Government Ministries

The political head of a ministry, such as the Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Affairs or the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture, is the minister. The president appoints most of the ministers and assistant ministers from among the members of the National Assembly, but he or she may also appoint not more than four persons from outside the Assembly. The permanent secretary, a non-political appointment, is the chief executive and accounting officer of a ministry with oversight over all its departments, divisions and agencies.