Accra: President John Dramani Mahama has officially constituted his 19-member cabinet, adhering to Article 76 (1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana. This constitutional mandate requires the President to establish a Cabinet comprising at least 10 and no more than 19 ministers.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Cabinet's composition, which includes the President, Vice-President, and up to 19 Ministers of State, is detailed in Article 76 of the 1992 Constitution. The announcement was made after the Cabinet's inaugural meeting with President Mahama at the government seat in Accra, conveyed by Mr. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Presidential Spokesman and Minister of State in-charge of Government Communications.
The Cabinet members include Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson as Finance Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka as Minister for the Interior, Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah as Defence Minister, Dr. Dominic Akurutinga Ayine as Attorney General and Minister of Justice, and Mr. Kwabena Minta Akandoh as Minister of Health. Other notable appointments are Mr. John Abu Jinapor as Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu as Minister of Education, and Madam Elizabeth Ofosu Agyare as Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry.
Completing the 19-member team are Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah as Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Eric Opoku as Minister of Food and Agriculture, and Mr. Samuel Nartey George as Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations. Additional members include Mr. Governs Kwame Agbodza as Minister for Roads and Highways, Mr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed as Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, and Mr. Kenneth Gilbert Adjei as Minister of Works, Housing and Water Resources.
In addition, Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim serves as Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey as Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Mr. Joseph Bukari Nikpe as Minister of Transport, and Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo as Minister of Labour, Jobs, and Employment, forming the core of the Cabinet with the President and Vice-President.
Mr. Ofosu noted that aside from these Cabinet members, additional ministers attended the meeting, including Mr. Iddie Kofi Adams, Mr. George Opare Addo, Madam Emelia Arthur, and Madam Dzifa Abla Gomashie, covering areas such as sports, youth development, and fisheries.
The primary aim of the maiden Cabinet meeting was to introduce the Cabinet and align expectations. Ground rules were established, and crucial briefings on governance matters were conducted. Security briefings were provided by the Minister for the Interior, the Minister of Defence, and Mr. Prosper Douglas Bani, the National Security Coordinator, who collectively assured that Ghana's security remains robust.
Mr. Goosie Tanoh, the Presidential Advisor on the 24-hour Economy and Accelerated Export Developments, briefed the Cabinet on the preparations for the 24-hour Economy initiative. This initiative is a significant transformation plan by President Mahama to evolve the Ghanaian economy into one that operates continuously.
