On Tuesday, President John Dramani Mahama nominated 17 more ministers for Parliament's consideration for appointment to his administration.

This new batch of nominees includes three regional ministers, bringing the total number of regional ministerial nominees to 16.

President Mahama has committed to running a streamlined government, aiming for not more than 60 ministers as promised during the electioneering campaign, despite numerous applications from prospective candidates.

With Tuesday’s announcement, the total number of his ministerial nominees stands at 42, including seven women and 24 Members of Parliament (MPs).

Under Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, a majority of ministerial appointments are required to come from Parliament.

Civil Service Restructuring: Ministries Reduced from 29 to 23

Two days after taking office on January 9, 2025, President Mahama implemented a restructuring of the government by reducing the number of ministries from 29 to 23.

This move, formalized through the Civil Service (Ministries) Instrument, 2025 (E.I. 1), is aimed at improving efficiency and streamlining the operations of the government. The new executive instrument also repealed the previous Civil Service (Ministries) Instrument, 2021 (E.I. 12).

In line with the restructuring, President Mahama introduced three new ministerial positions: Minister for Special Initiatives, Minister for Government Communications, and Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability.

As a result, several ministries were dissolved, including the Ministry of Information, National Security, Parliamentary Affairs, Railway Development, Sanitation and Water Resources, and Public Enterprises. Additionally, the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs was merged with Local Government.

New Ministerial Appointments

The new ministerial list includes the following key appointments:

• Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum (MP) – Minister of State for Special Initiatives
• Felix Kwakye Ofosu (MP) – Minister for Government Communications
• Issifu Seidu (MP) – Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability

Updated List of 42 Ministerial Nominees
Here are the full nominations as of now:

Third Batch of Nominations:

1. Dr. Edward Omane Boamah – Defence
2. Samuel Nartey George (MP) – Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations
3. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah (MP) – Lands and Natural Resources
4. Kofi Iddie Adams (MP) – Sports and Recreation
5. Abdul-Rashind H. Pelpuo (MP) – Labour, Jobs and Employment
6. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh (MP) – Health
7. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed (MP) – Environment, Science, and Technology
8. Joseph Bukari Nikpe (MP) – Transport
9. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak (MP) – Interior
10. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP) – Foreign Affairs
11. Adjei Kenneth Gilbert – Works, Housing, and Water Resources
12. Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum (MP) – Minister of State for Special Initiatives
13. Felix Kwakye Ofosu (MP) – Government Communications
14. Issifu Seidu (MP) – Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability

Second Batch of Nominations:
15. Kwame Governs Agbodza (MP) – Roads and Highways
16. Eric Opoku (MP) – Food and Agriculture
17. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey (MP) – Gender, Children, and Social Protection
18. Abla Dzifa Gomashie (MP) – Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts
19. Emelia Arthur (MP) – Fisheries and Aquaculture
20. George Opare-Addo – Youth and Empowerment
21. Haruna Iddrisu (MP) – Education
22. Ahmed Ibrahim (MP) – Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs
23. Elizabeth Ofosu Adjare (MP) – Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry

First Batch of Nominations:
24. Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson (MP) – Finance
25. John Abdulai Jinapor (MP) – Energy and Green Transition
26. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine (MP) – Attorney-General and Minister of Justice

Regional Ministers:
27. Puozuing Charles Lwanga – Upper West
28. Joseph Addae Akwaboa – Bono
29. Francis Owusu Antwi – Bono East
30. Wilbert Petty Brentum – Western North
31. Eduamoah Ekow Panyin Okyere – Central
32. Joseph Nelson – Western
33. Ali Adolf John – Northern
34. John Kwadwo Gyapong – Oti
35. James Gunu – Volta
36. Mrs. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey – Eastern
37. Ibrahim Tia – North East
38. Dr. Frank Amoakohene – Ashanti
39. Akamugri Donatus Atanga – Upper East
40. Charity Gardiner – Ahafo
41. Salisu Be-Awuribe – Savannah
42. Linda Ocloo (MP) – Greater Accra

Changes to Ministries

As part of the reorganization, a new Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment has been established, separating Youth from Sports. The Ministry of Sports has been renamed the Ministry of Sports and Recreation.

Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs has been incorporated into the Ministry of Local Government, creating the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs. Additionally, the Ministry of Energy has been renamed the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, while the Ministry of Communications has been updated to include Digital Technology and Innovations.