President Akufo-Addo has instructed the new ministers to promptly file their asset declarations.

He emphasized that their roles are for public service, not personal gain.

The president made these remarks at the Jubilee House during the swearing-in ceremony for the new ministers on Monday, May 20.

He highlighted the importance of integrity, stating, “Your contribution will not only be to the success of my government but also equally important to the success of our party, the NPP,  its excellent presidential candidate, Vice President Dr Mahamdu Bawumia, and its parliamentary candidates in the 2024 December elections. To this end, the quality of integrity which will permeate your work in these last few months  is extremely important

“We are called to these public appointments to provide public service not to appropriate personal gain. Do not in this regard fail to file your asset declaration promptly and remain above reproach in your public dealings, your conduct, my conduct, our collective conduct in the executive will determine to a large extent the fate and fortunes of our party in the NPP in this and succeeding decades.”

President Akufo-Addo expressed confidence in the new ministers, noting that despite having only seven months left in the administration, they have ample time to make a significant impact.

“You have joined the government at the last lap of its mandate, with seven months to go but I am confident that there is enough time for you to make a difference and significant contribution, Indeed anyone who has something to prove can make a point within a short period and I am sure you various competencies, experiences, and talents make this distinctly possible,” he said.

However, the president expressed surprise at the Minority's walkout during the consideration and approval of the new ministers.

He described their action as a “pity,” adding,“It was a pity that at the last moment, the Minority which has participated in all the prior processes found it necessary to walk out of parliament at the formal approval stage. we thank God that the walkout was not fatal to the vote of approval,” he said.

On Friday, May 17, the Minority in Parliament staged a boycott of the approval process for President Akufo-Addo’s new ministers. Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson questioned the urgency of the approval, given the existing large number of ministers and deputies in the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government.

As they walked out, some opposition lawmakers were heard saying, “Ghanaians are suffering.” Dr. Forson told the Majority side, “If you don’t care, we care.”

“May I ask, how is the approval of the President’s nominees for ministerial positions an urgent matter, when this Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government already has a large number of ministers and deputy ministers?” He asked.

The ministerial nominees are:

Health: Hon. Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye

Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation: Ophelia Mensah Hayford

Information: Ms. Fatimatu Abubakar

Gender, Children, and Social Protection: Dakoa Newman

Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development: Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah

Sanitation and Water Resources: Hon. Lydia Seyram Alhassan

Tourism, Arts, and Culture: Hon. Andrew Egyapa Mercer

Greater Accra Region: Hon. Titus Glover

Oti Region: Mr. Daniel Machator

The deputy ministerial nominees are:

Information: Sylvester Tetteh, MP

Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development: Vincent Ekow Assafuah

Communications and Digitalisation: Hon. Charles Acheampong

Health: Adelaide Ntim, MP, and Alexander Akwasi Acquah

Works and Housing: Hon. Dr. Prince Hamidu Armah

Lands and Natural Resources: Akwasi Konadu

Fisheries and Aquaculture Development: Hon. Musah Abdul Aziz Ayaba

Energy: John Kobina Sanie and Collins Adomako Mensah

Education: Kingsley Nyarko

Employment and Labour Relations: Hon. Festus Awuah Kwofie

Gender, Children, and Social Protection: Hon. Benjamin Sekyere Yeboah

The ceremony began with a moment of silence in memory of Kwasi Atta, a driver who tragically lost his life in a recent accident at Bunso Junction.

Minority stages walkout on approval of ministers.#3NewsGH pic.twitter.com/atzBSXTgQV— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) May 17, 2024