President John Dramani Mahama convened his first cabinet meeting to outline the policy direction of his administration and set the tone for governance.
Hon. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Member of Parliament for Abura Asebu Kwamankese and Minister of Government Communications, addressed the media following the meeting, highlighting key decisions and briefings received by the cabinet.
The Ghanaian Constitution mandates that the President form a cabinet consisting of 19 ministers. In adherence to this constitutional requirement, President Mahama’s cabinet comprises ministers responsible for critical sectors. The cabinet ministers include:
- Minister for Finance – Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, MP
- Minister for Interior – Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, MP
- Minister for Health – Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, MP
- Minister for Defence – Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah
- Attorney General and Minister for Justice – Dr. Dominic Akuritinga, MP
- Minister for Energy and Green Transition – John Abdulai Jinapor, MP
- Minister for Education — Haruna Iddrisu, MP
- Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry — Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, MP
- Minister for Lands and Natural Resources – Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, MP
- Minister for Foreign Affairs – Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP
- Minister for Food and Agriculture – Eric Opoku, MP
- Minister for Communication, Technology, and Innovations – Samuel Nartey George, MP
- Minister for Roads and Highways – Kwame Governs Agbodza, MP
- Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology-Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, MP
- Minister for Works, Housing, and Water Resources – Adjei Kenneth Gilbert
- Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs –Ahmed Ibrahim, MP
- Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection – Naa Momo Lartey, 𝐏𝐡𝐃, MP
- Minister for Transport – Joseph Bukari Nikpe, MP
- Minister for Labour, Jobs, and Employment – Abdul-Rashid H. Pelpuo, MP
Apart from these 19 cabinet ministers, additional ministers were present at the meeting, including the Minister for Sports and Recreation, the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, and the Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts.
The other minters include the Minister of State in charge of Special Initiatives, the Minister of State for Government Communications, the Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, and the Minister of State for Public Sector Reforms.
Setting the Governance Framework
Hon. Kwakye Ofosu stated that the primary objective of the inaugural cabinet meeting was to familiarize ministers with their roles and expectations.
“Now today’s session primarily was to introduce cabinets and ensure that people have a handle on what the expectation is of them, in cabinets. The ground rules were set out, and important briefings on matters relating to governance took place. There were a number of brief briefings”.
Hon. Felix Kwakye Ofosu (MP for Abura Asebu Kwamankese), Spokesperson to the President, and Minister of Government Communications
According to Hon Kwakye Ofosu the Minister for Interior, the Minister for Defence, and the National Security Coordinator delivered a comprehensive briefing on the state of security in the country.
“The general view emanating from the briefing was that Ghana’s security was strong. We are a safe country, and people are free to go about their normal activities without hindrance. Whatever threats exist, our security agencies have the capacity to deal with them”.
Hon. Felix Kwakye Ofosu (MP for Abura Asebu Kwamankese), Spokesperson to the President, and Minister of Government Communications
A key highlight of the meeting was a briefing from the Presidential Adviser on the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development, Mr. Goose Tano.
He provided an update on the government’s strategy for implementing the 24-hour economy, which is a flagship initiative of President Mahama’s administration.
According to Kwakye Ofosu, significant progress has been made in laying the foundation for the policy, which aims to transition Ghana into an economy that operates around the clock, boosting productivity and job creation.
“The briefing from Mr Goose Tano and his team shows that we are on course to ensure a smooth takeoff. In due course, the 24-hour economy secretariat will be engaging the Ghanaian media so that, through you, they can apprise the people of Ghana on the progress and next steps”.
Hon. Felix Kwakye Ofosu (MP for Abura Asebu Kwamankese), Spokesperson to the President, and Minister of Government Communications
Economic Briefing and Roadmap
Finally, Hon Kwakye Ofosu pointed out that the Finance Minister provided an in-depth analysis of Ghana’s economic situation, confirming that the challenges were even more severe than initially estimated.
The briefing according to him reinforced the urgent need for policy interventions to stabilize and revitalize the economy.
“We campaigned strongly on Ghana’s failing economy, and indeed, our fears were borne out when the Finance Minister made his briefing. The situation is dire. The numbers are even worse than we had known during the election period”.
Hon. Felix Kwakye Ofosu (MP for Abura Asebu Kwamankese), Spokesperson to the President, and Minister of Government Communications
Despite the grim outlook, Hon. Kwaky Ofosu emphasized that the government remains optimistic that its economic policies will steer the country towards recovery.
President Mahama is set to address Parliament in the coming days, where he will provide a detailed account of the current economic status and the administration’s strategy for economic revival.
In a bid to foster inclusive policymaking and national consensus on economic recovery, the government has scheduled the National Economic Dialogue for March 3-4.
The event according to Hon. Kwakye Ofosu will bring together key stakeholders from academia, civil society organizations, and the business community to deliberate on the economy’s challenges and opportunities.
Following the dialogue, the Spokesperson to the President indicated that the Finance Minister will present the government’s first budget on March 11, outlining fiscal policies and measures designed to address the economic downturn and stimulate growth.
“These engagements will provide further insights into the state of the economy and how we can collectively achieve consensus on the steps needed to ensure economic transformation,” Hon Kwakye Ofosu emphasized.
He also added that the Minister of Finance and the Economic Management Team are also set to engage the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on reviewing Ghana’s ongoing program and exploring additional avenues for economic stabilization.
The government is determined to ensure that all agreements with the IMF align with its development agenda and social intervention programs.
“We are committed to restoring fiscal discipline while ensuring that social spending is not compromised. The upcoming IMF negotiations will be crucial in defining Ghana’s economic trajectory”.
Hon. Felix Kwakye Ofosu (MP for Abura Asebu Kwamankese), Spokesperson to the President, and Minister of Government Communications
From Hon. Kwakye Ofosu’s address President Mahama’s first cabinet meeting laid the groundwork for his administration’s governance approach, focusing on security, economic recovery, and transformational policies like the 24-hour economy.
The upcoming State of the Nation Address, National Economic Dialogue, and budget presentation are expected to further shape the country’s policy trajectory.
READ ALSO: Poultry Farmers Urge Government to Develop Clear Policy for Industry Sustainability
