President Mahama Submits 10 Regional Minister Nominees to Parliament for Approval.
Former President and current National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, has nominated 10 individuals for consideration by Parliament as regional ministers. The list of nominees has been officially forwarded to the Speaker of Parliament for the necessary vetting and approval processes.
The nominations cover 10 out of the 16 regions in Ghana: Oti, Volta, Eastern, Northern, North East, Upper East, Ashanti, Ahafo, Savannah, and Greater Accra. However, nominees for the remaining six regions—Western, Western North, Central, Bono East, Bono, and Upper West—are yet to be announced.
The 10 Regional Minister Nominees:
1. Mrs. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey – Eastern Region
2. Ibrahim Tia – North East Region
3. Dr. Frank Amoakohene – Ashanti Region
4. Akamugri Donatus Atanga – Upper East Region
5. Charity Gardner – Ahafo Region
6. Salisu Bia – Savannah Region
7. Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo – Greater Accra Region
8. Adolf John – Northern Region
9. John Kwadwo Gyapong – Oti Region
10. James Gunu – Volta Region
Key Highlights:
• Most of the nominees are regional executives of the NDC, with the exception of Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, the Greater Accra nominee, who is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Shai Osudoku.
• The nomination of Mrs. Ocloo stands out as she is not a regional executive, unlike the other nominees.
• The inclusion of diverse professionals such as Dr. Frank Amoakohene (Ashanti Region) and Akamugri Donatus Atanga (Upper East Region) reflects a mix of political and professional leadership.
What Lies Ahead:
The next step in the process involves vetting by Parliament to confirm the nominees’ eligibility and suitability for their respective roles. Once approved, the regional ministers will be tasked with driving development and ensuring good governance in their regions, aligning with the NDC’s vision for decentralization and regional empowerment.
Outstanding Regions:
Six regions—Western, Western North, Central, Bono East, Bono, and Upper West—are yet to have their nominees announced. It is expected that President Mahama will soon finalize and submit names for these regions to complete his list of regional ministerial appointments.
Conclusion:
The nominations by President Mahama represent a significant step in preparing his team for regional administration and governance. As Parliament begins its vetting process, all eyes will be on the appointees to ensure they meet the expectations of their regions and the nation at large.
This development demonstrates President Mahama’s commitment to assembling a competent team to champion regional development and deliver on the promises of the NDC.