James Gyakye Quayson — Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs designate. Picture: ELVIS NII NOI DOWUONA, Dorcas Affo-Toffey — Deputy Transport Minister designate. Picture: ELVIS NII NOI DOWUONA

Parliament approves final batch of ministers

Pacome Emmanuel Damalie Politics Jul - 31 - 2025 , 09:57 2 minutes read

Parliament last Tuesday approved all four outstanding Deputy Ministerial nominees appointed by the President.

The four Deputy Minister nominees, namely the Deputy Minister of Health, Prof. Grace Ayensu-Danquah; the Deputy Minister of Transport, Dorcas Affo-Toffey; the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, James Gyakye Quayson, and the Deputy Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Mohammed Adams Sukparu, were approved by consensus.

The approval followed the submission of the report of their vetting by the Chairman of the Appointments Committee, Bernard Ahiafor, in accordance with Article 79 (1) of the 1992 Constitution and Order 217 of the Standing Orders of Parliament.

All four deputy ministerial nominees were approved after a brief debate and evaluation of their qualifications, professional experiences and responses to questions.

“Following thorough scrutiny, the committee found all nominees competent and suitable. It, therefore, recommends by consensus that the House approve the nomination of all four individuals for appointment as deputy ministers,” Mr Ahiafor stated.

The nominations were referred to the Appointments Committee by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, on July 17, 2025.

The newly approved deputy ministers brought the total number of ministers to 60, as promised by President John Dramani Mahama prior to the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.

Background

The latest deputy ministers were appointed by President Mahama on July 9, 2025 to complete the list of the 60 ministers to superintend over the ministries.

A statement to this effect released by the Minister in Charge of Government Communication, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, indicated that the names of the final batch of ministers had been submitted to Parliament for approval.

“President John Dramani Mahama has, in accordance with Articles 78(1) and 79(1) of the Constitution, submitted the names of the underlisted to Parliament, through the Speaker for prior approval to serve as deputy ministers,” the statement issued by the Minister in Charge of Government Communication, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, read.

Subsequently, all nominees were vetted by the committee on July 25, 2025.