Mahama swears in 13 deputy ministers, stresses importance of lean government
President John Dramani Mahama has sworn in 13 deputy ministers and a minister of state at the Jubilee House, reaffirming his administration’s decision to run a lean government.
The deputy ministers will assist various ministries, including Finance, Defence, Education, and Roads, while Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba takes office as Minister of State in charge of Public Sector Reform.
Addressing the appointees, Mr Mahama explained that only ministries with heavy workloads had been assigned deputy ministers.
“With this goal in mind, I have carefully exercised discretion in appointing deputy ministers only for ministries with comparatively heavier workloads,” he said. “Ministries that can function effectively without deputy ministers have not been assigned any, reaffirming our decision to maintain a lean government.”
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List of newly sworn-in deputy ministers;
The newly appointed deputy ministers are:
• Thomas Nyarko Ampem – Ministry of Finance
• Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi – Ministry of the Interior
• Ernest Brogya Gyenfi – Ministry of Defence
• Clement Abas Apaak – Ministry of Education
• Richard Gyan-Mensah – Ministry of Energy & Green Transition
• Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini – Ministry of Roads & Highways
• Justice Srem-Sai – Ministry of Justice & Attorney General
• Yusif Sulemana – Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources
• Rita Naa Odoley Sowah – Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs
• Gizella Tettey-Agbotui – Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources
• Yussif Issaka Jajah – Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts
• John Kofi Setor Dumelo – Ministry of Food and Agriculture
• Samson Ahi – Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry
Additionally, Ms Akanvariba was sworn in as Minister of State in charge of Public Sector Reform.
Mr Mahama urged the new officeholders to serve with humility and avoid displays of wealth.
“I shall hold you to the same standards of accountability, diligence, hard work, and sacrifice for Ghana’s collective success,” he stated. “You must also ensure that any travel outside Ghana meets the ‘essential travel’ test and receives approval from the Office of the Chief of Staff.”
He reminded them to declare their assets promptly, adding that this requirement also applied to all CEOs and deputy CEOs of government agencies.
Mr Mahama disclosed that four more deputy ministers would be named within the week to complete his list of 60 ministers.
