President John Dramani Mahama has sworn in the first batch of six ministers in his administration, with a firm call to uphold humility, transparency, and fairness in their service to the nation.
The ceremony, held at the Jubilee House, saw Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister of Finance; Mr. John Abu Jinapor, Minister of Energy and Green Transition; Dr. Dominic Akurutinga Ayine, Attorney General and Minister of Justice; Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Education; Mr. Eric Opoku, Minister of Food and Agriculture; and Mr. Governs Kwame Agbodza, Minister of Roads and Highways, taking their oaths of allegiance, office, and secrecy.
Serve with humility and candour
Addressing the ministers, President Mahama reminded them that their authority stems from the people and urged them to serve with dignity and humility.
“This government will not tolerate arrogance or disrespect for the people who elected us into office,” he emphasized. “Modesty and prudence must guide our governance, and we must work to meet the aspirations of Ghanaians.”
He further urged the ministers to be tolerant of public demands and stressed that the government must deliver on its promises to maintain public trust.
A call for accountability and results
President Mahama set clear expectations for each minister, highlighting the pressing challenges their respective sectors face:
Finance Minister – Dr. Ato Forson
The President tasked Dr. Forson with stabilizing the economy, reducing inflation, managing the national debt, and controlling the fiscal deficit to achieve macroeconomic stability.
Energy Minister – Mr. John Abu Jinapor
Mr. Jinapor was directed to ensure stable power supply, accelerate progress in the petroleum sector, and address the energy sector debt burden.
Agriculture Minister – Mr. Eric Opoku
Food security, affordability, and availability were key priorities assigned to Mr. Opoku, reflecting the critical importance of agriculture to Ghana’s economy.
Roads and Highways Minister – Mr. Governs Kwame Agbodza
Acknowledging widespread public concern about road conditions, the President charged Mr. Agbodza with maintaining existing roads and constructing new ones to facilitate transportation and economic growth.
Education Minister – Mr. Haruna Iddrisu
Mr. Iddrisu was tasked with ensuring quality education and equipping the youth with employable skills. His first assignment is to lead the National Review Conference on Education.
Attorney General – Dr. Dominic Ayine
The President outlined a transformative agenda for the justice sector, including constitutional amendments and reforms to ensure fairness and accountability. Dr. Ayine was also tasked with pursuing individuals who have misappropriated national resources.
Commitment to Service
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Dr. Forson expressed gratitude to the President and pledged their commitment to serving the nation with excellence.
“We assure you that we will serve in a way that makes you the best President in the Fourth Republic,” Dr. Forson said.
The ceremony was attended by Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, underscoring the administration’s commitment to collaborative governance.
Looking ahead
As the newly sworn-in ministers take up their responsibilities, all eyes are on the Mahama administration to deliver results and address the pressing concerns of the Ghanaian people.
The President’s caution against arrogance serves as a timely reminder of the expectations and accountability that come with public office.
