parliament) .
The Limits of a Minister’s Power
Despite the title, a Minister does not have unlimited authority.
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They cannot make laws: Only Parliament can make laws. Ministers can propose bills, but they must go through the full legislative process.
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They cannot announce policies unilaterally: Cabinet approval is required for major initiatives .
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They cannot ignore Parliament: They must answer questions, appear before committees, and account for their assurances .
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They cannot hold other paid offices: Unless specifically permitted by the Speaker on the recommendation of a parliamentary committee .
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They serve at the President’s pleasure: The President can revoke a Minister’s appointment at any time .
Common Misconceptions
“Ministers are elected”
No. Ministers are appointed by the President and approved by Parliament. They are not directly elected by the public .
“A Minister can do whatever they want in their sector”
No. Ministers are bound by Cabinet decisions, the Constitution, and the law. They cannot announce policies without Cabinet approval .
“Ministers don’t have to answer to Parliament”
They do. Ministers are required to attend Parliament to answer questions and can be summoned by committees to account for their actions .
“The title ‘Minister’ means they are in charge of everything”
Ministers are in charge of their portfolios, but they operate within a system of collective responsibility and parliamentary oversight. Their power is significant but constrained.
“All Ministers are MPs”
The majority must be MPs, but some Ministers can be appointed from outside Parliament if they are qualified to be elected as MPs .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Minister and a Deputy Minister?
A Deputy Minister is appointed to assist the Minister in the performance of their functions. The appointment is made by the President in consultation with the Minister and with prior approval of Parliament .
Can a Minister be removed?
Yes. The President can revoke a Minister’s appointment at any time. The office also becomes vacant if the Minister dies, resigns, or is elected as Speaker or Deputy Speaker .
What happens if a Minister refuses to appear before Parliament?
The Government Assurance Committee has directed that Ministers must appear personally. Refusal to appear could be treated as a breach of parliamentary protocol, though enforcement mechanisms vary .
Do Ministers have to be Members of Parliament?
No. The Constitution allows for Ministers to be appointed from outside Parliament, as long as they are qualified to be elected as MPs. However, the majority must come from Parliament .
What is collective Cabinet responsibility?
It is the principle that all Ministers are collectively responsible for government decisions. Once Cabinet approves a policy, all Ministers must support it publicly, even if they disagreed privately .
Can a Minister hold a second job?
Generally no. A Minister cannot hold any other office of profit, whether private or public, unless the Speaker permits it on the recommendation of a parliamentary committee .
How does a Minister interact with the civil service?
The Minister sets policy direction, while the Chief Director and career civil servants implement it. The relationship is meant to be a partnership between political leadership and professional administration.
What to Remember
A Minister of State is a hybrid figure in Ghana’s governance — part executive, part legislator, part administrator. They are appointed, not elected, but they answer to Parliament. They head ministries, but they operate under Cabinet discipline. They are powerful, but their power is constrained by law, collective responsibility, and democratic oversight.
The next time you hear a Minister announce a policy or answer questions in Parliament, remember the machinery behind the title. A Minister is not a solo operator. They are part of a complex system designed to balance executive action with democratic accountability.
Source: The Accra Daily Mail
Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of The Accra Daily Mail, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
