Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Prof. Ransford Gyampo
Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Prof. Ransford Gyampo has revealed what he contends to be reason behind President Akufo-Addo decision to exclude the National Minister, Albert Kan-Dapaah in his cabinet.
The list of the 19-member cabinet was released on Thursday, June 11, 2021 with Kan-Dapaah among the major omissions.
Speaking on Neat FM, Professor Gyampo said he was taken aback initially over the development but after was calmed after his checks revealed that the National Security Ministry has never been part of cabinet
He said, “I was worried when I didn’t find his name in the list” – but “cross-checking, the National Security Minister has never been a cabinet member but attend cabinet meetings.”
He explained that, “Previously, there was no ministry for National Security, we had national security Adviser to the President until this current President set up a whole ministry for it.”
“Even though he is not part of the cabinet, he is always available for cabinet meetings,” he told NEAT FM’s morning show ‘Ghana Montie’.
Below is a list of the President Akufo-Addo’s cabinet ministers
Mr Ken Ofori-Atta – Minister of Finance
Mr Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen – Minister of Trade and Industry
Mr Dominic Nitiwul – Minister of Defence
Mr Ambrose Dery – Minister for the Interior
Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey – Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Mr Godfred Yeboah Dame – Attorney General and Minister of Justice
Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto – Minister of Food and Agriculture
Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh – Minister of Energy
Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum – Minister of Education
Mr Kwaku Agyeman Manu – Minister of Health
Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu – Minister of Parlamentary Affairs
Mr Dan Botwe – Minister of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development
Mr Samuel Abdulai Jinapor – Minister of Lands and Natural Resources
Ms Cecilia Abena Dapaah – Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources
Mr John-Peter Amewu – Minister of Railways Development
Mr Ignatius Baffour Awuah – Minister of Employment and Labour Relations
Ms Mavis Hawa Koomsn – Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development
Mr Ibrahim Awal Mohammed – Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture
Mr Francis Asenso-Boakye – Minister of Works and Housing
The President, per the 1992 Constitution, can constitute a cabinet of not less than 10 and not more than 19 ministers and also appoint a Secretary.
The President and the Vice-president are also part of the cabinet which by law the President will chair the cabinet meeting
The vice-president takes up that responsibility in the president’s absence.