GHANA : RESHUFFLE
In a significant restructuring of the Ghanaian government, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, Road Minister Kwame Amoako-Atta, and Health Minister Kwaku Agyemang Manu have been relieved of their duties.
The reshuffle also sees Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah reassigned to the Housing Ministry, with his deputy, Fatimatu Abubakar, stepping into the role of substantive Minister. Furthermore, Interior Minister Ambrose Dery has been reassigned as Minister of State at the office of the President.
This sweeping change impacts approximately 13 ministers of state, including 10 cabinet ministers and two regional ministers. A press release from the presidency on Wednesday, February 14, provided detailed information about the government's reorganization.
President Akufo-Addo has faced mounting pressure to dismiss Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, with some Majority MPs joining the call. Despite previous defenses of Ofori-Atta's performance, citing excellence and lack of culpability for economic challenges, the President faced increased pressure after 98 NPP MPs threatened to boycott budget presentations and Finance Ministry-related business unless the Finance Minister was removed immediately. The President urged patience until Ghana concludes negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Similar demands for the resignation of Health Minister Kwaku Agyeman Manu arose following revelations in a parliamentary committee report on the Sputnik V vaccine contract. Despite this pressure, President Akufo-Addo praised Agyeman Manu's contributions to the government and the health sector during a speech at a durbar of chiefs in the Bono Region.