The newly sworn into office Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has assured that he would work closely with Parliament.

The former Majority Leader said this in Parliament on Thursday January 23 while wishing his successor Mahama Ayariga well as the new Majority Leader in Parliament.

In a post on his X page after his submission, he said “In my final speech as Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, I took a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to President Mahama, the leadership of our great party, my colleague leaders, our resilient caucus, and, most importantly, the incredible people of Ajumako Enyan Essiam.

“Your unwavering support and encouragement made our historic journey from minority to Super-Majority possible.

“As I embrace my new role, I remain committed to working closely with Parliament to continue serving you all with dedication and purpose.”

For his part, Mahama Ayariga said that the road ahead of the Mahama administration will not be without challenges.

However, he said, he is confident that together, through constructive dialogue and mutual respect, they can overcome any obstacles and deliver on our collective vision.

He urged the government to remain steadfast in its commitment to the people of Ghana.

Mr Ayariga assured the people of Ghana that consistent with the overwhelming mandate given to President John Dramani Mahama and the 187 members of this caucus, they will rigorously pursue the agenda to reset Ghana.

He called on the government to remain steadfast in its commitment to the people of Ghana.

“Their trust must inspire our actions and guide our decisions. It is for them that we will build a prosperous, united, and democratic Ghana,” he said in a statement after being formally chosen by the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) as the Majority Leader for the 9th Parliament.

He further said in his statement that he is guided by the illustrious precedents set by former distinguished leaders of their caucus.

“20 years ago, our current Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin led us. Then Hon. Cletus Avoka, Hon. Benjamin Kunbuor, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, and most recently, Hon. Cassiel Ato Forson. Their leadership styles will remain guideposts.

“As Leader of the House and Leader of Government Business, I assure the people of Ghana that, consistent with the overwhelming mandate given to President John Dramani Mahama and the 187 members of this caucus, we will rigorously pursue the agenda to reset Ghana. As President John Dramani Mahama has said, these overwhelming numbers will not be abused. Even though we are an overwhelming majority, we will strive for inclusivity, consensus building and deeply uphold the principles of probity and accountability in the fulfilment of the dreams of our founding fathers. We will foster national unity, advance democracy and ensure equitable development,” he said.

He added “The road ahead will not be without challenges, but I am confident that together, through constructive dialogue and mutual respect, we can overcome any obstacles and deliver on our collective vision.

“Let us remain steadfast in our commitment to the people of Ghana. Their trust must inspire our actions and guide our decisions. It is for them that we will build a prosperous, united, and democratic Ghana. A few moments ago, I was formally chosen by my party – the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and my caucus made up of 187 Members of Parliament to lead the NDC caucus in the 9th Parliament of the 4th Republic of Ghana.

“I will be the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business of the 9th Parliament. With humility and profound gratitude to His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) chaired by Hon Johnson Asiedu Nketia, and my esteemed colleagues in Parliament, I wholeheartedly accept this appointment and the confidence reposed in me.

“I first arrived in Parliament on 7th January 2005. I have served in the Office of the President, served as a Deputy Minister of State, a Minister of State. I have been out of parliament once staged a return. I have been in the front bench of Parliament since I arrived here 20 years ago. But I started my career as a student leader and then as an Assemblyman for Sabongari in Bawku Municipality. I stand fulfilled today as the man to lead the largest majority in the history of our 4th Republic.”

The newly sworn-in Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has called for the validation of data regarding the number of beneficiaries of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme.

According to him, one of the first major issues to address is the statistical validity of how many Ghanaians have benefitted from the Free SHS program.

“My research indicates that the number stands at no more than 3.9 million students between 2017 and 2023. However,  there are public claims and even parliamentary records suggesting 5.1 million beneficiaries. We need to validate this data to ensure clarity and accountability.”

He made the call during his first official visit to the Ministry on Wednesday 22 January 2025 immediately after he was sworn-in by President Mahama. He emphasized the importance of establishing accurate statistics to ensure accountability and informed decision-making.

The Minister clarified that his intention was not to discredit alternative figures but to establish a credible baseline for future discussions and decisions. “Accurate data is essential for effective policy-making, and I am committed to ensuring that we rely on verified information as we move forward,” he added.

As part of his agenda, the Minister announced plans to convene a National Education Conference to assess the state of education in Ghana and develop actionable recommendations for policy reforms. “This conference will serve as a platform to critically analyze our current education system and propose solutions to address the gaps,” he stated.

“Our aim is to ensure that education in Ghana is reformed to guarantee quality and relevance at all levels,” Mr Iddrisu said.

The Education Minister also reiterated his commitment to supporting President John Dramani Mahama’s vision of making education accessible, relevant, and of high quality. “Education must be accessible to every Ghanaian, but it must also be relevant and of a standard that prepares our citizens for the challenges of the modern world,” he noted.

The Minister’s emphasis on transparency and accountability has been met with optimism within the education sector. Stakeholders see his leadership as an opportunity to address longstanding challenges and drive meaningful change.

The proposed National Education Conference is expected to bring together educators, policymakers, civil society, and other stakeholders to chart a new path for Ghana’s education system.

The Ministers visit to the Ministry’s head office was marked by a warm reception from the management staff, including Chief Director Mrs. Marmle Andrews and other senior officials. The visit provided an opportunity for enthused and excited staff who lined up on the corridors of the Minister to exchanged pleasantries with their new Minister.

Minister Iddrisu’s call for data validation and his outlined plans signal a fresh chapter for the Ministry of Education, highlighting the importance of evidence-based policy reforms to create a sustainable and impactful education system for future generations.