President John Dramani Mahama has officially sworn in his second set of five ministers of state after they were approved by Parliament. The newly appointed ministers are set to take on key roles in various sectors of the government to drive positive change and development in Ghana.
The newly sworn-in ministers include Abla Dzifa Gomashie, who will serve as the Minister for Tourism and Creative Arts, George Opare Addo as the Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, Emilia Arthur as the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ahmed Ibrahim as the Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, and Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare as the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry.
In a ceremony held at the Jubilee House on Friday, 24th January 2025, President Mahama led the ministers in taking the Oath of Allegiance, the Oath of Minister of State, and the Oath of Secrecy. They were then presented with their Instruments of Appointment and signed the oath book to formalize their positions in the government.
President Mahama expressed his confidence in the newly sworn-in ministers, emphasizing their ability to fulfill their mandates and bring about positive change for the people of Ghana. He also stressed the importance of maintaining regional and gender balance in his appointments, highlighting the government’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity.
With a focus on gender equality, President Mahama noted that 27% of women are now participating in government, with 20 out of the 75 appointees being women. This is a significant step towards the 30% representation goal set during the election campaign and enshrined in the Affirmative Action Act.
President Mahama concluded his address by urging the ministers to work diligently and effectively to meet the expectations of the Ghanaian people. This swearing-in ceremony brings the total number of ministers sworn in to 11, following the first batch of six ministers who took their oaths on Wednesday, 22nd January.
The new ministers are expected to hit the ground running and work collaboratively to drive progress and development in their respective sectors. With a focus on inclusivity and gender equality, the Mahama government is poised to make significant strides towards building a more equitable and prosperous Ghana for all its citizens.