On Tuesday, President John Dramani Mahama nominated 17 additional ministers for Parliament’s consideration for appointment in his administration. This brings the total number of ministerial nominees announced by President Mahama to 42, including seven women, five of whom are Members of Parliament. Of the 42 nominees, 24 are Members of Parliament.
Among the 17 nominees are three regional ministers, increasing the total number of regional ministerial nominees to 16. Despite the numerous CVs submitted by hopeful candidates, President Mahama has committed to maintaining a lean government with only 60 ministers. No deputy ministers have been nominated yet.
Two days after assuming office, on January 9, 2025, President Mahama announced a reduction in the number of ministries from 29 to 23. This administrative restructuring, aimed at enhancing efficiency, was formalized through the Civil Service (Ministries) Instrument, 2025 (E.I. 1), which revoked the previous arrangement under the Civil Service (Ministries) Instrument, 2021 (E.I. 12). The Executive Instrument was issued under the power conferred by Section 11(3) of the Civil Service Act, 1993 (P.N.D.C.L. 327).
In the new arrangement, three new responsibilities were introduced, with ministers nominated for Special Initiatives, Government Communications, and Climate Change and Sustainability. The Ministry of Information and other ministries, such as National Security, Parliamentary Affairs, and Railway Development, were revoked. Meanwhile, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs was added to the Ministry of Local Government, which now operates as the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs.
Additionally, Youth was separated from Sports to form the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment. Sports was renamed the Ministry of Sports and Recreation. Green Transition was added to the Ministry of Energy, creating the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition. Innovation was also removed from the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology and added to the Ministry of Communications, now renamed the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations.
Below are the details of the nominees:
Third Batch of Nominations
- Dr. Edward Omane Boamah – Defence
- Samuel Nartey George (MP) – Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations
- Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah (MP) – Lands and Natural Resources
- Kofi Iddie Adams (MP) – Sports and Recreation
- Abdul-Rashid H. Pelpuo (MP) – Labour, Jobs, and Employment
- Kwabena Mintah Akandoh (MP) – Health
- Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed (MP) – Environment, Science, and Technology
- Joseph Bukari Nikpe (MP) – Transport
- Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak (MP) – Interior
- Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP) – Foreign Affairs
- Adjei Kenneth Gilbert – Works, Housing, and Water Resources
- Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum (MP) – Special Initiatives
- Felix Kwakye Ofosu (MP) – Government Communications
- Issifu Seidu (MP) – Climate Change and Sustainability
Second Batch of Nominations
- Kwame Governs Agbodza (MP) – Roads and Highways
- Eric Opoku (MP) – Food and Agriculture
- Agnes Naa Momo Lartey (MP) – Gender, Children, and Social Protection
- Abla Dzifa Gomashie (MP) – Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts
- Emelia Arthur (MP) – Fisheries and Aquaculture
- George Opare-Addo – Youth and Empowerment
- Haruna Iddrisu (MP) – Education
- Ahmed Ibrahim (MP) – Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs
- Elizabeth Ofosu Adjare (MP) – Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry
First Batch of Nominations
- Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson (MP) – Finance
- John Abdulai Jinapor (MP) – Energy and Green Transition
- Dominic Akuritinga Ayine (MP) – Attorney-General and Minister of Justice
Regional Ministers
- Puozuing Charles Lwanga – Upper West
- Joseph Addae Akwaboa – Bono
- Francis Owusu Antwi – Bono East
- Wilbert Petty Brentum – Western North
- Eduamoah Ekow Panyin Okyere – Central
- Joseph Nelson – Western
- Ali Adolf John – Northern
- John Kwadwo Gyapong – Oti
- James Gunu – Volta
- Mrs. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey – Eastern
- Ibrahim Tia – North East
- Dr. Frank Amoakohene – Ashanti
- Akamugri Donatus Atanga – Upper East
- Charity Gardiner – Ahafo
- Salisu Be-Awuribe – Savannah
- Linda Ocloo (MP) – Greater Accra
This announcement underscores President Mahama’s commitment to reorganization and efficient governance while adhering to the constitutional requirement that most ministerial appointments come from Parliament.