The Appointments Committee of Parliament will on Monday, January 13, 2025, begin vetting President John Dramani Mahama’s first set of ministerial nominees, as he takes steps to form his cabinet following his inauguration on January 7, 2025.

The nominations, submitted by the President on January 9, 2025, were in line with Article 78 of the 1992 Constitution, which requires prior Parliamentary approval for ministerial appointments.  

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, confirmed receipt of the nominees and referred them to the Appointments Committee for vetting.  

“I have received on your behalf a message from the Office of the President, dated January 9, 2025. Hon. members, I will accordingly refer the nominees to the Appointments Committee for consideration and report to the House, it’s so referred,” Speaker Bagbin announced.  

The Appointments Committee of Parliament includes members from both the Majority and Minority caucuses. It is chaired by Bernard Ahiafor, with Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah serving as Vice Chairman. Other members include Kwame Governs Agbodza, Mahama Ayariga, Alhasan Umar, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin as the Ranking Member, Patricia Appiagyei as the Deputy Ranking Member, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Shaibu Mahama, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, and Patrick Yaw Boamah.

The Committee reviews ministerial nominations and ensures that ministers nominated by the President are capable and suitable for their respective positions. It also recommends persons vetted to the House for approval or otherwise either by consensus or vote.

The nominees include:

1. Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson – Minister for Finance Designate  
2. Mr John Abdulai Jinapor – Minister for Energy Designate  
3. Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine – Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Designate  

Profiles of the nominees  

Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson – Minister for Finance Designate 

Dr Forson is an economist, chartered accountant, and tax practitioner with deep expertise in public finance, macroeconomics, and fiscal policy. A five-term Member of Parliament, he holds a PhD in Finance from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and Master’s degrees in Taxation and Economics from the University of Oxford and KNUST, respectively. His appointment is expected to drive fiscal reforms and strengthen Ghana’s financial management.  

Mr John Abdulai Jinapor – Minister for Energy Designate

Mr Jinapor brings a wealth of experience in energy economics and finance. Holding a Master’s degree in Energy Economics from GIMPA and qualifications in Economic Policy Management and Marketing from the University of Ghana, he is poised to provide leadership in resolving Ghana’s energy challenges.  

Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine – Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Designate

Dr Ayine is a seasoned legal expert with over 30 years of experience. A former Deputy Attorney-General, he holds a PhD in Law from Stanford University, an LLM from the University of Michigan Law School, and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Ghana. His return to the justice portfolio is expected to advance legal and judicial reforms.  

Former Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alfred Tuah-Yeboah, has clarified the controversy surrounding the granting of a presidential pardon by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo during the final days of his administration.

According to him, although the process for pardoning the 12 individuals was initiated, no pardon was granted as widely reported following the leak of a document issued by the Office of the President to the Council of State.

In an interview on JoyNews’ Newsfile programme, Tuah-Yeboah explained that the document in question was intended for the Council of State’s advice regarding the individuals the president wished to pardon.

He noted that members of the Council of State objected to granting pardons to all the individuals listed in the document.

“These individuals submitted petitions. Those petitions were vetted, and then, because the president couldn’t sit at the Jubilee House on his own to pardon people, he submitted a letter to the Council of State. The Council of State, on January 2, actually met the president as part of the consultation process. At the end of the consultation, it was decided that these individuals should not be pardoned.

“When news started circulating that the president had pardoned these individuals, the presidency issued a statement to clarify that no such decision had been taken by the president.

“The president consulted the Council of State, and at the end of the day, a decision was made not to pardon these individuals. Unfortunately, the letter forwarded to the Council of State was leaked. Instead of most people, including some media personnel, taking the time to review the letter, they concluded that the president had pardoned these individuals. However, that letter was clearly a request from the president to the Council of State as part of the consultation process. As of now, those individuals remain in prison,” he clarified.

