Information Minister, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah has been named the Works and Housing Minister in the latest reshuffle of government appointees under the Akufo-Addo administration.
This was contained in the statement released today, February 14, 2024, by the Presidency.
Oppong-Nkrumah if vetted and approved by Parliament will succeed MP for Bantama, Francis Asenso Boakye, who also has been moved from his outfit to the Roads and Highways Ministry.
President Akufo-Addo has further unveiled significant changes to his ministerial team in a major cabinet reshuffle, responding to growing calls for a shake-up.
A document issued by the Communications Directorate of the Jubilee House has revealed that the President “has relieved the following
Ministers and Deputy Ministers of their portfolios in government, with immediate effect.”
The Valentine’s Day ministerial shake-up sees the removal of the controversial Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, who has faced criticism from his party’s MPs, according to sources close to the presidency.
It is unclear why the President has made this decision but ministers who lost their parliamentary seats during the party’s primaries or did not contest in their constituencies have been replaced with new hands, primarily MPs.
This surprising decision, especially regarding Ofori-Atta’s prominent role in the government, has raised eyebrows among political observers.
Reported Key Appointments in the Reshuffle:
- Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover – New Greater Accra Regional Minister:
- Titus-Glover replaces Henry Quartey, bringing extensive experience to bolster regional development efforts in the capital.
- Dr. Mohammed Adam Amin Anta – Minister of Finance Designate:
- Dr. Adam Amin Anta, MP for Karaga, and Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, takes over from Ken Ofori-Atta. His technocratic background signals the government’s commitment to economic stability amid ongoing International Monetary Fund (IMF) discussions.
- Lydia Alhassan – New Sanitation and Water Resources Minister:
- Lydia Alhassan, MP for Ayawaso West Wuogon, replaces Freda Prempeh. This move follows Prempeh’s loss in the parliamentary primary to Dr. Gideon Buoko.
- Andrew Agyepa Mercer – Minister of Tourism:
- Mercer, currently the Deputy Minister of Energy and MP for Sekondi, is appointed as the Minister of Tourism. This strategic move aims to boost the tourism sector and attract more visitors to the country.
- Henry Quartey – Interior Minister Designate:
- Henry Quartey, a respected figure in the government, is appointed as the Interior Minister Designate. His previous role as deputy at the same ministry adds to his suitability for maintaining internal security and safeguarding the nation’s borders.
- Ophelia Hayford Mensah – Minister for Environment Science, Technology, and Innovation:
- Ophelia Hayford Mensah, MP for Mfantesman, replaces Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, bringing her expertise and passion for environmental conservation to address climate change and implement green initiatives.
- Other Appointments:
- Ms. Fatimatu Abubakar becomes the substantive Information Minister.
- Kojo Oppong Nkrumah moves to Works and Housing.
- Francis Asenso Boakye takes over from Kwasi Amoako-Attah as Roads and Highways Minister.
- Deputy Ministers:
- Abdul-Aziz Musah Ayaba (Deputy Minister).
- Prince Hamid Armah (Deputy Minister).
- Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie (Deputy Minister).
- Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah, among others.
This cabinet reshuffle is expected to generate both excitement and anticipation among Ghanaians as they await the implementation of new policies and initiatives under the reconfigured cabinet.