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Mahama erasing traces of previous govt at helm of affairs to reset Ghana
Mahama erasing traces of previous govt at helm of affairs to reset Ghana
By: Nii Ammui Fio | 3 mins read
Days after his swearing-in as Ghana’s 6th President on January 7, 2025, following the 2024 presidential elections, President John Dramani Mahama has initiated sweeping leadership changes aimed at resetting the country and erasing traces of the previous administration.
President Mahama has revoked the appointments of all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) appointed by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
This decision, announced on January 8, 2025, and taking immediate effect, aligns with his administration’s vision for decentralisation and development in accordance with the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), as amended by the Local Governance (Amendment) Act, 2017 (Act 940).
A letter signed by Dr. Callistus Mahama, Executive Secretary to the President, indicated that the Chief Director of the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development had been formally notified of the changes. As part of the transition, Coordinating Directors in each Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assembly (MMDA) will serve as acting chief executives until new appointments are made.
On January 13, the Office of the President also officially announced the cessation of board memberships for statutory boards, corporations, commissions, and councils appointed under the Akufo-Addo administration. The directive, in line with the Presidential (Transition) Act, 2012 (Act 845), was confirmed by Acting Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu.
“All individuals who were appointed to serve on these boards, commissions and councils by the former President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo or a former Minister of State ceased to hold office as of January 7, 2025 – the date of President Mahama’s swearing-in,” the notice clarified.
The statement further emphasised that the reconstitution of the affected boards, commissions, councils, and statutory corporations would occur in due course, in accordance with their respective enabling laws.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this excludes commissions that are independent constitutional creations,” the statement clarified.
President Mahama expressed gratitude to the outgoing board members for their dedication and service to the nation, wishing them well in their future endeavors. The notice also instructed management of the affected statutory bodies to seek clearance from the Chief of Staff before making any further decisions pending board reconstitution.
Additionally, President Mahama has announced a significant restructuring of ministries, reducing their number from 30 to 23 in a bid to streamline governance and enhance efficiency. This decision, formalized on January 9, 2025, through an Executive Instrument, is in accordance with Section 11(3) of the Civil Service Act, 1993 (P.N.D.C.L. 327).
The restructured ministries now include: Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Health; Ministry of the Interior; Ministry of Defence; Ministry of Education; Ministry of Energy and Green Transition; Ministry of Transport; Ministry of Sports and Recreation; Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice; Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources; Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations.
Others are the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology; Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment; Ministry of Works, Housing, and Water Resources; Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection; Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts; Ministry of Labour, Jobs, and Employment; Ministry of Food and Agriculture; Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture; and the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry.
This restructuring, part of the government's cost-cutting measures, has led to the merging of several ministries. The National Security Ministry, Public Enterprises Ministry, Parliamentary Affairs Ministry, Railway Development Ministry, and Ministry of Information have been dissolved. To effect the changes, the Civil Service (Ministries) Instrument, 2021 (E.I. 12) has been officially revoked.
