In a ceremony at Jubilee House, the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, has officially sworn in six newly approved Ministers of State following their successful vetting and subsequent approval by Parliament.
The President who presided over the ceremony administered the Oath of Allegiance, the Oath for Ministers of State and the Oath of Secrecy to the new Ministers of State.
These appointments, part of President Mahama’s commitment to forming a lean and efficient government, mark the first wave of ministerial inductions for his administration.
The appointees include Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, MP for Ajumako Enyan Essiam, as Minister of Finance; Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor, MP for Yapei Kusawgu, as Minister of Energy; and Hon. Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine as Attorney General and Minister for Justice.
Also sworn in were Hon. Haruna Iddrisu as Minister of Education, Hon. Eric Opoku as Minister of Agriculture, and Hon. Kwame Governs Agbodza as Minister of Roads and Highways.
President Mahama emphasized his commitment to swift governance, noting that the appointments fulfill his campaign pledge to assemble his team within 14 days of taking the presidential oath.
“During the campaign before the elections, I made a pact with the people of Ghana to nominate ministers to my government within 14 days of being sworn in. And I had every intention of keeping that promise. 14 days after I took the oath of office, which was yesterday, that promise stood fulfilled.
“I have presented to the Rt. Honourable Speaker of Parliament names 23 sector ministers, 3 ministers of state, and 16 regional ministers for the approval of parliament.”
President John Dramani Mahama
President Mahama further noted that so far he has named 42 ministers, including regional and sector heads, with plans to appoint deputies to bring the total to 60—what he described as Ghana’s “leanest and most efficient government ever.“
Urgent Tasks for Key Sectors
The President outlined ambitious mandates for the six newly sworn-in ministers, stressing the critical nature of their roles in addressing the nation’s pressing challenges.
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson was charged with reducing inflation, stabilizing the currency, and managing national debt. President Mahama described him as pivotal to achieving macroeconomic stability.
On Energy, President Mahama pointed out that Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor faces the twin challenges of ensuring a stable energy supply and resolving the sector’s debt crisis.
“To you the honourable minister of energy Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor, Ghanaians are looking for a stable and efficient power supply; they are looking to you to accelerate our upstream and downstream petroleum sectors in order that Ghanaians can reap the benefit of the potential that God has given us.
“They are also looking to you to manage the energy sector debt and be able to remove it as an albatross around the neck of our economy.”
President John Dramani Maham
He praised his proactive measures in averting a recent power crisis linked to the closure of the West African Gas Pipeline for maintenance.
On Agriculture, President Mahama tasked Hon. Eric Opoku with the responsibility of ensuring food security and reducing the cost of living by making food affordable.
The Minister for Roads and Highways, Hon. Governs Kwame Agbodza’s portfolio includes addressing the deplorable state of roads across the country, a perennial issue affecting transport and commerce.
On Education, President Mahama noted that Hon. Haruna Iddrisu will lead a national review conference on education aimed at improving educational outcomes and equipping youth with employable skills.
Turning his focus on justice, the President indicated that Hon. Dr Dominic Ayine was entrusted with reforming Ghana’s judicial system to enhance transparency and accessibility.
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice is also expected to spearhead a national constitutional validation conference to amend the 1992 Constitution.
Transparency, Accountability, and the Rule of Law
President Mahama stressed his administration’s zero tolerance for corruption and mismanagement. He urged the ministers to declare their assets and adhere to ethical standards, adding that anti-corruption institutions would be empowered to investigate any appointee who falls foul of the law.
“As I pointed out during my inaugural speech, Ghanaians have thrown their votes, and declared their intention to demand the highest standards of governance and we cannot afford to fail them.
“This naturally puts a burden of responsibility on us which we must prove equal to. Ghanaians have shown that the days of tolerance for disrespectful gaslighting by government officials are well and truly over.”
President John Dramani Maham
Acknowledging the challenging state of the economy and other sectors inherited by his administration, President Mahama reiterated his commitment to resetting Ghana.
He highlighted ongoing efforts, including measures to address food shortages in schools and the delivery of fuel to thermal plants to stabilize power supply.
The President concluded by expressing confidence in the competence of his team and pledging to work tirelessly alongside Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang to meet the aspirations of the Ghanaian people. “We cannot afford to fail. Ghanaians have placed their trust in us, and we must rise to the challenge,” he said.
The ceremony underscores the administration’s resolve to tackle Ghana’s economic and social challenges head-on, setting the tone for what promises to be a decisive term in office.
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