President John Dramani Mahama appears to have completed his nominations for central and local government ministerial positions, except for the deputy ministerial positions that have not been announced yet.
So far, he has named nominees to head the 23 central government ministries he will operate, as well as the 16 regional ministries, in addition to the three (3) Ministers of State positions he created.
A careful look at the nominees, some of whom have been vetted and approved by Parliament, points to President Mahama sticking to loyalty and experience.
Eighteen (18) out of Mahama’s 26 central government ministerial appointees, representing 67% of the appointments, served in his first term, with only eight being ‘newcomers’.
Ten out of the 18 who served in Mahama’s previous government received promotions – from deputy ministerial positions, plus one municipal chief executive position to a full ministerial positions.
The remaining eight (8) served in different ministerial portfolios in Mahama’s first term.
Below is a breakdown of Mahama’s ministerial appointments:
The Promotions:
1. Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, who has been appointed as Minister of Finance, was a Deputy Minister of Finance during Mahama’s first term.
2. John Jinapor
Minister of Energy and Green Transition John Jinapor has gone a rank up from the deputy energy minister position he occupied during Mahama’s first term.
3. Dr. Dominic Ayine
Dr. Dominic Ayine, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, also received a promotion, having served as a Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice in Mahama’s first government.
4. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who deputised for Minister of Education, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang during the president’s first term, is now the Minister of Foreign Affairs-designate, awaiting approval by Parliament.
5. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed
Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, who was Mahama’s Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, is now the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology-designate.
6. Adjel Kenneth Gilbert
Former Deputy Minister of Defence, Adjel Kenneth Gilbert, is now the Minister of Works, Housing and Water Resources.
7. Abla Dzifa Gomashie
Abla Dzifa Gomashie, who was the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, is now the substantive minister for the sector.
8. Emelia Arthur
Emelia Arthur, a former Deputy Western Regional Minister under Mahama, is now Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
9. Felix Kwakye Ofosu
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, a former Deputy Minister of Information, is now Mahama’s Minister of State, Government Communication-designate.
10. Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum
The Minister of State in charge of Special Initiatives-designate, Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum, was the Deputy Minister of Local Government during Mahama’s first term.
11. George Opare Addo
The Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, was a former Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the Akuapem North Municipal Assembly.
Appointments from Experience:
1. Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka
Minister of Interior, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, is a former Minister of Youth and Sports.
2. Dr. Edward Omane Boamah
Minister of Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, was Minister of Communications during Mahama’s first term.
3. Haruna Iddrisu
Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, was President Mahama’s Minister of Trade and Industry during his first term.
4. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah
Former Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, is now the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.
5. Abdul-Rashid H. Pelpuo
Former Minister of Youth and Sport, Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, has been nominated by Mahama as Minister of Labour, Jobs-designate
6. Eric Opoku
Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, was Ashanti Regional Minister and subsequently the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister during Mahama’s first term.
7. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare
Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, who was the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts during Mahama’s first term, has been appointed Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry.
Newcomers:
Minister of Health: Kwabena Mintah Akandoh
Minister of Roads and Highways: Kwame Governs Agbodza
Minister of Transport: Joseph Bukari Nikpe
Minister of Sports and Recreation: Kofi Iddie Adams
Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs: Ahmed Ibrahim
Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations: Samuel Nartey George
Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection: Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey
Minister of State, Climate Change and Sustainability: Issifu Seidu
BAI/AE
You can also watch videos from the Minority after chaos erupted during Mintah Akandoh’s vetting