President John Dramani Mahama has nominated two Ministers of State and reassigned two substantive ministers in a reshuffle aimed at strengthening the delivery of government priorities.
In a statement issued by the Presidency on Friday, August 7, President Mahama nominated Dr. Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings, MP, as Minister of State for the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, while Mahama Ayariga, MP, has been nominated as Minister of State for the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
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The nominations, made in accordance with Article 78(1) of the 1992 Constitution, have been submitted to Parliament through the Speaker for prior approval.
The President has also reassigned Kenneth Gilbert Adjei from his current portfolio to become the new Minister for Defence, while Ahmed Ibrahim, MP, has been moved to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources.
The changes are expected to strengthen leadership across the affected ministries and enhance the government’s capacity to implement its development agenda.
Adjei takes over Defence Ministry
The reassignment of Kenneth Gilbert Adjei to the Defence Ministry is particularly significant, coming after the ministry was left without a substantive minister following the death of Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, who served as Defence Minister.
Dr. Omane Boamah’s death created a vacancy at the ministry and left the sector without a substantive political head.
The appointment of Mr Adjei is therefore expected to restore substantive ministerial leadership to the Defence Ministry and provide political direction for the ministry’s operations.
His new role will place him at the centre of government’s efforts to oversee Ghana’s defence and national security interests, including policy coordination with the Ghana Armed Forces and other relevant institutions.
Changes at Works and Housing
Ahmed Ibrahim’s reassignment to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources also comes at a critical time, with the government facing major infrastructure, housing and water-related challenges across the country.
His portfolio will include responsibility for advancing government programmes in public infrastructure, housing delivery and water resources management.
The Presidency said the changes formed part of efforts to “strengthen governance and enhance the delivery of government priorities.”
The two Minister of State nominees—Dr. Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings and Mahama Ayariga—will, however, require parliamentary approval before formally assuming their respective positions.
The latest changes add to President Mahama’s ongoing efforts to align his ministerial team with the government’s development priorities and improve the effectiveness of public administration.
