President Nana Akufo-Addo has reshuffled his government for the first time, making 15 changes but sacking none to keep his administration the largest in Ghana's history.

There were four promotions - deputy Information minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah is expected to be in charge of Information ministry while two MPs - Hon. Evans Opoku Bobie of the Asunafo North constituency joins the government as Brong Ahafo regional minister designate.

NPP MP for Agona West Cynthia Morrison has been nominated the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection designate.

Photo: NPP MP for Agona West Cynthia Morrison

But the reshuffle is largely nine movements from one ministry to the other with the high profile ones being an energy expert, John Peter Amewu, who moves to Energy ministry, a job insiders say he hoped for when the President was first forming his government.

His move to a new ministry raises concerns about the government's fight against illegal mining which Amewu won public praise for his work.

Mustapha Abdul-Hamid who was said to be unhappy at the Information ministry is now a minister for Inner City and Zongo Development.

"I have been given a higher calling" an excited minister who is an Islamic scholar told Joy News. He said there is no better service he can provide than to serve the Zongo community, predominantly muslim.

"Quite frankly, I am beside myself" he said.

The presidency will restart its defence of the president's decision to maintain the size and shift the chairs despite more than 19 months of criticisms.

A deputy Chief of Staff Abu Jinapor told Joy News, the president is still satisfied with the numbers and the work of his government.

 

9th August, 2018

For Immediate Release

PRESIDENT AKUFO-ADDO MAKES CHANGES TO HIS GOVERNMENT

The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has made the following changes to the composition of his government, with immediate effect:

1. John Peter Amewu, former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and acting Minister for Energy, is now Minister for Energy;

2. Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh, former Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, is now Minister for Lands and Natural Resources;

3. Hon. Kofi Adda, Member of Parliament for Navrongo constituency and former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, is now Minister for Aviation;

4. Cecilia Abena Dapaah, former Minister for Aviation, is now Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources;

5. Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, former Minister for Information, is now Minister for Inner City and Zongo Development;

6. Hon. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Member of Parliament for Ofoase/Ayirebi constituency and former Deputy Minister for Information, is now Minister for Information designate;

7. Hon. Cynthia Morrison, Member of Parliament for Agona West constituency, is now Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection designate;

8. Paulina Tangoba Abayage, former Ambassador to Italy, is now Upper East Regional Minister designate;

9. Hon. Evans Opoku Bobie, Member of Parliament for Asunafo North constituency and former deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, is now Brong Ahafo Regional Minister designate;

10. Hon. Martin Oti Gyarko, Member of Parliament for Techiman North constituency, is now Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister designate;

11. Hon. Boniface Abubakar Saddique, Member of Parliament for Madina constituency and former Minister for Inner City and Zongo Development, is now Minister of State at the Office of the Vice President;

12. Rockson Bukari, former Upper East Regional Minister, is now Minister of State at the Office of the President;

13. Pius Enam Hadzide, former deputy Minister for Youth and Sports, is now Deputy Minister for Information;

14. Perry Curtis Okudzeto, former deputy Minister for Information, is now Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports; and

15. Otiko Afisa Djaba, former Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, is now Ambassador-designate to Italy.

President Akufo-Addo is hopeful that Parliament will expedite the vetting of the Ministers-designate for Information, and Gender, Children and Social Protection, and the Regional Ministers-designate for Upper East and Brong Ahafo, as well as the deputy Regional Minister-designate for Brong Ahafo, so they can assume their respective offices as quickly as possible. Eugene Arhin Director of Communications