President Mahama swears in new batch of approved ministers minus Gender Minister nominee Naa Momo Lartey
President John Dramani Mahama on Friday swore five more ministers into office following parliamentary approval, bringing the total number of ministers in office to 11.
The Gender Minister-designate, Naa Momo Lartey, was among the additional six nominees who Parliament approved on Thursday (Jan 23, 2025) by Parliament, but she was not among those who were sworn into office on Friday.
Related: Six more of President Mahama's Ministerial nominees approved, bringing total to 12
The five ministers who were sworn into office were Abla Dzifa Gomashie for Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, George Opare Addo for Youth Development and Empowerment, Emelia Arthur for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Ahmed Ibrahim for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, and Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare for Trade and Industry.
The swearing-in marks the commencement of their roles in key government positions, reinforcing President Mahama desire to addressing critical national issues.
The Ghana News Agency (GNA) reports that President Mahama administered the Oath of Allegiance, Oath of Office, and Oath of Secrecy and presented the Instrument of Office to them.
He charged them to discharge their responsibilities with absolute commitment, saying: “It will not be business as usual. The people demand quick action after enduring bad governance over the last eight years”.
“All of you have enormous challenge to surmount in your respective sectors.”
The President cautioned the ministers to exercise due diligence in their respective roles, noting that “There will be no place for disrespect of the very people who elected us to serve”.
“I have absolute confidence in your abilities to get the job done and achieve measurable results that will turn the situation around and free the citizens from the clutches of poverty and suffering”.
While constituting his government, the President said he took into consideration the need for balance and fairness, hence, every region has been represented so far in his government.
“As at the beginning of this week, we have attained 27 percent women participation in government with 20 out of the 75 per cent appointees to ministries, agencies, the presidency and committees being women.”
“There is only three percent short of the 30 percent we promised during the electioneering campaign and as stated in the Affirmative Action Act,” he said.
The President gave the assurance that the remaining three percent would be taken care of in subsequent appointments.
Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, the Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, thanked the President for the confidence reposed in them and pledged to work assiduously to achieve their mandate.
The appointees were part of the second batch of ministerial nominees approved by Parliament.
The swearing-in is in accordance with Article 78(1) of the 1992 Constitution.