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Mahama nominates 10 people for consideration as regional ministers

Enoch Darfah Frimpong Politics Jan - 14 - 2025 , 17:41 5 minutes read

President John Dramani Mahama has nominated 10 people for Parliament to consider for appointment as regional ministers.

The names of the 10 nominees have been forwarded to the Speaker of Parliament.

They are nominees for Oti, Volta, Eastern, Northern, North East, Upper East, Ashanti, Ahafo, Savannah, and Greater Accra.

There are six regions outstanding - Western, Western North, Central, Bono East, Bono, and Upper West, where the President is yet to nominate people for consideration for appointment.

Apart from the Greater Accra Region where the nominee is not a regional executive of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), all the other nine nominees are executive officers of the NDC in their respective regions.

The Greater Accra nominee, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo is a Member of Parliament (MP) for Shai Osudoku.

List of the 10 nominees for regional minister positions

Mrs Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey - Eastern
Ibrahim Tia - North East
Dr Frank Amoakohene - Ashanti
Danatus Akamugri Atanga - Upper East
Charity Gardiner - Ahafo
Salisu Bi-Awuribe - Savannah
Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo - Greater Accra
Ali Adolf John - Northern
John Kwadwo Gyapong - Oti
Volta – James Gunu

Already, three nominees, who are all members of Parliament have been vetted by Parliament's Appointment Committee and are waiting for approval from the plenary.

They are Dr Cassiel Ato Forson for Finance, John Jinapor for Energy and Green Transition and Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine for Attorney General and Minister of Justice.

They are MPs for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam, Yapei-Kusawgu and Bolgatanga East respectively.

*Ali Adolf John (middle), the current Northern Regional Chairman of the NDC*

Graphic Online's Simon Unyan reports that the nomination of Ali Adolf John, the current Northern Regional Chairman of the NDC for consideration as Northern Regional Minister for instance has been welcomed in the North.

Ali Adolf John, is a former District Chief Executive of Saboba.

He served in that position under President John Evans Atta Mills and President John Mahama's first tenure.

He is an educationist and has held various roles within the Ghana Education Service, including Tutor, Circuit Supervisor, and Desk Officer.

He holds a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Technology degree from the University of Education, Winneba (UEW).

Attached below is the profile of the nominees provided by the presidency

Ashanti

Dr. Frank Amoakohene is a medical professional and youth leader with expertise in healthcare, governance and public service.

He holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Ghana, a Doctor of Medical Laboratory Science degree from the University of Development Studies and an MBA from the Accra Business School.

He is currently the Ashanti Regional Secretary of the NDC.

Volta

James Gunu is a veteran media practitioner. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism, a Master of Arts in Development Communication, and a Master of Arts in Local Government Administration and Organisation.

Mr Gunu is the former MCE for Akatsi.

Eastern

Mrs. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey is a distinguished leader with a wealth of experience in governance, education, and community development.

She holds an MPhil in Leadership from the University of Professional Studies, Accra. And has an impressive track record as a local governance practitioner, having served as Presiding Member of the Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly and Deputy Eastern Regional Women Organiser of the NDC.

She is also a seasoned educator and advocate for women's empowerment, with a commitment to advancing local development and inclusive governance. She is currently pursing a PhD in Migration at the University of Ghana.

Oti

John Kwadwo Gyapong is a Business Executive and former Member of Parliament for the Akan Constituency.

He serves currently as the NDC Regional Chairman for the Oti Region.

He Holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Cape Coast.

Upper East

Akamugri Donatus Atanga holds a Masters in Human Rights and a Bachelor of Education Degree in Social Studies and Mathematics from the University of Education Winneba.

He has previously served as a Coordinator of the National School Feeding Programme and Presiding Member of the Bongo District Assembly.

Northern

Ali Adolf John is an education professional, having served as a Tutor, Circuit Supervisor and Desk Officer within the Ghana Education Service structure.

He holds a Bachelor of Education and Masters in Technology degrees from the University of Education, Winneba.

He is currently the Northern Regional Chairman of the NDC.

Ahafo

Charity Gardiner is a businesswoman and Human Resource Professional with close to a decade of experience.

She has strong credentials in non-profit, humanitarian work, with specific interest in girl child education and empowerment. She holds a Masters and Bachelors degrees in Human Resource Management.

Savannah

Salisu Be-Awuribe is a Law Lecturer, Lawyer, Valuation Professional and Development Expert.

He has previously served as District Chief Executive of the Central Gonja District.

He holds a Professional Qualifying Certificate in Law from the Ghana School of Law, a Masters in Law degree from the University of Ghana and Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Science in Land Economy from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

Greater Accra

Linda Ocloo is the Member of Parliament for the Shai-Osudoku constituency. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Administration (Banking and Finance option) from the University of Ghana.

North East

Ibrahim Tia is a public health finance and local government professional with expertise in systems management, public relations, and health financing.

He has extensive experience, including his work with the National Health Insurance Scheme, where he rose from the position of District Manager to Deputy Regional Manager for the Northern Regional Office of the NHIA.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Information and Communication Technology, a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies, and a Mini MBA in Project Management. Mr. Ibrahim Tia has served as the Regional Secretary of the NDC in the North East Region since 2019.