President John Dramani Mahama continues to shape up his government, less than two months after taking office.
The president, on Thursday, February 20, 2025, named 19 men and women as members of his Cabinet – the highest decision-making body of the government – in accordance with the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.
Section 1 of Article 76 of the Constitution states that “There shall be a Cabinet which shall consist of the President, the Vice-President and not less than ten and not more than nineteen Ministers of State.”
The 19 persons, made up of two women and 17 men, according to Section 2 of Article 76, are to “assist the President in the determination of the general policy of the Government.”
To better appreciate the demography of this team, here is a brief profile of the men and women who form Ghana’s Cabinet, together with President Mahama and Vice President Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.
1. Minister of Finance – Dr Cassiel Ato Forson
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson is the current Member of Parliament of the Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam Constituency in the Central Region. He has been representing the people of Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam since 2009.
Dr Ato Forson was born on August 5, 1978, and hails from Jumako Bisease in the Central Region. He is a Christian and is married with two children.
Dr Ato Forson obtained his first degree in accounting at South Bank University in London. He holds a Master of Science in Taxation from the University of Oxford, UK, and another Master of Science degree in economics from KNUST. He obtained a PhD in Business and Management (finance option) in September 2020 from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana.
He was a Deputy Minister of Finance during the first government of President John Dramani Mahama.
2. Minister of Interior – Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka
Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka was born on October 17, 1971. He is married with five children and is a Muslim.
He is the current Member of Parliament of the Asawase Constituency in the Ashanti Region. He has served as the Member of Parliament for Asawase since 2005.
He has previously served as the Minority Chief Whip in Ghana’s Parliament and as Minister of Youth and Sports.
Muntaka is a development planner and quantity surveyor, holding a B.Sc. in Agricultural Economics and an MSc in Development Policy and Planning.
3. Minister of Health – Kwabena Mintah Akandoh
Kwabena Mintah Akandoh is the current Member of Parliament of the Juaboso Constituency in the Western Region. He also represented the constituency in the 6th, 7th and 8th Parliaments.
He, who was born on June 19, 1980, hails from Sefwi Antobia and is a Christian.
He obtained an MSc in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Cape Coast. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh was the director of the National Service headquarters from 2010 to 2012. He was also the Deputy Minister of Land and Natural Resources between 2015 and 2016.
4. Minister of Defence – Dr Edward Omane Boamah
Dr Edward Omane Boamah served as the Minister of Communications and Spokesperson for President Mahama in his first administration as Head of State.
He is a medical doctor, and health policy planning and financing analyst, with a rich background in strategic negotiation, solution-oriented leadership, environmental security, and Information and Communication Technology, including cybersecurity.
He is a product of the University of Ghana Medical School, the London School of Economics and Political Science, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and Harvard University.
His diverse educational background empowers him to merge his medical expertise with a deep understanding of financial planning and strategic analysis to solve complex challenges.
5. Minister of Foreign Affairs – Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa is the Member of Parliament of the North Tongu Constituency in the Volta Region, which he has served since 2012.
Ablakwa served as a Deputy Minister of Information and a Deputy Minister of Education under previous governments of his party, the National Democratic Congress.
He hails from Aveyime and was born on August 11, 1980.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Philosophy from the University of Ghana, an MSc in Defence and International Politics (MDIP) from the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, and an MA in Communications and Public Relations from the University of Leicester.
6. Attorney General and Minister of Justice – Dr Dominic Ayine
Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine is the current Member of Parliament of the Bolgatanga East Constituency in the Upper East Region.
Dr Ayine, who has been the MP for Bolgatanga East since 2013, was born on January 6, 1966, at Zuarungu, in the Upper East Region.
He is a senior lawyer with three decades of experience in practice. He previously served as Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice and is the founding partner of Ayine & Partners Law Offices.
He holds a PhD in law from Stanford University, a Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of Michigan Law School, and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Ghana. He has also lectured at the University of Ghana Law School for many years.
