In a significant restructuring of Ghana’s government, President John Dramani Mahama has reduced the number of ministries under the Civil Service (Ministries) Instrument, 2025.
This move forms part of his agenda to create a leaner, more efficient government structure.
The reorganization sees several ministries either merged, rebranded, or completely shut down compared to the structure used during President Nana Akufo-Addo’s second term in office.
Below is a detailed analysis of the ministries that have been shut down or merged as part of Mahama’s efforts to streamline government operations.
Ministries shut down or merged by Mahama
1. Ministry of Public Enterprises
This ministry, which was part of Akufo-Addo’s government and headed by Hon. Joseph Cudjoe, has been completely shut down under Mahama’s new structure. The responsibilities of this ministry are expected to be absorbed by other ministries, particularly the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry.
2. Ministry of Railway Development
The standalone Ministry of Railway Development under Hon. John Peter Amewu has been merged into the Ministry of Transport. Mahama’s government sees railway transport as part of a broader transport system, hence the consolidation into a single ministry to manage road, air, sea, and rail transport.
3. Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources
Under Akufo-Addo, this ministry was initially headed by Hon. Cecilia Abena Dapaah. Following her resignation after corruption scandals hit her in July 2023, Hon. Freda Prempeh took over as the new Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources. In Mahama’s government, water resource management has been merged with the Ministry of Works, Housing, and Water Resources, while sanitation responsibilities are expected to be handled by the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology or the Ministry of Local Government.
4. Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation
The former Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation led by Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has been rebranded as the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations under Mahama. This reflects a broader focus on innovation and digital transformation.
5. Ministry of Youth and Sports
In Akufo-Addo’s government, Youth and Sports were combined into a single ministry. Mahama’s government has split this into two separate ministries:
- Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment – focusing on youth policies and empowerment programs.
- Ministry of Sports and Recreation – focusing on sports development and recreational activities.
6. Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development
This ministry remains under Mahama’s government, but its scope has been broadened. It now forms part of a holistic strategy that connects it with agribusiness under the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
7. Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture
While this ministry continues to exist, it has been rebranded as the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts to emphasize the importance of the creative arts industry.
8. Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs
This ministry, led by Hon. Ebenezer Kojo Kum under Akufo-Addo, remains under Mahama’s government but has been merged with the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs to streamline governance at the local and traditional levels.
Ministries retained with new focus areas
Several ministries from Akufo-Addo’s government have been retained, but with a renewed focus to align with Mahama’s development priorities:
- Ministry of Energy has been expanded to become the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, reflecting a focus on renewable energy and sustainability.
- Ministry of Trade and Industry has been restructured into the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, signalling a greater focus on agribusiness as a key driver of economic growth.
Check out the full list of new 2025 ministries of government under the John Mahama administration.
Additional ministries that previously existed in Nana Akufo-Addo not retained by Mahama
1. National Security Ministry
This ministry, which was part of Akufo-Addo’s government, was not listed in Mahama’s new structure. The responsibilities are expected to be handled by other security agencies and the Ministry of Defence.
2. Senior Minister
This position, held by Hon. Yaw Osafo-Maafo during Akufo-Addo’s term, has been eliminated in Mahama’s government. The duties previously handled by the Senior Minister are expected to be distributed across other ministries.
3. Ministry for Special Development Initiatives
This ministry, created to oversee infrastructure projects and development initiatives, has been shut down under Mahama’s government.
4. Ministry of Inner Cities and Zongo Development
This ministry, focused on improving living conditions in inner cities and Zongo communities, has been dissolved, with its responsibilities likely absorbed by local government authorities.
5. Ministry of Monitoring and Evaluation
Created to monitor the implementation of government policies, this ministry has been eliminated under Mahama’s administration, with its functions expected to be integrated into other ministries.
6. Ministry of Planning
This ministry, which was responsible for national development planning, has been shut down under Mahama’s government, with its functions likely absorbed by the Ministry of Finance and other relevant ministries.
Key insights from the restructuring
1. Focus on digital transformation and innovation: The rebranding of the Ministry of Communications to include Digital Technology and Innovations shows Mahama’s commitment to advancing Ghana’s digital economy.
2. Youth empowerment as a standalone focus: Splitting the Youth and Sports ministry into two separate ministries highlights Mahama’s focus on youth policies and empowerment programs as a national priority.
3. Green energy and sustainability: The creation of the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition reflects global trends in sustainable development and climate action.
4. Merging of ministries to reduce duplication: Several ministries that had overlapping mandates under Akufo-Addo have been merged to improve efficiency. For example, sanitation has been merged into broader environmental policies, while railway development is now part of transport.
Source:
3news.com
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