By Daniel Bampoe
President John Dramani Mahama has stirred a wave of discontent within the ranks of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) following the announcement of his final batch of ministerial appointments, which notably excluded prominent party figures including Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, daughter of the party’s founder, former President Jerry John Rawlings.
The final list of four deputy ministers, released on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, completes Mahama’s long-promised lean government structure, totaling 60 ministers and deputy ministers—well below the numbers of previous administrations including his first term.
Among the newly appointed deputies are Dorcas Toffey (Deputy Minister for Transport), James Gyakye Quayson (Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs), Mohammed A. Sukparu (Deputy Minister for Communications), and Prof. Grace Ayensu-Danquah (Deputy Minister for Health).
However, the glaring omission of Dr. Zanetor Rawlings, a three-term Member of Parliament for Klottey Korle and a trained medical doctor, has ignited sharp criticism from both within and outside the NDC.
Her exclusion has been labeled a “snub” not only to her political credentials but also to the legacy of her late father, J.J. Rawlings, who founded the NDC and plugged John Mahama from political obscurity.
Outcry from Within
Earlier in May, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, Deputy Minority Whip and MP for Weija-Gbawe, expressed deep disappointment over Dr. Zanetor’s exclusion, calling it both “surprising and unacceptable.”
“She is the founding father’s daughter—the founder of the NDC party. I think she is quite a sharp lady,” Shaib said in an interview on Starr FM.
“For me, Zanetor’s exclusion is surprising; I never expected that President Mahama would not give her an appointment.”
The disappointment was echoed by NDC Klottey Korle Constituency Chairman Benjamin Neequaye Kotey, who had confidently predicted on Rainbow Radio just hours before the list of ministers was released that Zanetor would be named a Minister.
“A three-time MP deserves a ministerial position,” Kotey said. “She is beyond the position of deputy. I promise you she will be appointed as the Health Minister.”
Instead, the health portfolio went to Mintah Akandoh, whose performance is now being questioned by critics, particularly from the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Akandoh’s known job experience according to him is a dinner hall prefect.
Parliamentary Backlash
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin took to the floor of Parliament to question the decision, arguing that the daughter of the NDC’s founder deserved at least a ministerial role, if not more.
“Honourable Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, the founder’s daughter, is yet to be mentioned. Mr. Speaker, there are new female MPs who are anxious to have an opportunity to serve in government,” Afenyo-Markin said.
He raised concerns about gender imbalance in the appointments and called on the President to recognize capable female leaders across both political divides.
Sources said Dr Zanetor was allegedly offered a deputy ministerial job for the health ministry but was turned down, refusing to play a second fiddle to Akandoh.
Snub to Mills and Queenstar
Beyond Dr. Rawlings, other perceived party stalwarts have also been left out of Mahama’s administration.
Notably, no visible appointments were offered to loyalists or relatives of the late President John Evans Atta Mills, under whom Mahama once served as Vice President.
His brother, Samuel Atta Mills, MP for Komenda Edina Eguafo Abirem (KEEA) was also snubbed despite assurances and lobbying for at least a deputy minister, exposing John Mahama as an ingrate.
Queenstar Maame Pokuah Sawyer, the former Central Regional deputy Minister and MP for Agona East, also expressed public frustration earlier in the year, claiming she had been sidelined despite her years of service and loyalty to the NDC cause.
In an earlier interview, Queenstar, a four-termer MP hinted at internal lobbying and backroom politicking that saw her lose out in the final ministerial list.
“It seems some of us are only needed during campaigns,” she reportedly lamented. “The shoe will be dirty again, and the “Rag” will be remembered”, she posted on Facebook.
Sources said Queenstar lost out in the ministerial appointment owing to alleged strong opposition by the First Lady, Lordina Mahama.
The First Lady is said to have kicked against her nomination, clipping the president’s hands in nominating her. That logjam led to the delay announcement of the four nominees, completing the 60 ministerial list.
Lordina is believed to be the power behind the throne in the appointment of ministers and other appointees in the Mahama administration, building a coterie of political loyalists.
What Lies Ahead?
With the cabinet now fully constituted, tensions remain high within the NDC’s rank and file.
Political observers believe the fallout from the latest appointments may impact internal party cohesion heading into the 2028 election cycle.