7. Minister of Energy and Green Transition – John Jinapor
John Abdulai Jinapor is a Member of Parliament of the Yapei-Kusawgu Constituency in the Savanna Region, a constituency he has represented since 2017.
He was a Deputy Minister of Energy during President Mahama’s first term – from 2013 to 2017.
John Abdulai Jinapor was born on June 8, 1979. He hails from Buipe in the Savannah Region.
He brings a wealth of hands-on experience, competence, and know-how to the energy portfolio. With his extensive qualifications, particularly in energy economics and finance, he is expected to bring much-needed dynamism and capabilities to transform the energy sector.
Jinapor holds a Master of Arts Degree (MA) in Economic Policy Management, an MBA in Marketing, and a Master of Science (MSc) in Development Finance from the University of Ghana. He also holds a Master of Science (MSc) Degree in Energy Economics from GIMPA and a Postgraduate Diploma in Finance and Financial Law from the University of London.
8. Minister of Education – Haruna Iddrisu
Haruna Iddrisu is the Member of Parliament of Tamale South Constituency in the Northern Region, a constituency he has represented since 2005.
He served as Minister of Communications from 2009 to 2013 and Minister of Trade and Industry from 2013 to 2014. He also served as the Minority Leader in Parliament from 2017 to 2023.
Haruna Iddrisu holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and he is also a Barrister-at-law. He has been a member of the Ghana Bar Association since 2002.
He was born on September 8, 1970, and hails from Wayamba in the Northern Region. Haruna Iddrisu is a Muslim.
9. Minister of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry – Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare
Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare is a lawyer, international relations expert, business executive, and politician with two decades of experience in legal practice and advocacy.
She has served at a strategic level on several boards, driving performance in multi-million-dollar companies.
As Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, she led initiatives to promote Ghana as a prime tourism destination and fostered collaborations with the creative arts industries.
10. Minister of Lands and Natural Resources – Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah
Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah is the Member of Parliament of Ellembelle Constituency in the Western Region.
He served as the Minister of Energy and Petroleum from 2013 to 2016. Armah-Kofi Buah, who is a Christian, hails from Atuabo and was born on May 10, 1966.
Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah holds a law degree from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and a Master of Science degree in Management from the University of Maryland, University College in the United States.
11. Minister of Food and Agriculture – Eric Opoku
Eric Opoku is a seasoned politician with expertise in law, agriculture, and leadership. With over 12 years of parliamentary experience, he has risen from the backbenches to become the Ranking Member on the Food, Agriculture, and Cocoa Affairs Committee.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Law from KNUST and an LLM (Distinction) in International Business Law from the University of Essex, UK. He has also earned certifications in International Legislative Drafting and Fisheries Management from the United States.
12. Minister of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation – Samuel Nartey George
Sam George is the Member of Parliament of the Ningo-Prampram Constituency. He has represented the constituency since 2017.
He holds a B.Sc. in Agricultural Engineering from KNUST, an L.L.B from the University of London, an M.Sc in International Strategy and Diplomacy, and an Executive Masters from the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping and Training Centre.
Sam George was the Assistant Director at the Office of the Head of Civil Service from 2010 to 2014 and a Communications Specialist at the Office of the President from 2014 to 2016.
He is a Christian and hails from Old Ningo. Sam George was born on January 22, 1985.
13. Minister of Roads and Highways – Kwame Governs Agbodza
Kwame Governs Agbodza is a Ghanaian architect and politician with extensive experience in architectural design and project management. A chartered architect, he earned his qualifications from KNUST, Westminster University, and East London University.
As Principal Consultant at Kay + Partners Ltd., he has managed major projects in healthcare, education, and residential development across Ghana and the UK.
Since 2013, he has been the Member of Parliament of Adaklu, rising through parliamentary ranks as Deputy Ranking Member, Ranking Member, Minority Chief Whip, and now Majority Chief Whip of the 9th Parliament. He is a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Ghana Institute of Architects.
