President John Dramani Mahama has removed the Government Statistician Prof. Samuel Kobina Annim, replacing him with Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, pending consultations with the Council of State.
The decision signals a shift in leadership at the Ghana Statistical Service, with many seeing Dr. Iddrisu’s appointment as a strategic move to bolster the government’s economic planning and statistical governance.
The president also swept away all the six directors at the Ghana Maritime Authority, GMA without giving any explanation for their dismissal.
A statement released by the Communications Directorate of the Presidency on Friday, April 4, and signed by the Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, announced the appointment Dr Iddrisu.
“President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Dr Alhassan Iddrisu as Acting Government Statistician pending consultations with the Council of State,” the statement said.
Dr. Iddrisu was a staff of the Ministry of Finance, where he has held several high-level roles.
He currently serves as the Director of the Economic Strategy and Research Division, a key arm of the ministry responsible for macroeconomic analysis, forecasting, policy research, and coordination of real and external sector assessments.
Dismissals At GMA
In a move that has sparked both political and public outcry, the administration of President John Dramani Mahama has initiated a wave of high-level dismissals within the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), raising eyebrows over the government’s employment policies and commitment to job creation.
A confidential letter dated March 12, 2025, signed by Dr. Callistus Mahama, Secretary to the President, confirmed the termination of the appointment of the Director of Finance at the GMA, with immediate effect.
Five other directors were equally dismissed.
The letter, which has since surfaced in the media, was addressed directly from the Office of the President at Jubilee House and copied to the Vice President, the Chief of Staff, and the Minister of Transport.
However, this dismissal is not an isolated case.
According to multiple credible sources within the Authority, several other senior officials have been relieved of their duties as well as not less than 40 staff had been asked to go home with no compensation.
Sources said the list is growing as the new management intends to downsize the staff strength of the organization to pay the way for the recruitment of NDC activists.
These officers include: Director for Planning, Head of Public Relations, Deputy Director of Audit, Deputy Director for Management Services Division (MSD), Director of Legal and Director of Maritime Services.
This purge of top civil and public servants has triggered significant backlash, particularly from opposition figures and civil society groups.
Critics argue that these terminations contradict the government’s earlier promises to create more jobs and reduce unemployment.
Instead, they allege, the administration is actively displacing experienced professionals, only to replace them with loyalists and party foot soldiers.
