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President Akufo-Addo reshuffles finally: See who is in, who is out
President Akufo-Addo is poised to announce his inaugural significant ministerial reshuffle today, Wednesday, February 14, marking the first major overhaul since assuming office in January 2017.
Sources within the Jubilee House, the government’s administrative headquarters, have disclosed this information to JoyNews.
Reports indicate considerable activity on the fourth floor of Jubilee House, where ministers potentially impacted by the reshuffle have been seen, along with other MPs anticipated to benefit from the impending changes.
Approximately 12 current ministers of state, including 10 cabinet ministers and two regional ministers, are likely to be affected by the reshuffle. Notably, several prominent government figures are expected to either lose their positions entirely or undergo significant reassignments.
On Tuesday, February 13, President Akufo-Addo held extensive discussions with ministers and deputy ministers who could be affected, as well as those joining or leaving his administration in the imminent reshuffle.
The Valentine’s Day announcement, expected at 11am, is a major, long-awaited reshuffle that will see some key government members, among them some who have held their posts for the past seven years, exit cabinet altogether, while others assume new roles.
Sources within government tell Myjoyonline.com that calls have since Tuesday night been going through to nominees and casualties to ensure a smooth exercise.
However, the sources speak of a very challenging exercise, as several nominees have been hesitant to accept their new roles, unsure how much of the enormous expectations they can deliver within the limited time left before the tenure of the administration expires.
Below are names and movements confirmed by our sources.
Exiting Government
Ken Ofori-Atta – Finance Minister
Freda Prempeh – Sanitation and Water Resources Minister
Dr. Mohammed Awa – Tourism Minister
Ambrose Dery – The Interior Minister
Dr Kwaku Afriyie – Environment Science, Technology and Innovation Minister
Kwasi Amoako-Attah – Roads and Highways Minister
Kwaku Agyeman Manu – Health Minister
Dan Kwaku Botwe – Local Government Minister
Zuweira Lariba – Gender Minister
New Nominations
Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover – Greater Accra Region
Henry Quartey – The Interior
Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam – Finance
Lydia Alhassan – Sanitation and Water Resources
Andrew Agyepa Mercer – Minister of Tourism
Ophelia Hayford Mensah – Environment Science, Technology and Innovation
Ms Fatimatu Abubakar – Information
Kojo Oppong Nkrumah – Works and Housing
Francis Asenso Boakye – Roads and Highways
Dr Bernard Okoe Boye – Health
Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah – Local Government
Darkoa Newman – Gender
The last government restructuring occurred a month earlier, after the resignations of former Trade Minister Alan Kyerematen and Agriculture Minister Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, who stepped down to focus on their political campaigns.
Insiders reveal that the forthcoming reshuffle is anticipated to be far-reaching and was strategically postponed to coincide with the conclusion of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential and parliamentary primaries.
The primaries, held on January 27, aimed to shield ministers from potential electoral setbacks while transitioning to new roles, mitigating additional emotional strain.
Originally slated for December, the reshuffle was rescheduled to February post the governing party’s internal elections to preempt unsuccessful candidates from attributing their loss to the president.
Last week, 24 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) were relieved of their duties, with 26 replacements appointed, as part of efforts to reinvigorate local governance.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
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GEXIM to host “SME GO” programme stakeholder sensitisation and fair on September 18
The Ghana Export – Import Bank (GEXIM) in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ghana Enterprises Agency and Development Bank of Ghana will be hosting the final phase of the stakeholder sensitisation exercise on the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Growth and Opportunity (SME GO) Programme at the Bank’s headquarters located at the Africa Trade House, in Accra.
The stakeholder sensitisation event is scheduled to take place on Wednesday SSeptember18, 2024 at 10 am and will give attendees a deeper insight into the SME GO Programme with a focus on the dynamics of the programme, eligibility criteria application process and how the initiative seeks to assist Ghanaian SMEs to scale up and compete favorably in the international marketplace.
The confirmed speakers and dignitaries for the event will highlight how Ghanaian SMEs can leverage on the SME GO Programme to build the capacities and make them sustainable.