14. Minister of Environment, Science, and Technology – Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed
Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed is the Member of Parliament of Tamale Central. He previously represented the constituency in the 6th and the 8th Parliaments.
He served as a Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry under the previous government of Mahama.
He holds a Bachelor’s from the University of Ghana, a Master’s from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, an LLB from Mount Crest, and a PhD from the University of Ghana.
Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, who is a Muslim, was born on December 14, 1974, and hails from Tamale.
15. Minister of Works, Housing, and Water Resources – Adjei Kenneth Gilbert
Adjei Kenneth Gilbert served as a Deputy Minister of Defence during the first tenure of President John Dramani Mahama.
He holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Marketing and an MBA from GIMPA and the University of Ghana, respectively.
He was the Program Director of the Lordina Foundation. He also previously served as a member of the Board of the National Lottery Authority.
Adjei Kenneth Gilbert hails from Trede in the Ashanti Region.
16. Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs – Ahmed Ibrahim
Ahmed Ibrahim is a Ghanaian politician and public servant. He holds an MBA in Finance from GIMPA and a BA in Political Science and Philosophy from the University of Ghana.
Since 2009, he has served as a Member of Parliament, representing Tain and later Banda constituencies, and has held leadership roles such as Deputy Majority and Minority Whip.
A former CEO of Flamingo Publications Ghana Ltd., Ahmed has participated in international workshops on parliamentary governance and telecommunications.
17. Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection – Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey
Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey is a seasoned legislator and development expert with over 20 years of experience managing projects in governance, health, education, and women’s rights. As the Member of Parliament of Krowor Constituency, she serves on key parliamentary committees, shaping national policy and advancing gender and community-focused initiatives.
With a PhD in African Studies, Dr Lartey has held leadership roles such as General Secretary of the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG) and Executive Director of the Global Initiative on Rights & Development (GIRD), demonstrating expertise in leadership, advocacy, and grassroots empowerment.
18. Minister of Transport – Joseph Bukari Nipke
Joseph Bukari Nipke is currently the Member of Parliament of Saboba in the Northern Region. He also represented the constituency in the 5th, 6th, and 8th Parliaments.
The minister, who hails from Saboba, was born on October 3, 1969, and is a Christian.
He holds a Master of Arts in Gender, Peace, and Security from the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre and GIMPA, a Bachelor of Education in Technical Education, and a Certificate in Education from the University of Education Winneba.
19. Minister for Labour, Jobs, and Employment – Dr Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo
Dr Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo is the Member of Parliament of the Wa Constituency in the Upper West Region. He has represented the constituency in Parliament since 2005.
He has also held several ministerial positions in NDC governments, including Minister of State at the Office of the President in charge of Private Sector Development and Public Private Partnership (PPP) and Minister of Youth and Sports.
Dr Pelpuo holds a PhD from the University of Ghana, an MA from the University of Ghana, a B.Ed as well as a diploma from the University of Cape Coast.
He was born on May 5, 2025, and is a Muslim. He hails from Wa.
Cabinet Secretary
Aside from the 19 ministers who would be joining President Mahama and Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the constitution mandates the president to appoint a Cabinet Secretary.
Accordingly, Mahama appointed Prof Kwaku Danso-Boafo as Cabinet Secretary.
Professor Kwaku Danso-Boafo was the Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Manifesto Committee for the 2020 and 2024 elections.
He previously served as Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Ireland from 2009 to 2014. He has also served as Ghana’s Ambassador to Cuba with concurrent accreditation to Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Nicaragua, and Panama. He also served as the Minister of Health from January 2000 to February 2001.
Prof Danso-Boafo was an Associate Professor, Deputy Director, and Coordinator of the International Health Track in the Master of Public Health Programme, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
He also taught at Atlanta University, later Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia.
BAI/AE
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