Mahama makes new ministerial changes
Pelpuo Reassigned to the Presidency
President John Dramani Mahama has made fresh changes to his government, reassigning the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, to the Office of the President.
Under the new arrangement, Dr Pelpuo will serve as Minister of State in charge of Special Initiatives at the Presidency. His reassignment forms part of a fresh round of changes aimed at realigning responsibilities within the Mahama administration.
The Presidency confirmed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the Minister for Government Communications, Felix Ofosu Kwakye.
Agyekum to Take Over Labour Ministry
Dr Pelpuo is expected to be replaced at the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment by Emmanuel Agyekum, the current Minister of State in charge of Special Initiatives.
Mr Agyekum will consequently leave the Presidency to take charge of the Labour, Jobs and Employment Ministry, taking over from Dr Pelpuo.
The move effectively creates an exchange of responsibilities between the two ministers, with Dr Pelpuo assuming responsibility for Special Initiatives while Mr Agyekum takes charge of the Labour, Jobs and Employment portfolio.
An official announcement on the changes is expected from the Presidency.
Latest in a Series of Ministerial Changes
The latest reassignments come only weeks after President Mahama undertook a broader ministerial reshuffle involving several key government portfolios.
As part of that reshuffle, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei was moved from the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources to become Minister for Defence.
Ahmed Ibrahim, who was serving as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, was also reassigned to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources.
These changes have continued to reshape the composition and responsibilities of the Mahama administration as the government settles into its various ministerial roles.
Brogya Genfi Reassigned
The latest changes also affect Ernest Brogya Genfi, who has been removed as Deputy Minister of Defence and reassigned to the Presidency as a Special Advisor.
Mr Brogya Genfi had served as Deputy Minister of Defence during a period of transition at the ministry. His reassignment follows the appointment of Kenneth Gilbert Adjei as the substantive Minister for Defence earlier this month.
Government Realigns Responsibilities
The latest changes highlight President Mahama’s continued efforts to realign responsibilities among members of his administration.
With Dr Pelpuo moving to the Presidency, Mr Agyekum assuming responsibility for Labour, Jobs and Employment, and Mr Brogya Genfi taking up a new role as Special Advisor, the changes are expected to bring a new configuration to several areas of government.
The Presidency is expected to provide further details on the reassignments and the effective dates for the ministers’ new responsibilities.
