President John Dramani Mahama has undertaken his first major reshuffle of his administration, reassigning ministers and making new nominations to key ministries, weeks after warning that further changes to the composition of government should be expected.
The latest changes come against the backdrop of the President’s earlier assurance that reshuffles would remain a feature of his administration as he seeks to align personnel with his government’s priorities.
In accordance with Article 78(1) of the 1992 Constitution, President Mahama, through the Speaker of Parliament, nominated Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings as Minister of Environment, Science and Technology and Mahama Ayariga as Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
The two nominations are subject to parliamentary approval before the nominees can be formally sworn into office.
As part of the changes, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, who has been in charge of the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources, has been reassigned to take charge of the Ministry of Defence.
The changes also see the Member of Parliament for Banda, Ahmed Ibrahim, reassigned from the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources.
Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings and Mr Adjei’s respective ministries are receiving substantive ministers for the first time in about a year following the deaths of the original appointees in the tragic helicopter crash on August 6, 2025.
The latest reshuffle gives fresh meaning to President Mahama’s earlier warning that additional changes could be made within his government.
‘More reshuffles coming’
Addressing residents during the Reset Tour and citizens’ engagement in the Volta Region, President Mahama indicated that his administration would undertake further changes to the composition of government.
He urged party members and public office hopefuls to remain prepared, suggesting that opportunities to serve could arise as his presidency progresses.
“There’ll be reshuffles and reshuffles and reshuffles, so just stand in readiness. Who knows, your turn will come and you’ll be invited to serve,” the President said.
The latest changes therefore mark the first major reshuffle since those remarks, while also signalling that further adjustments could still be on the way.
Lean government
President Mahama has consistently defended his administration’s decision to maintain what he describes as a lean and efficient government structure.
According to him, the number of presidential staff, advisers and other officials attached to the Presidency has been significantly reduced compared with previous arrangements.
He said personnel at the Presidency had been reduced from approximately 300 to a little over 200, a move he said had helped eliminate unnecessary expenditure.
“We’ve kept it lean and mean and that is how we’re able to cut down some of the waste,” President Mahama stated.
Cost of governance
The President has also pointed to the decision to limit the number of ministers to 60 as part of efforts to reduce the cost of governance.
Several ministries and all regional ministerial offices are also operating without deputy ministers, according to the President.
The reduction in the size of government was one of the key governance commitments outlined by President Mahama during the 2024 election campaign, with the administration maintaining that a smaller executive would help free public resources for national development.
The latest reshuffle comes as the Mahama administration continues to reposition key personnel across government, with further changes expected as the President seeks to improve performance and advance his policy agenda.
