Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara on Wednesday said he has accepted the resignations of Prime Minister Patrick Achi and his government, reported Reuters.
Ouattara announced that he would reduce the size of the government to around 30 ministers from the current 41, with new appointments to be made next week.
“I have decided to reduce the number of government ministers in order to strengthen government effectiveness and bearing in mind the current world economic situation,” Ouattara said.
The Ivory Coast’s president added that a slimmer cabinet will be more efficient and in tune with the global economic climate. He said it is imperative to reduce state spending and refocus on social and security resilience in the country. He did not mention the ministerial positions which would be cut as part of the reshuffle.
President Ouattara praised Achi saying that he demonstrated immense commitment and determination throughout the past year, despite the exceptional conditions arising from the pandemic as well as the complex regional security environment.
The 66-year-old Achi started serving as Ivory Coast’s prime minister in April 2021. He was appointed to the post after his predecessor Hamed Bakayoko died of cancer. Bakayoko also became prime minister after his predecessor Amadou Gon Coulibaly died in July 2020.
At the cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Achi said his decision to resign followed the intentions of the president to reshuffle the government.
“We have given the best of ourselves to execute your vision for 2030,” he told Ouattara.
The president is expected to address a joint session of the West African country’s parliament on April 19, a government spokesperson told Reuters.
In related news, the United States (US), which has been the biggest contributor to the global pandemic response, has decided to drop nearly all funding for curbing the virus beyond American borders in dozens of countries, including Uganda, Zambia, Ivory Coast, and Mali.
