The second batch of President John Dramani Mahama’s ministers have been sworn in following their unanimous approval by Parliament.
They are Abla Dzifa Gomashie, MP, Ketu South, Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts; George Opare Addo, Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment; and Emelia Arthur, MP, Shama; Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development.
The rest are Ahmed Ibrahim, MP, Banda and Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs; and Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, MP, Techiman North, Minister for Trade, Industry, and Agribusiness.
It brings to 11 ministers who have taken office thus far following the swearing in of six earlier last week.
Swearing the latest batch of ministers into office at the Jubilee House in Accra on Friday, President Mahama said serving in his government would not be business as usual; charging them to act quickly in bringing relief to the people.
“It will not be business as usual. The people demand quick action after enduring bad governance over the last eight years. All of you have enormous challenge to surmount in your respective sectors,” the President charged.
To this end, he said “Ghanaians have signalled zero tolerance for poor governance,” as he cautioned them to be diligent in their new portfolios noting that there would be no place for disrespect of the people who gave them the mandate.
He expressed his confidence in the abilities of the appointees to “get the job done and achieve measurable results that will turn the situation around and free the citizens from the clutches of poverty and suffering.
“All eyes will be on you and I heavily believe that you will rise to the occasion.”
According to President Mahama, the need for gender, regional balance and fairness, as stipulated by the 1992 Constitution, were his guiding principle in constituting his government with every region represented; dismissing early criticisms of neglect of women in his administration.
“As at the beginning of (last) week, we have attained 27 per cent women participation in government with 20 out of the 75 per cent appointees to ministries, agencies, the presidency and committees being women.
“There is only three per cent short of the 30 per cent we promised during the electioneering campaign and as stated in the Affirmative Action Act,” he said assuring that the three per cent would be taken into consideration in later appointments.
On behalf of the ministers, Ahmed Ibrahim expressed their gratitude to President Mahama for the confidence entrusted in them.
Mr Ibrahim assured that they would work assiduously to bring to fruition the President’s agenda to reset Ghana and bring relief to the people.
BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI
