Haruna Iddrisu appointed as minister of defense – List of Mahama’s ministers
Unless there are any sudden adjustments, MyNewsGh.com has uniquely secured information regarding potential cabinet positions for President John Dramani Mahama after the announcement of an initial set of appointments.
In this first set, President Mahama has put forth Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson as the candidate for Finance Minister, along with John Abdulai Jinapor and Dominic Akuritinga Ayine suggested for the roles of Ministers for Energy and Attorney General, respectively.
Sources indicate that the notable list also features the prominent former Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, who is poised to take on the Ministry of Defence after outpacing Prof. Joshua Alabi, who was rumored to seek the same role.
Additionally, President Mahama intends to reinstate Nana Oye Bampoe-Addo to the position of Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, while Dr. Victor Bampoe, a low-profile former Deputy Minister of Health, may rise to the Health Minister role, unless there are any last-minute alterations.
In a similar vein, the well-known and engaging Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, is anticipated to move up from his previous role as Deputy Education Minister from Mahama’s last tenure to a full ministerial position, even though he had shown considerable interest in the foreign minister role.
Support for his appointment as education minister stems from his strong anti-corruption stance, which is seen as crucial to addressing potential corruption tied to the School Feeding Program, internet services for secondary schools, and food procurement under the Free SHS initiative.
John Mahama reportedly has significant confidence in the four-term MP’s capability to restore order to the educational sector.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration is expected to be entrusted to Joyce Bawah Mogtari, a lawyer with over 24 years of experience in the Ghana Bar, who previously served as a Deputy Minister of Transport during Mahama’s initial term and now acts as a special assistant to the president.
Similar to Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, who acted as an aide to Akufo-Addo for several years, Joyce Bawa Mogtari is considered one of the president’s most trusted associates, making her a reliable choice for handling foreign affairs.
Furthermore, insiders linked to the party and the President’s Office have informed this portal that Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, a former Minister of Communications and a trusted friend of Mahama, has been identified for the important position of Minister for Local Government and Rural Development.
This position is thought to be connected to the upcoming 2028 elections, given Dr. Omane Boamah’s pivotal role in securing victories for the 2024 election.
Dr. Boamah is recognized for his proficiency in governance and community involvement, which positions him well for leading Mahama’s decentralization initiatives.
For the agricultural realm, a vital component of Ghana’s economic landscape, John Mahama is inclined to appoint Eric Opoku, the former Minister for the Brong Ahafo Region. Over the past eight years, this MP has held the position of Ranking Member on the Parliament’s Food and Agriculture Committee.
MyNewsGh.com has also acquired a list of candidates under consideration for deputy ministerial roles and 16 regional minister positions, though this list remains incomplete as further discussions and verifications are still in progress.
