Parliament has officially approved the composition of its Appointments Committee, a crucial body tasked with vetting and recommending nominees for ministerial and other top government positions under President John Dramani Mahama's new administration.

The Committee will be chaired by the First Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, with Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah serving as Vice Chairperson. Notable appointments include Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader, as the Ranking Member, and Patricia Appiagyei as the Deputy Ranking Member.

This powerful committee plays a pivotal role in ensuring that nominees put forward by the President for key positions—such as Ministers of State and their Deputies—are thoroughly scrutinised before receiving parliamentary approval. Their work is guided by provisions in the Constitution and other relevant legislation.

Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, Majority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson highlighted the significance of the committee’s composition.

“The committee respectfully recommends to the house to adopt this report and approve the membership of the Appointments and Business Committees as composed, based on the ratio of 183 to 88,” he stated.

With this approval, Parliament has set the stage for rigorous vetting of nominees, ensuring transparency and accountability in the appointment process. The committee’s work will be instrumental in shaping the leadership team to execute President Mahama’s vision in his new term.

President Mahama is yet to provide his 60 ministerial appointees who will be vetted by the committee to steer the affairs of the various sectors of the economy.

He has, however, announced seven key appointments to the Office of the President which took effect on January 7, 2025, after his inauguration.

The newly appointed officials are as follows:

Julius Debrah - Chief of Staff

Dr. Callistus Mahama - Executive Secretary to the President

Prosper Douglas Bani - Head of Interim Security Taskforce

Dr. Valerie Sawyerr - Senior Presidential Advisor, Governmental Affairs

Augustus Goosie Tannoh - Presidential Advisor Responsible for 24-hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development

Marietta Agyeiwaa Brew - Legal Counsel to the President of Ghana

Hon. Felix Kwakye Ofosu - Acting Spokesperson to the President

These appointments are aimed at enhancing governance efficiency and promoting economic transformation under the new administration.