The President, John Dramani Mahama, has announced his first batch of ministerial appointments, nominating three persons to the ministries of Finance, Energy and Attorney General and Justice.
The Majority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has been named as the Minister-designate for Finance, John Abdulai Jinapor nominated as Minister-designate for Energy and Dr. Dominic AkuruntingaAyine appointed as Attorney General and Minister for Justice-designate.
The nomination of these three leaves a total of 57 ministers yet to be appointed since the President promised during the campaign to appoint not more than 60 ministers.
On Thursday, January 9, 2025 during the second sitting of the first meeting of the first session of the ninth parliament of the fourth Republic, the Speaker, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, read the letter from the President, informing Parliament of the nominations.
The letter, dated January 9, 2025 signed by the Secretary to the President, Callistus Mahama, submitted the names and curriculum vitae of the three nominees to Parliament for consideration and approval, in accordance with Article 78(1) of the 1992 constitution.
He said, “Honourable Members, I have received on your behalf a message from the Office of the President dated 9th January 2025. And it reads, Right Honourable Speaker, Nomination of Ministers for Parliamentary Approval.”
Speaker Bagbin continued that, “In accordance with Article 78.1 of the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana 1992, I hereby, on behalf of His Excellency John Mahama, submit for consideration and approval of Parliament the following nominees for ministerial appointments:
Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, MP, Minister-designate, Ministry of Finance; John Abdulai Jinapor, MP, Minister-designate, Ministry of Energy; Dr. Dominic AkuritingaAyine, MP, Minister-designate, Attorney General and Ministry of Justice.”
Attached to the letter were the nominees’ credentials and records of service, which the letter stated demonstrate their competencies to support the government’s agenda and serve the people of Ghana effectively.
“I trust that Parliament will expedite the approval process in accordance with constitutional requirements. Signed, Callistus Mahama P.A.D., Secretary to the President,” Speaker Bagbin read.
The Speaker referred the nominees to the newly constituted Appointments Committee for consideration and report to the House. Following the report of the Committee, the Plenary would take a decision on the Committee’s recommendation.
PROFILES
Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson
Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the MP for Ajumaku-Enyan-Essiam, is an economist, chartered accountant, and tax practitioner with extensive experience in public finance, macroeconomics, fiscal policy, tax policy, and business management.
A five-term lawmaker, Dr. Forson holds a PhD in Finance from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and Master of Science degrees in Taxation and Economics from the University of Oxford and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, respectively.
The Minority Leader for the 8th Parliament, Ato Forson, who was a deputy minister for finance under the first term of John Mahama, also holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from London South Bank University.
John Abdulai Jinapor
John Abdulai Jinapor, three-term MP for Yapei-Kusawgu, brings a wealth of hands-on experience, competence, and know-how to the energy portfolio.
He served as deputy minister for energy in the first term of John Mahama. The government says it expects Jinapor, who was critical about the shortfalls of the Akufo-Addo administration in the energy sector, to bring much-needed dynamism and capabilities to transform the energy sector.
He holds a Master of Arts Degree (MA) in Economic Policy Management, an MBA in Marketing, and a Master of Science (MSc) in Development Finance from the University of Ghana.
He also holds a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Energy Economics from GIMPA and a Postgraduate Diploma in Finance and Financial Law from the University of London.
Dr. Dominic AkuritingaAyine
The four-term MP for Bolgatanga East, Dr. Dominic AkuritingaAyine, is a senior lawyer with three decades of experience in practice.
He previously served as Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice and is the founding partner of Ayini & Partners Law Offices.
He holds a Ph.D. in law from Stanford University, a Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of Michigan Law School and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Ghana. He has also lectured at the University of Ghana Law School for many years.
Meanwhile, the Minority Caucus has promised the Majority that they would put their shoulders to the wheel at the Appointments Committee to properly vet the nominees. The Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, informed the nominees to attend the vetting “prepared,” because “it is not going to be business as usual.”
