President John Dramani Mahama has announced that he will not appoint deputy ministers for certain ministries to honour his commitment to maintaining a cabinet of 60 ministers, as pledged during his election campaign.

The President made this declaration during his address at the swearing-in ceremony of six ministers on Wednesday, 22 January 2025, at the Jubilee House.

“As the ministers are approved by Parliament and sworn in, I will proceed to appoint deputy ministers for some ministries, ensuring the total number of ministers remains at 60, as I promised the people of Ghana,” President Mahama stated.

He further explained that the decision to forgo deputy ministers for selected ministries aligns with his effort to fulfil his promise of forming a lean and efficient government. “This will make this government the leanest and, I believe, the most efficient in Ghana’s history,” he remarked.

The ceremony also marked the official commencement of duties for the first set of ministers, including Dr Cassiel Ato Forson as Finance Minister, Dr Dominic Ayine as Attorney General and Minister of Justice, John Jinapor as Minister for Energy, Governs Kwame Agbodza as Minister for Roads and Highways, Eric Opoku as Minister for Food and Agriculture, and Haruna Iddrisu as Minister for Education.