The letter from the Office of the President indicated that President Akufo-Addo, in line with Article 72(1) of the 1992 Constitution, wished to exercise his prerogative of mercy for the 11 convicted individuals. Akufo-Addo, according to the letter, asked the Council to expeditiously consider the individuals listed to enable him to act accordingly.

Below are the individuals on the list:

1. Akwasi Alhassan

Convicted of murder and sentenced to death on March 19, 1993. He has spent 31 years in prison, with his sentence commuted to life imprisonment by presidential order.

2. Beatrice Ofori

Convicted of human trafficking on June 6, 2023, and sentenced to eight years with hard labour. The 64-year-old suffers from severe hypertension, leading to significant mobility challenges, and has spent much of her sentence in the prison infirmary.

3. Frank Obeng

Sentenced to 40 years for manslaughter, Obeng is serving his term in Nsawam Prison. His sentence has been reduced to 12 years following the presidential pardon.

4. Stephen Nyarko

Convicted of conspiracy to rob and robbery in December 2010, he was sentenced to 30 years. Having served 22 years, including time on remand, his pardon recognises

BAI/MA

Watch the moment John Mahama was sworn in as President

You can also watch how Sammy Gyamfi, Sosu attended John Mahama’s swearing-in ceremony

On January 7, 2025, Ghana inaugurated the Ninth Parliament of the Fourth Republic, ushering in a fresh cohort of lawmakers alongside seasoned legislators to chart the nation’s legislative course.

This historic event followed the December 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections, marking another chapter in Ghana’s democratic journey.

The 9th Parliament sees the inclusion of 115 first-term Members of Parliament (MPs), bringing fresh perspectives, ideas, and energy to the legislative process.

These new lawmakers join 156 continuing Members and four returning MPs, forming a dynamic assembly tasked with addressing the pressing challenges facing the nation.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) also emerged as the majority party in the 9th Parliament, holding 183 seats. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) occupies 88 seats, while four seats are held by independent MPs.

In terms of gender distribution, out of the 276 MPs, 40 are women, representing 14.5 percent of the House. The NDC has 30 female MPs, while the NPP has 10. Though these figures represent progress, they also highlight the need for further initiatives to achieve gender parity in Ghana’s political landscape.

With regards to regional representation, the Ashanti Region leads with 22 new MPs, followed by the Greater Accra and Eastern Regions, each having 15.

Other regions such as the Bono Region (7), Western Region (9), and Northern Region (8) also feature prominently.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (R) and William Ato Essien

Former Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alfred Tuah-Yeboah, has clarified the controversy surrounding the granting of a presidential pardon by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo during the final days of his administration.

According to him, although the process for pardoning the 12 individuals was initiated, no pardon was granted as widely reported following the leak of a document issued by the Office of the President to the Council of State.

In an interview on JoyNews’ Newsfile programme, Tuah-Yeboah explained that the document in question was intended for the Council of State’s advice regarding the individuals the president wished to pardon.

He noted that members of the Council of State objected to granting pardons to all the individuals listed in the document.

“These individuals submitted petitions. Those petitions were vetted, and then, because the president couldn’t sit at the Jubilee House on his own to pardon people, he submitted a letter to the Council of State. The Council of State, on January 2, actually met the president as part of the consultation process. At the end of the consultation, it was decided that these individuals should not be pardoned.

“When news started circulating that the president had pardoned these individuals, the presidency issued a statement to clarify that no such decision had been taken by the president.

“The president consulted the Council of State, and at the end of the day, a decision was made not to pardon these individuals. Unfortunately, the letter forwarded to the Council of State was leaked. Instead of most people, including some media personnel, taking the time to review the letter, they concluded that the president had pardoned these individuals. However, that letter was clearly a request from the president to the Council of State as part of the consultation process. As of now, those individuals remain in prison,” he clarified.

The letter from the Office of the President indicated that President Akufo-Addo, in line with Article 72(1) of the 1992 Constitution, wished to exercise his prerogative of mercy for the 11 convicted individuals. Akufo-Addo, according to the letter, asked the Council to expeditiously consider the individuals listed to enable him to act accordingly.

