ACCRA, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Ghanaian President Jerry Rawlings has appointed Simon Abinga as acting mines and energy minister, a statement issued by the presidency late on Wednesday said.

Abinga is currently deputy mines and energy minister

Education Minister Ekwow Spio-Garbrah has been acting as mines minister since Fred Ohene-Kena was sacked in October after expressing support for a bid for Ghana's Ashanti Goldfields Company Ltd (AGC.GH) from Lonmin Plc (LMI.L). The bid has since been withdrawn.