President John Dramani Mahama has submitted the final batch of his Deputy Minister nominees to Parliament, marking the completion of his ministerial appointments as promised ahead of the 2024 general elections.
This latest list includes four Members of Parliament, nominated to serve in various deputy roles, and brings the total number of ministers under the Mahama administration to 60, in keeping with his commitment to a lean and efficient government.
In a formal communication addressed to the Speaker of Parliament, President Mahama nominated Hon. Dorcas Afo-Toffey, Member of Parliament for Jomoro, to serve as Deputy Minister for Transport.
Also nominated was Hon. James Gyakye Quayson, the MP for Assin North, who is expected to take up the role of Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Joining them is Hon. Mohammed Adam Sukparu, MP for Sissala West, who has been selected to serve as Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations.
The final nominee, Hon. Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, MP for Essikado-Ketan, has been tapped for the role of Deputy Minister for Health.
The nominations were communicated by the Minister for Government’s Communications and Spokesperson to the President, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, who issued a brief statement confirming the development.
President Mahama’s decision to cap his ministerial appointments at 60 — including regional ministers, ministers of state, and their deputies — was a key campaign promise made in the lead-up to the 2024 elections.
It was part of a broader pledge to restore public confidence in governance and reduce the burden of government on the public purse.
His emphasis on a lean government was widely interpreted as a critique of the previous administration’s bloated ministerial structure, which critics argued contributed to inefficiency and high public expenditure.
Full Ministerial House
With this final submission, the President has now constituted the full complement of ministers required to run his administration.
These include sector ministers responsible for major ministries such as Finance, Education, Health, and Energy, as well as deputy ministers who support the policy and operational work of their respective sectors.
The nomination of Dorcas Afo-Toffey to the Transport Ministry is seen as a strategic placement, given her activism on infrastructure and coastal development issues in her constituency.
Her work on road safety and public transportation challenges along the Western corridor has received national attention, positioning her well for the role.
James Gyakye Quayson’s nomination to the Foreign Affairs Ministry also draws interest, particularly as it marks a notable moment in his political journey.
Hon. Quayson’s legal and political battles, especially over his eligibility to contest the Assin North seat, were the subject of intense national debate.
His inclusion in the executive is being viewed by supporters as both a vindication and a signal of Mahama’s confidence in his diplomatic and legislative capabilities.
Mohammed Adam Sukparu, on the other hand, is no stranger to matters of communication and youth innovation. A staunch advocate for digital inclusion in rural Ghana, he has pushed for improved mobile connectivity and internet access in the Upper West Region.
His experience and advocacy in this space make him a fitting choice for the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, which is central to the government’s digital transformation agenda.
Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah brings medical and humanitarian experience to the Health Ministry. A practising surgeon and former lecturer in public health, she has consistently advocated for improved maternal healthcare and the modernisation of health infrastructure, especially in under-resourced areas.
Her appointment is expected to strengthen the Ministry’s capacity in tackling both policy and public health challenges.
All four nominees are expected to appear before the Appointments Committee of Parliament for vetting and subsequent approval before assuming office.
The confirmation process will assess their qualifications, past records, and readiness to contribute meaningfully to the delivery of the President’s policy vision.
President Mahama’s deliberate selection of MPs for these roles also underscores his administration’s continued effort to ensure a stronger linkage between the legislature and the executive, fostering a governance style that prioritises collaboration, policy coherence, and accountability.
With the submission of these final nominees, President Mahama has now completed his constitutional mandate to form a government, as required under Articles 78(1) and 79(1) of the 1992 Constitution.
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