This satirical novel takes place in an imaginary African state - Afromacoland - two years after British colonial rule has come to an end and the first national 'democratic' government is in power. The 'Chief the Honourable Minister' of the title is Alade Moses, B.A., Dip. Ed. (University of London), Headmaster of the Grammar School in his home town of Newtown. While he is in London on a visit organised by the British Council, he is suddenly informed that he has been appointed a Minister in the Government of his country. He returns to become, unwillingly, Minister of Works, and the innocent catalyst who sparks off a chain of events which ends in corruption, bloodshed, and tragedy for himself and his country.
