With an eye on the upcoming general elections on December 7, Ghana’s President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has made a massive shake-up in his government, sacking nine ministers.
President Akufo-Addo announced the decision to revoke the appointments of the ministers on February 14, a few weeks after his New Patriotic Party elected parliamentary candidates for the 2024 elections.
The shake-up comes amid pressure from some Ghanaians and civil society for the President to refresh his cabinet and bring in new ideas.
Many who had expected this to happen earlier think this may be late. Others are also questioning the impact this would have on a government with less than a year to wrap up.
In this article, The Ghana Report lists the ministers who President Akufo-Addo has booted out.
Ken Ofori-Atta
Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has finally been relieved of his duties.
This has been the wish of many, including over 90 members of Parliament on the NPP side of the aisle.
Under the watch of Ken Ofori-Atta, Ghana faced its worst economic crisis in decades in 2022 as inflation surged to over 50%, prompting the government to seek a $3bn bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The subsequent debt restructuring process was fraught with difficulties, further exacerbating the country’s financial woes.
Throughout this period, over 90 NPP legislators voiced their dissatisfaction with Mr Ofori-Atta’s handling of the economy, calling for his removal due to the hardships faced by ordinary Ghanaians.
The discontent was not limited to political circles. Labour organisations and youth activists took to the streets in protest over the soaring cost of living, demanding immediate action from the government to alleviate the financial burden on the populace.
Undoubtedly, many will heave a huge sigh of relief following Ofori-Atta’s departure.
Kwasi Amoako-Atta
Minister of Roads and Highways Kwasi Amoako-Attah is one of the ministers affected by the ministerial reshuffle made by President Nana Akufo-Addo.
The President has described Mr Amoako-Attah, who also doubles as Member of Parliament for Atiwa West, as the best performing Road Minister in the history of Ghana’s governance.
In his view, there has never been anyone like Mr Amoako-Attah regarding roads.
However, following the road minister’s decision to bow out of Parliament, President Akufo-Addo has relieved him of his duties.
Francis Asenso Boakye takes over from Kwasi Amoako-Attah as Roads and Highways Minister.
Daniel Kwaku Botwe
One of the notable departures from the Akufo-Addo government is that of Daniel Kwaku Botwe, Minister of Local Government, Rural Development, and Decentralisation.
Mr Botwe, who doubles as the MP for Okere in the Eastern Region, is renowned for his dynamic and progressive leadership within the NPP.
However, he officially declared that he would not seek re-election in the NPP parliamentary primaries.
Citing personal reasons for his departure, this decision has caused the President to relieve Mr Botwe of his duties.
Kwaku Agyeman Manu
Health Minister Kwaku Agyeman Manu has been booted out of office by President Akufo-Addo.
In his latest ministerial reshuffle, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr Bernard Okoe Boye, is the Minister-designate for Health.
Those who wanted the Health Minister Kwaku Agyeman Manu to exit believe it is time for accountability.
For those who have asked for the head of the Health Minister, his Sputnik Vaccine deal and the seeming lack of efforts to account for the monies Ghana paid to secure vaccines that never came in should cause Mr Agyeman Manu to answer some critical questions and perhaps face criminal charges if found guilty.
Freda Prempeh
In July 2023, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo appointed Freda Prempeh, Member of Parliament for Tano North, as the new Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources.
She took over from Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, whose letter of resignation, dated Saturday, July 22 2023, was accepted by the President.
Until her appointment, Madam Prempeh served as a Minister of State at the Presidency.
However, following her inability to secure the Tano North seat in the NPP parliamentary primaries, She has been shown the exit by President Akufo-Addo.
Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Awal
During his second term in office, President Nana Akufo-Addo appointed Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Awal to head Ghana’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.
Mr Awal was named to take the position previously held by Barbara Oteng Gyasi, who lost her parliamentary seat in the 2020 elections.
However, following a massive shake-up in Akufo-Addo’s government, he was ousted.
Dr Kwaku Afriyie
Dr Kwaku Afriyie was relieved of his role as the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation.
Dr. Afriyie previously served as Minister of Health and Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.
He also served as Western Regional Minister and Minister of State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA) at various stages of his political career.
As a former Minister of Health from 2001 to 2005, Dr. Afriyie led the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme, from concept through legislation to implementation.
Lariba Zuweira Abudu
Lariba Zuweira Abudu was nominated to steer the affairs of the Gender, Children and Social Protection Ministry after President Akufo-Addo, on July 28, 2022, revoked the appointment of Sarah Adwoa Safo, the then sector minister, after her leave of absence extension expired on August 31, 2021.
She was then approved on the dawn of Thursday, December 22, 2022, after the Appointments Committee of Parliament had vetted her in accordance with Article 78 (1) of the 1992 Constitution and Standing Order 172 of Parliament.
Madam Abudu, who doubles as MP for Walewale, was also kicked out by the President.
Dakota Newman, MP for the Okaikwei South Constituency, takes over the Gender Ministry from Madam Lariba Zuweira Abudu.
Joshua Gmayenaam Makubu
President Akufo-Addo sacked Joshua Gmayenaam Makubu from his role as Oti Regional minister.
Mr Makubu is the second person with a disability to be appointed Ghanaian minister. He assumed the role in 2021.
Following his exit, Daniel Machator took over the role of minister for the Oti region.