They include Hon. Abena Osei-Asare, Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Hon. K. T. Hammond, Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Nii Kwartei Titus Glover, Greater Accra Regional Minister as well as the Chief Executive Officers of the Ghana Enterprises Agency and Development Bank of Ghana.
Alongside the stakeholder sensitisation event, GEXIM will be hosting a special edition of its popular SME Fair dubbed “SME GO Mart” at the forecourt of the Africa Trade House, from 8am to 8pm.
The theme for the “SME GO Mart” is “Celebrating Ghanaian SMEs” and it will provide a platform for Ghanaian entrepreneurs to showcase various top-quality Made-In-Ghana products.
Over hundred Ghanaian entrepreneurs with unique products have been confirmed to participate in the fair.
They will be exhibiting several unique and authentic products at unbeatable prices including food and ingredients, beverages, skin and beauty care products, textiles, apparel, garments, leather footwear, slippers, and many others.
In July 2024, the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Finance launched the SME GO Programme, a ground breaking initiative which sought to provide Ghanaian SMEs with the needed funds, requisite technology and knowledge as well as other relevant resources and tools to aid their growth to become international giants.
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Zipline, GHS reduce maternal mortality in Ashanti Region by 56.4% – Study
A recent impact assessment study on aerial logistics to improve maternal health and emergencies has revealed a remarkable reduction in maternal mortality by 56.4% in Ghana’s Ashanti Region, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Zipline and the Ghana Health Service (GHS).
This was revealed at the National Ghana Health Service Research Conference organized by the Ghana Health Service in partnership with Zipline. The study, which focused on the impact of aerial logistics in healthcare, also noted a 19.9% increase in antenatal visits and a 25% rise in in-facility births, signaling a significant boost in maternal health outcomes.
The success according to the study is attributed to the on-demand availability of blood and essential medical supplies provided by Zipline’s innovative drone delivery system. This consistent access to critical resources has increased patient confidence in the healthcare system, encouraging more mothers to seek necessary care throughout their pregnancies.
Speaking on the highlight of the study, the Research Officer at Ashanti Regional Health Directorate stated, “the significant decrease in maternal mortality we’ve seen is a clear indication of the vital role that reliable access to medical supplies plays in healthcare. The ability to deliver blood and essential medicines exactly when they’re needed has transformed how mothers in the Ashanti Region perceive and engage with the healthcare system.”
“It’s an achievement that speaks to the importance of introducing technology in healthcare delivery. Mothers now feel more confident in seeking care, knowing that they will receive the support they need throughout their pregnancies,”he stated.
The study examined data from 191 health facilities, including hospitals, health centers, and Community-based Health and Planning Services (CHPS) Compounds. Among these, 99 facilities were served by Zipline’s aerial logistics, while 91 were not. The research employed adjusted rates for various key indicators, such as antenatal consultations, emergency visits, referrals, live births, hysterectomies, maternal deaths, and neonatal deaths, as the main dependent variables.
The qualitative aspect of the study aimed to describe and analyze the changes in satisfaction levels among healthcare providers and patients, perceived quality of care in maternal health and emergencies, and experiences related to the use of aerial logistics. In-depth interviews were conducted with 22 patients and 23 healthcare providers at the participating facilities.
Globally, maternal mortality remains a critical public health challenge, with stark disparities between high-income and low-to-middle-income countries (LMICs).
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the majority of maternal deaths occur in LMICs, often due to preventable causes. In Ghana, particularly in the Ashanti Region, the problem is critical, reflecting the broader challenges faced across the African continent. Beyond this, socio-economic, geographic, and infrastructural factors intensify the risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth, highlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions to improve maternal health outcomes.
As maternal mortality continues to pose a challenge in low-to-middle-income countries, the success seen in Ghana’s Ashanti Region offers a promising model for other regions and nations striving to improve maternal health outcomes through innovative solutions.
Zipline is poised to continue leading the way in revolutionizing healthcare delivery, ensuring that every mother has access to the life-saving resources, no matter where she lives.
