The Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mark Okraku-Mantey, recently addressed criticisms labeling him as the least effective deputy minister in his field.
During an interview on Hitz FM on November 21, 2024, Mark emphasized that his primary responsibility as deputy minister is to offer support and guidance to his superior.
Mark firmly refuted claims of being the worst deputy minister to have held the position, citing his successful construction of amphitheaters as evidence of his accomplishments.
“I saw Abro’s video saying that I am the worst deputy minister ever in that ministry. It is stated in the 1992 constitution that the deputy minister’s role is to support the main minister. That is why I supported Dr. Bawumia when he stated that he is only a driver’s mate.
“That is why if I am to talk about what I have done, I can say that I only influence my boss. In the hierarchy of every organization, a deputy can’t do any project without the concern of his superiors. That is why the chain of command works in every organization. If you say I am the worst, that means you are comparing; now tell me the past deputy minister against me, but I have built the amphitheater; tell me what the past deputy ministers who have been in my position have done, and we can talk. So I am the only deputy in that ministry that you can pinpoint something, so I am not the worst,” he said.
Mark Okraku-Mantey, when asked why his administration has not been able to accomplish the amphitheaters, noted that they began to stall the projects when Ghana was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and other unforeseen circumstances.
“We are done with 60 to 70 percent of the amphitheaters, and we got short of budget. You know what we have been through as a country for the past years. IMF and even Covid-19, which affected us.
“The funding to finish the amphitheaters is in. I was even with the finance minister recently, and he asked why we are not coming for the money. So today some of the constructors are going back to the site,” he added.
