President John Mahama has in an Executive Instrument listed 23 ministries that will support in the administration of Ghana under the new government.
In tandem with Section 11(3) of Civil Service Act, 1993 (P.N.D.C.L 327), the new set of ministries is expected to be part of the fulfillment of the President’s promise to maintain a lean government with only 60 ministers.
In the Energy sector, Green Transitions has been added to the focus giving it the name Ministry of Energy and Green Transitions.
The move is a suggestion of the government’s attention on addressing issues related to climate change in Ghana.
In the lead up to the 2024 Elections, CSO’s in the environment and natural resource space organized a number of encounters with political parties on the back of their Environmental Manifesto which spelt out some of the key issues that needed attention. In line with that, political parties featured some of the issues in their manifestoes as part of promises and plans to support the country’s effort in climate resilience, adaptability and mitigation.
The portfolio has already seen the Hon. John Jinapor, Member of Parliament for the Yapei-Kusawgu Constituency named as the President’s nominee. He was part of the first three major ministerial portfolios nominated by the President together with the Hon. Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister of Finance Designate and Hon. Dominic Ayine, Minister Designate for Attorney General and Ministry of Justice.
Upon his approval, vetting and approval, Hon. Jinapor comes into the office with a wealth of experience having served in the previous Mahama administration in the then Energy Ministry as a deputy. In that period, he was in the thick of affairs as Ghana dealt with one of its biggest power crisis in Dumsor which became a household name.
His tenure as deputy minister saw an increase in Ghana’s dependence on thermal energy with the integration of Public Private Partnerships with Independent Power Producers who continue to supply power to the country.
