Ghana has experienced multiple political families that have significantly influenced the ruling administrations throughout its history.
The Ahwoi brothers, Kwesi and Kwamena Ahwoi, have notably impacted the governance under the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) from the 1980s until the early 2000s.
Kwesi Ahwoi took charge as the Minister for Interior as well as the Minister for Food and Agriculture, while Kwamena Ahwoi held various roles including the Minister of Planning and Regional Economic Integration, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Minister of Local Government and Rural Development.
In addition, the Kufuor brothers, John Agyekum Kufuor and Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor, have also played important roles in the political arena. John Agyekum Kufuor was a Member of Parliament, a Deputy Minister, a Minister, and ultimately ascended to the presidency of Ghana.
Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor, his brother, served as the Member of Parliament for Manhyia along with holding the positions of Minister of the Interior and Minister of Defence.
In more recent times, the Jinapor brothers, Samuel Abu Jinapor and John Jinapor, have established their presence in both the NDC and NPP political spheres.
Samuel, affiliated with the NPP, has represented Damongo as a Member of Parliament since 2020 and has had roles such as Deputy Chief of Staff and Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, along with various acting ministerial responsibilities under the NPP.
His sibling, John Jinapor, who is part of the NDC, serves as the Member of Parliament for Yapei-Kusawgu and is currently Ghana’s Minister of Energy and Green Transition, having previously held the role of Deputy Minister of Energy.
From these illustrations, it is evident that political families within Ghana have largely been spearheaded by groups of male siblings.
However, it is worth noting that Ghana has its own prominent female political family, the Tetteh sisters: Hannah Serwaa Tetteh, Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui, and Gabriella Tetteh.
All three sisters are affiliated with the NDC and are leaving their imprint on Ghana’s political scene akin to their male peers.
Introducing the Tetteh Sisters
Hannah Serwaa Tetteh
Hannah Tetteh previously represented the Awutu Senya West Constituency as a Member of Parliament in the Central Region.
From 2009 until 2013, she was a part of Ghana’s cabinet as the Minister of Trade and Industry, and from 2013 to 2017, she held the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs.
At present, she serves as the United Nations Special Envoy for Libya and has occupied various significant roles within the UN, including Under-Secretary-General.
An esteemed diplomat on the global stage, Hannah Tetteh earned her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from the University of Ghana. She furthered her studies at the Ghana School of Law, where she qualified as a Barrister-at-Law.
Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui
Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui serves as the Deputy Minister for Works, Housing, and Water Resources in Ghana.
Since 2021, she has represented the Awutu Senya West Constituency as a Member of Parliament.
She was born on November 30, 1970, in Awutu Obrachire and practices Christianity.
Gizella has obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Design along with a Postgraduate Diploma from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.
In addition, she completed an MBA at the University of Ghana Business School and is recognized as an Associate Member of the Ghana Institute of Architects (AGIA).
Prior to her political career, she held the position of Chief Executive Officer at Zella Architects.
Gabriella Tetteh.
Gabriella Tetteh, the youngest among the trio of sisters, holds the position of Communications Officer for the NDC in the Central Region.
Prior to taking on this responsibility, she played an active role in the communications team of the NDC for the Awutu Senya West Constituency.
