The removal from office of officials who were appointed under the former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration has caused a stir among Ghanaians.
Upon assuming office President John Mahama’s administration has replaced almost all Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), Managing Directors (MDs) and Municipal, Metropolitan and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).
These positions have been filled with persons believed to be members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who contributed to winning the December 2024 elections.
The Minority caucus in Parliament has criticised the government for prioritising loyalty over competence. And so have some concerned Ghanaians. Yet on a daily basis, new appointments are made.
Other concerned individuals and groups have bemoaned President Mahama’s decision and faulted him for repeating the usual trend of removing appointees of the previous government after taking office.
Here is a recap of those ‘disappointed’ and the appointed ones.
Edward Nana Yaw Koranteng, former CEO of Minerals Income and Investment Fund (MIIF). His appointment was terminated on January 13, and was replaced by Justina Nelson to oversee the fund’s operations.
Chief of Defence Staff, Thomas Oppong-Peprah got his appointment revoked as the Chief of Defense Staff. President Mahama appointed Brigadier General William Agyapong on March 17, 2025, to take up the role.
Rev. Daniel Ogbarmey Tetteh was dismissed as Director-General of the Ghana Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He was instructed to handover to Dr. James Klutse Avedzi, who has been appointed as Acting Director-General of the SEC.
The most recent dismissal is that of Dr. Adam Atiku, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH). His removal followed a surprise visit by the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, on April 22, 2025. The visit was prompted by reports of alleged negligence that led to a patient’s death at the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Ward. On April 23, President Mahama appointed Dr. Abubakar Bawah Abdulai, who is said to have contested the 2024 parliamentary elections in Karaga on the ticket of the NDC.
The former Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, was removed from his position and replaced by Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, a legal professional and a stalwart of the NDC.
The National Identification Authority (NIA) was also impacted by the shake-up, as Professor Kenneth Agyemang Attafuah was replaced with Wisdom Yayra Koku Deku as the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) after the latter’s tenure had ended.
As part of efforts to restructure the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC), President Mahama issued a directive removing Nana Akwasi Awuah Esq as Managing Director. He appointed Sammy Gyamfi, the Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), as Acting Chief Executive Officer to kickstart the Ghana Gold Board, which will operate under the direction of the Minister of Finance.
Egbert Faibille Jnr, the former CEO of the Petroleum Commission, held the position from August 2017 until January 17, 2025, when President Mahama appointed Victoria Emeafa Hardcastle as the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission.
Samuel Awuku on his part, resigned from his position as the former Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), on January 13. Mohammed Abdul-Salam took over the position.
The tenure of Joseph Abuabu Dadzie, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), ended on January 15, 2025. He was succeeded by Edward Abambire Bawa, who became the new CEO of GNPC.
Dr. Ben K.D. Asante served as the CEO of the Ghana National Gas Company until March 2025, when he was replaced by Judith Adjobah Blay.
The removal of the immediate past Managing Director of SIC Insurance Company Limited, Hollistar Duah-Yentumi, took a dramatic turn following her refusal to step down from her position after President Mahama appointed James Agyenim-Boateng as her replacement.
She filed a lawsuit on February 4 challenging her removal. Court documents revealed that Duah-Yentumi earned a gross monthly salary of GH₵70,000, amounting to annual basic earnings of GH₵840,000, which sparked widespread reactions.
On February 6, 2025, the Agricultural Development Bank PLC (ADB) announced the resignation of Alhassan Yakubu-Tali as Managing Director after two years of service. Edward Ato Sarpong was subsequently appointed as Acting Managing Director of the ADB.
The appointments of all MMDCEs under former President Akufo-Addo have also been revoked. The ruling government has almost concluded with the appointments of their replacements within the local government.
In a new development, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo was suspended on April 22, 2025, after President Mahama, in consultation with the Council of State, determined a prima facie case based on petitions against her. A committee has been formed to investigate the petitions seeking her removal.
The committee set up to investigate her held that the allegations were of merit and she was asked by the President to step aside for further investigations. The senior most judge on the Supreme Court, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie has been mandated to act as Chief Justice.
There has since been comments on the impact of the suspension on the judiciary and an injunction suit has been filed by the Old Tafo MP, Vincent Ekow Assafuah.
