Lands minister to take cabinet oversight responsibility over Energy Ministry

The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has designated the minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Damongo Constituency, Samuel A. Jinapor, to have Cabinet oversight responsibility over the Energy Ministry.

This appointment follows the resignation of the minister for Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, who has been named the running mate to the Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

Several individuals were considered for the running mate position after the election of Dr. Bawumia as the NPP’s flagbearer.

The flagbearer ultimately selected the Manhyia South Legislator, who previously served as Minister for Education before his tenure at the Ministry of Energy. On Tuesday, 9th July 2024, Dr. Opoku Prempeh was introduced as the running mate to the NPP’s flagbearer at a durbar in Kumasi.

Following his introduction, Dr. Opoku Prempeh resigned from his position as Minister for Energy to focus on his collaboration with the flagbearer to win the upcoming elections.

A statement issued by the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Mr. Eugene Arhin, on Thursday, 11th July 2024, confirmed that the President has accepted Dr. Opoku Prempeh's resignation as Energy Minister, effective 18th July 2024.

The statement further indicated that the President has requested Samuel A. Jinapor, MP, to assume Cabinet oversight responsibility over the Ministry of Energy, while Herbert Krapa, Minister of State designate at the Energy Ministry, will manage the day-to-day administration of the Ministry.

Mr. Jinapor's oversight responsibility over the Ministry will be in addition to his substantive role as the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.

This marks the third time the President has entrusted Mr. Jinapor with additional responsibilities over other Ministries. It is remembered that following the resignation of the former Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr. John Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, on 13th January 2023, the President appointed Mr. Jinapor as the caretaker Minister for the Ministry of Trade and Industry, a role he held for three months until K.T. Hammond was sworn in as Minister for Trade in April 2023.

Additionally, after the Ministerial reshuffle in February of this year, the Lands and Natural Resources Minister was again designated as caretaker Minister for the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI), pending the approval of Parliament for the then Minister-designate, Ophelia Mensah Hayford, demonstrating the President's confidence in Mr. Jinapor.

During his brief tenure at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mr. Jinapor championed several critical policy matters, including a Policy on Consumer Protection. In a policy statement delivered to Parliament, he highlighted the need to enact a Consumer Protection Law and establish a Consumer Protection Agency to protect the rights of consumers, arguing that common law remedies under contract and tort are inadequate for consumer protection.

As Minister with Cabinet oversight responsibility over the Energy Ministry, Mr. Jinapor is tasked with addressing pressing energy issues, including the power situation in the country, intermittent blackouts, and the decline in crude oil production since 2019, as reported by the Public Interest and Accountability Committee’s (PIAC’s) 2023 Report.

With the power sector playing a crucial role in every election, Mr. Jinapor's designation, just six months before the election, is significant, as analysts await the innovations he will bring to the sector.