Parliament approves 5 ministers

The five are Alhaji Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak as Minister for the Interior; Ali Adolf John for the Northern Region; John Kwadwo Gyapong for Oti; James Gunu for Volta and Mrs Rita Akosua Awatey as Eastern Regional Minister.

Alhaji Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, Minister for the Interior at the vetting

During his vetting, the newly appointed Interior Minister pledged to address systemic delays in the promotion of security personnel, emphasising its importance for enhancing public safety.

“We must prioritise the welfare and concerns of our security agents,” he stressed, noting that motivated officers are crucial for effective service delivery.

He also proposed codified promotion structures, merit-based advancements, and transparent performance evaluations to address frustrations within the security services.

He described the current cumbersome process for senior police promotions, which requires multiple approvals, as a hindrance to career progression.

Alhaji Muntaka also called for urgent reforms in the country’s prisons, describing the GH¢1.80 daily feeding allowance for inmates as “dehumanising.”

He vowed to advocate for increased budgetary allocations to improve prison conditions, stating, “These conditions undermine the goal of rehabilitation.”

Alhaji Muntaka who is the Member of Parliament for Asawase Constituency in the Ashanti Region further commended the Ghana Police Service for its decision not to use firearms during the 2024 general elections, a move he said helped prevent police-related fatalities.

He assured Ghanaians of his commitment to strengthening internal security through enhanced personnel management, resource allocation, and technology adoption.

The approved regional ministers during their vetting promised to implement measures that would foster development and create jobs in their respective regions.

They pledged to collaborate with stakeholders to roll out initiatives that address challenges in education, health, and infrastructure, with a focus on economic empowerment at the local level.

The ministers emphasised their commitment to working with district and municipal assemblies to unlock the development potential of their regions.

During his vetting, Mr John among others outlined plans to address unemployment and promote agriculture in the Northern Region, while Mr Gyapong emphasised the need to improve road infrastructure and access to basic services in the Oti Region.

Mr Gunu pledged to focus on tourism and industrial growth in the Volta Region, and Mrs Awatey highlighted her commitment to improving education and health outcomes in the Eastern Region.