President John Dramani Mahama has urged Parliament to expedite the vetting process for his 13 newly nominated deputy ministers to enable them to assist their substantive ministers in executing government business effectively.
Speaking at the swearing-in of 17 ministers at the Jubilee House, he revealed that four more deputy ministers will be nominated in the coming days, bringing his government’s total ministerial appointments to 60.
“So far, we have sworn in a total of 42 ministers. I have nominated 13 more who are yet to be vetted. I expect Parliament to expedite the vetting of the 13 nominees… In the coming days, I will nominate four more to make up the sixty,” Mahama stated.
The list of deputy minister nominees includes Samson Ahi (Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry), Clement Abas Apaak (Education), Gizella Tettey-Agbotui (Works, Housing, and Water Resources), and actor-turned-politician John Kofi Setor Dumelo (Food and Agriculture).
Other notable nominees are Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini (Roads and Highways), Justice Srem-Sai (Attorney General), and Rita Naa Odoley Sowah (Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs).
Meanwhile, the newly sworn-in substantive ministers include Communications Minister Sam George, Sports Minister Kofi Adams, and Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, among others.
President Mahama also emphasized fiscal discipline, instructing his appointees to be modest in their expenditures.
“The hallmark of this government will be modesty. I expect the best from all of you,” he said.
He further imposed restrictions on government travel, directing that all trips must be approved by the Chief of Staff and banning first-class travel for officials.
“Any travel must be cleared with the Chief of Staff. Such trips, if approved, must be done in modesty—no first class,” he warned.
