President John Dramani Mahama has taken some crucial and decisive actions since he was sworn into office on January 7, 2025, at the Black Stars Square.

Some of the actions include ordering the Ghana Police Service to investigate election-related deaths in the 2020/2024 general elections, releasing a list of three ministerial position nominees, revoking the appointment of MMDCEs, and setting up a committee to avert power outages, and reducing ministres from 30 to 23.

All these actions were taken within five days after John Mahama was sworn into office as President.

GhanaWeb highlights the four decisive actions John Mahama has taken as president.

1. Ordering investigations into election-related deaths

John Mahama, through his Executive Secretary, wrote to the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, to request an investigation into the deaths recorded during the 2020 and 2024 elections.

In a letter dated Friday, January 10, 2025, the presidency stated that it has become imperative to serve justice to the victims and families of the deceased.

“I have been instructed by H.E. John Mahama to formally request your office to initiate immediate investigations into the tragic deaths of Ghanaian citizens during the 2020/24 general elections.

"These incidents, which occurred in various parts of the country, have left a lasting scar on our democratic process, and it is imperative that justice is served for the victims and their families,” the letter said.

The president also asked the IGP to issue periodic updates on the progress of the investigation to maintain public trust and transparency.

“To maintain public trust and ensure transparency, we kindly request periodic updates on the progress of the investigation. This will help to keep stakeholders informed and assure the public of your commitment to uncovering the truth," the letter read.

2. Revocation of MMDCEs' appointments

President John Mahama has revoked the appointments of all Municipal, Metropolitan, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).

The revocation was contained in a letter addressed to the Chief Director of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and dated January 8, 2025.

In addition, the appointments of all assembly members to politically held positions in the various districts have been revoked.

In the meantime, district coordinating directors were asked to act at the various assemblies across the country.

"In accordance with the powers vested in H.E. John Mahama under the provisions of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936) as amended by the Local Governance (Amendment) Act, 2017 (Act 940), the following appointments have been revoked effective today: 1. Chief Executives of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies. 2. Assembly Members appointed pursuant to the relevant sections of the Act.

"In the interim, the respective Coordinating Directors of the various MMDAs are directed to assume responsibility as acting Chief Executives until substantive appointments are duly made. Kindly take note and act accordingly," the letter, which was issued by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Callistus Mahama, on January 8, 2025, read.

3. Setting up a Committee to address looming power crisis

The newly sworn-in John Mahama government set up a 12-member committee to address a looming power crisis that could potentially disrupt the country’s power supply.

According to Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Acting Spokesperson for President John Mahama, the committee is expected to develop a roadmap to address both financial and technical issues.

John Abdulai Jinapor will serve as Chairman of the Committee. Prior to this, John Jinapor disclosed that the outgoing Akufo-Addo government had not stocked enough fuel for power supply.

He stated that Ghana has only five hours’ worth of fuel stock for power generation across the country.

4. Nomination of ministerial appointments

President John Mahama named his first set of ministerial appointments.

The first set of ministerial appointments includes the nomination of a Minister of Finance Designate, a Minister of Energy Designate, and the Attorney General and Minister of Justice Designate.

The Majority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, was appointed by Mahama as the Minister of Finance Designate.

The Member of Parliament for Yapei-Kusawgu, John Abdulai Jinapor, is the Minister of Energy Designate, while the Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga East, Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, is the Attorney General and Minister for Justice Designate.

The nomination was contained in a statement issued by the Acting Spokesperson to the President, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, on Thursday, January 9, 2025.

5. Scrapping ministries from 30 to 23

President John Dramani Mahama has by Executive Instrument reduced the number of ministries from 30 to 23.

The move by the President forms part of an administrative restructuring initiative aimed at enhancing efficiency and streamlining government operations.

The restructuring was formalised through the Civil Service (Ministries) Instrument, 2025 (E.I. 1) and signed by President John Dramani Mahama on January 9, 2025.

Additionally, the Executive Instrument outlines the newly established ministries and revokes the previous arrangement under the Civil Service (Ministries) Instrument, 2021 (E.I. 12).

Some key changes include the establishment of the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry and among others.

Watch the full swearing-in of John Mahama



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