NEWS

Parliament Approves 7 More Ministerial Nominees in Ghana

Ghana’s Parliament approved the appointment of seven new ministers on January 29, 2025, allowing President John Dramani Mahama to formally swear them in. There was a surge of hope for the conclusion of the government’s formation after the approvals came after rigorous screening processes carried out by Parliament’s Appointments Committee.

Important individuals like Tia Ibrahim, who was nominated as Minister for the North East Region, and Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, who was appointed Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, are among the seven recently accepted nominees. Additional nominees are Akamugri Atanga Donatus, who will serve as the Upper East Regional Minister, and Dr. Frank Amoakohene, who will serve as the Ashanti Regional Minister. Following the release of the Appointments Committee’s seventh report, these appointments were reviewed and approved.

Along with these four, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo was appointed Greater Accra Regional Minister, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei was appointed Minister-designate for Works, Housing, and Water Resources, and Emmanuel Kwadwo-Agyekum was appointed Minister of State Designate for Special Initiatives. On January 28, 2025, they were vetted, and after the discussion of the Appointments Committee’s eighth report, they were approved. With this most recent set of confirmations, Parliament has now approved 24 ministers in total, including 17 that President Mahama has already swore in. Since more cabinet posts are anticipated to be filled in the next few days, the Parliament is still reviewing other nominees.

But not every appointment went as planned. There has been substantial debate about Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah’s nomination for Lands and Natural Resources. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the minority leader, expressed worry over Buah’s previous comments criticising former President Nana Akufo-Addo and suggested that more talks are necessary before his appointment is confirmed.

Now that Ghana’s leadership structure is taking shape, everyone is watching the ongoing screening procedure. The Appointments Committee is expected to hear testimony from Sam Nartey George, the Communications Minister-designate, and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Foreign Affairs Minister-designate, on January 30, 2025. These continuing discussions demonstrate how actively Parliament shapes the next administration.

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