Claim: President Mahama has appointed 100 ministers and deputy ministers 

Source: Samuel Abu Jinapor 

Verdict: False!

Researched by Samuel Nii Adjetey 

The Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has claimed President John Mahama has appointed about 100 ministers and deputy ministers despite promising Ghanaians a lean government of 60 ministers.

The Damongo MP during a submission on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, indicated that the appointments have resulted in significant expenses for the national treasury.

“President Mahama has formed arguably one of the largest governments in the history of our country in terms of cost to the national exchequer. Why do I say this? Take for example, the president has appointed Dr. Valerie Sawyer a senior presidential adviser in charge of government affairs. Her rank is a cabinet minister who doubles as a Member of Parliament, so her salary, her emoluments, conditions of service, everything to do with her office is at the same rank as a cabinet minister who doubles as a Member of Parliament… 

“He has appointed a presidential advisor on the economy. He appointed a presidential advisor for 24-hour economy, presidential advisor and special aide to the president…” he said. 

“I’ve done the mathematics and I want to submit and I do this not from a partisan lens, but I do this as somebody who had a privilege and honor to serve as deputy Chief of Staff. I know how it works. In terms of the costs on the National Exchequer, the president has appointed 100 ministers and deputy ministers,” he concluded. 

The claim was captured in articles published by some news websites, including GhanaWeb. The claim was also amplified by some social media users, here, here, and here

Fact-check

GhanaFact’s investigation into ministerial appointments by President John Dramani Mahama shows that the president has, as of March 17, 2025, appointed a total of 56 out of the 60 ministers he promised and as contained in the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) 2024 manifesto.

A breakdown of President Mahama’s Ministerial appointments are as follows:

No. Category Number Appointed
1. Substantive Ministers 23
2. Ministers of State 4
3. Regional Ministers 16
4. Deputy Regional Ministers  13
Total 56

Sequence of announcements: 

First Batch

On Thursday, January 9, 2025, President Mahama announced his first set of ministerial nominees, they included nominees for the Ministry of Finance, Energy and Green Transition and Attorney-General and Minister of Justice. 

No. Nominee Sector
1. Cassiel Ato Forson (MP) Finance
2 John Abdulai Jinapor (MP) Energy and Green Transition
3 Dominic Akuritinga Ayine (MP) Attorney-General and Minister of Justice

Second Batch

On Tuesday, January 14, 2025, President Mahama announced his first 10 regional ministers-designate. The list, included the following names:

No. Nominee Region
1. Mrs Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey Eastern
2. Ibrahim Tia North East
3. Dr Frank Amoakohene Ashanti
4. Danatus Akamugri Atanga Upper East
5. Charity Gardiner Ahafo
6. Salisu Bi-Awuribe Savannah
7. Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo Greater Accra
8. Ali Adolf John Northern
9. John Kwadwo Gyapong Oti 
10. Volta James Gunu

Third Batch

On Thursday, January 16, 2025, President Mahama submitted the names of nine additional 12 nominees for various ministerial portfolios to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin.  The list included 9 sector ministers and 3 Regional Ministers.

No. Nominee Region/Sector
1. Wilbert Petty Brentum Western North
2. Eduamoah Ekow Panyin Okyere Central Region
3. Joseph Nelson Western Region
4. Kwame Governs Agbodza (MP) Ministry of Roads and Highways
5. Eric Opoku (MP) Ministry of Food and Agriculture
6. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey (MP) Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection
7. Abla Dzifa Gomashie (MP) Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts
8. Emelia Arthur (MP) Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture
9. George Opare-Addo Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment
10. Haruna Iddrisu (MP) Ministry of Education
11. Ahmed Ibrahim (MP) Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs
12. Elizabeth Ofosu Adjare (MP) Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry

 Fourth Batch 

On Tuesday, January 21, 2025, the fourth batch of ministerial nominees was submitted to Parliament for vetting. The list included 3 Regional Ministers, 11 Sector Ministers and 3 Ministers of State.

No. Nominee Sector/ Role
1. Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah  Ministry of Defence 
2. Samuel Nartey George, MP Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations 
3. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, MP Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources 
4. Kofi Iddie Adams, MP Ministry of Sports and Recreation 
5. Abdul-Rashid H. Pelpuo, MP Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment
6. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, MP Ministry of Health 
7. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, MP Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology 
8. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, MP  Ministry of Transport 
9. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, MP Ministry of Interior 
10. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
11. Adjel Kenneth Gilbert Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources 
12. Puozuing Charles Lwanga   Upper West
13. Joseph Addae Akwaboa Bono
14 Francis Owusu Antwi  Bono East 
15. Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum, MP  Minister of State in Charge of Special Initiatives 
16. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, MP  Minister of State, Government Communications
17. Issifu Seidu, MP Minister of State, Climate Change and Sustainability 

Fifth Batch 

On Tuesday, February 5, 2025, President Mahama announced a list of 13 deputy Ministers and 1 Minister of State, through presidential spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu.

The information above shows that President Mahama has not appointed 100 Ministers as claimed by Mr. Samuel Abu Jinapor. 

No. Nominee Sector/ Role
1. Thomas Nyarko Ampem Ministry of Finance
2. Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi Ministry of the Interior
3. Ernest Brogya Gyenfi Ministry of Defence 
4. Clement Abas Apaak Ministry of Education 
5. Richard Gyan-Mensah Ministry of Energy & Green Transition
6. Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini Ministry of Roads & Highways
7. Justice Srem-Sai Ministry of Justice & Attorney General
8. Yusif Sulemana Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources
9. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs
10. Gizella Tettey-Agbotui Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources
11. Yussif Issaka Jajah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts
12. John Kofi Setor Dumelo Ministry of Food and Agriculture
13. Samson Ahi Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry
14. Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba Minister of State Public Sector Reforms.

Reactions from Kwakye Ofosu and President Mahama 

Responding to the claim in a press briefing, Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu debunked the claim about 100 ministers, stating that it “is blatantly false”. 

“So let the records be set straight that any claim that President Mahama has appointed 100 ministers and is hiding some in the presidency is blatantly false. The number of ministers who have been appointed is 56,” he said. 

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of the 13 deputy ministers, President Mahama spoke about being left with four ministers to complete the 60 ministers promise he made during the elections.

“The swearing in of this batch of 13 deputy ministers and one minister of state brings us closer to achieving the full compliment of ministers. This week, I will submit a final list of four deputy ministers to achieve the full compliment of 60 ministers that we promised,” he said.

Verdict: 

The claim of 100 ministers and deputy ministers in the John Dramani Mahama administration is rated False!

NOTE: GhanaFact has reached out to the Damongo MP, his response will be captured in this report once we get a reply from him.