President Nana Akufo-Addo is set to unveil a significant ministerial reshuffle today, Wednesday, February 14, marking the most extensive overhaul since his assumption of office in January 2017.
Sources within the Jubilee House, the seat of Ghana’s government, have revealed that the long-anticipated reshuffle is set to be announced at 11 am, with considerable activity witnessed on the fourth floor, where ministers potentially affected by the changes have been congregating.
Approximately 12 current ministers of state, including 10 cabinet ministers and two regional ministers, are expected to be impacted by the reshuffle, with several high-profile government figures anticipated to either lose their positions entirely or undergo significant reassignments.
President Akufo-Addo held extensive discussions on Tuesday, February 13, with ministers and deputy ministers who could be affected by the reshuffle, as well as those set to join or leave his administration.
Sources confirm that calls have been going out since Tuesday night to both nominees and casualties, aiming to ensure a smooth transition.
However, insiders suggest that the reshuffle poses challenges, as some nominees have expressed hesitancy in accepting new roles, citing concerns about meeting the high expectations within the limited time remaining before the administration’s tenure expires.
Confirmed exits from the government include:
- Ken Ofori-Atta – Finance Minister
- Freda Prempeh – Sanitation and Water Resources Minister
- Dr. Mohammed Awa – Tourism Minister
- Ambrose Dery – Interior Minister
- Dr. Kwaku Afriyie – Environment Science, Technology and Innovation Minister
- Kwasi Amoako-Attah – Roads and Highways Minister
- Kwaku Agyeman Manu – Health Minister
- Dan Kwaku Botwe – Local Government Minister
- Zuweira Lariba – Gender Minister
On the other hand, new nominations include:
- Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover – Greater Accra Region
- Henry Quartey – Interior
- Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam – Finance
- Lydia Alhassan – Sanitation and Water Resources
- Andrew Agyepa Mercer – Tourism
- Ophelia Hayford Mensah – Environment Science, Technology and Innovation
- Ms. Fatimatu Abubakar – Information
- Kojo Oppong Nkrumah – Works and Housing
- Francis Asenso Boakye – Roads and Highways
- Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye – Health
- Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah – Local Government
- Darkoa Newman – Gender
The reshuffle comes on the heels of the recent resignation of former Trade Minister Alan Kyerematen and Agriculture Minister Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, who stepped down to focus on political campaigns.
Insiders reveal that the reshuffle, initially scheduled for December, was strategically postponed to coincide with the conclusion of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential and parliamentary primaries, aiming to shield ministers from potential electoral setbacks while transitioning to new roles.
The timing also sought to preempt unsuccessful candidates from attributing their loss to the president. Last week, efforts to reinvigorate local governance saw 24 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) relieved of their duties, with 26 replacements appointed.