Alhassan Suhuyini, Deputy Minister-Designate for Roads and Highways, has defended the importance of deputy ministerial positions in Ghana’s governance structure, highlighting their critical role in mentorship, emergency response, and government efficiency.
Speaking during his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Wednesday, February 27, Suhuyini underscored the need for deputy ministers, especially in complex ministries where workload and responsibilities can be overwhelming for a single minister.
According to him, the debate surrounding the relevance of these positions stems largely from varied personal experiences rather than an objective assessment of their impact.
Suhuyini underscored the role of deputy ministers as essential avenues for mentorship within the political space.
He noted that the experience gained by deputies often serves as an essential training ground for future leadership positions.
He explained that the deputy roles provide upcoming political leaders with practical exposure to the intricacies of governance and policymaking.
This mentorship process, he argued, ultimately strengthens government institutions and ensures continuity in policy execution.
“My personal view is that even as MPs, we have aids and there is always a need for fallbacks in times of emergencies and I think this whole conversation of the relevance of a deputy ministerial position is because of experiences that some people have had at the ministries they were nominated to be deputy ministers.
“But I have had conversations with others also who have given brilliant testimonies about how they have been supported and mentored by the ministers that they served under as deputies.”