Below are the individuals on the list:

1. Akwasi Alhassan

Convicted of murder and sentenced to death on March 19, 1993. He has spent 31 years in prison, with his sentence commuted to life imprisonment by presidential order.

2. Beatrice Ofori

Convicted of human trafficking on June 6, 2023, and sentenced to eight years with hard labour. The 64-year-old suffers from severe hypertension, leading to significant mobility challenges, and has spent much of her sentence in the prison infirmary.

3. Frank Obeng

Sentenced to 40 years for manslaughter, Obeng is serving his term in Nsawam Prison. His sentence has been reduced to 12 years following the presidential pardon.

4. Stephen Nyarko

Convicted of conspiracy to rob and robbery in December 2010, he was sentenced to 30 years. Having served 22 years, including time on remand, his pardon recognises

BAI/MA

Watch the moment John Mahama was sworn in as President

You can also watch how Sammy Gyamfi, Sosu attended John Mahama’s swearing-in ceremony

A 13-year-old girl narrowly escaped an alleged ritual killing after being abducted by four unidentified men on Friday at Aburi-Kitase in the Akuapem South Municipality of the Eastern Region.

The teenager, who lives near the residence of former President John Agyekum Kufuor, went missing around 8 pm while heading to buy food in Kitase.

According to Citi News sources, the abductors had bound the girl’s hands and legs and were reportedly preparing to harm her by slashing her breast. However, they fled the scene when a good Samaritan fired warning shots upon discovering their activities.

Speaking to Citi News, the Assembly Member for the Kitase Electoral Area, Frank Amankwah, confirmed the incident and linked the growing insecurity in the area to the malfunctioning streetlights along the Ayi Mensah to Peduase Lodge stretch.

Amankwah called on the Inspector General of Police to bolster security in the area and address the rising prevalence of social vices near the Peduase Presidential Lodge.

“I have made several complaints about these traffic issues. From Ayi Mensah to Peduase Lodge, the street lights situated there are all not functioning. Boys from Ashiaman, Madina, Nungua, and nearby towns all come here, so if something like this happens, we cannot identify the source of it.

“So, I am pleading for adequate security in the area. It is very unfortunate how loose the security is in Peduase Lodge. I plead with the IGP and all the security apparatus to come to our aid.” he urged.

By Christopher Tetteh

Sunyani, (Bono), Jan. 12, GNA – The Local Government Service Association of Physical Planners (LoGSAPP) has called for expeditious investigations into recurring cases of market fires in the country. 
 
A statement issued and signed by Mrs Gifty Nyarko, the Interim National President of the Association and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani described the fires as disturbing, saying the causes ought to be determined and tackled. 
 
“There is therefore a critical need for swift investigations to ascertain the causes of the fires, especially the recent outbreak at the Kantamanto Market”, it stated. 
 
 The statement advocated strict regulations and enforcement of fire safety measures and standards, including adherence to building codes and regulations during the design, construction and maintenance of markets and other public spaces. 
 
“The fire incidents are tragic and cause serious economic hardship to the victims and their immediate families”, it stated, calling for holistic assessment and in-depth investigations. 
 
“These situations disrupt the local economy, cause financial losses and deeply saddened and destroy vital commercial space that provides means of income and sustenance for many,” it added. 
 
The statement sympathised with the victims and their families, saying as urban planners, “we understand the critical importance of ensuring that markets are safely managed, properly structured and capable of withstanding emergencies”. 
 
It urged relevant institutions, agencies and stakeholders to prioritize fire safety improvements at market places, and underlined the need for enhancing safety infrastructure, calling for the mounting of modern fire detector alarms and hydrants at strategic market locations. 
 
The provision of regular fire safety training for traders and market women in addressing emergencies, fire prevention and fighting is also necessary. 
 
It also called for regular inspections of electrical wiring systems to tackle the problem of short circuits and overloads in markets and other public places and gatherings. 
GNA