On Wednesday 14th February 2024, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in his new cabinet reshuffle appointed Hon. Dakoa Newman as the Minister Designate for Gender, Children and Social Protection ministry which makes the lawmaker the youngest woman to be appointed to that office.
The Thirty-Eight (38yrs) Okaikwei South Member of Parliament, when approved by the vetting committee of parliament will go into the history books as the youngest female to be appointed by any president since the creation of that Ministry in 2001. She is a graduate of the University of Ghana and the daughter of Mr. Victor Newman, a founding member of the New Patriotic Party.
2001, H.E John Agyekum Kuffour created the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and appointed Hon. Gladys Asmah the first Minister. The primary objective for its establishment was to have a Ministry responsible for policy formulation, coordination monitoring and evaluation of Gender, Children and Social Protection issues within the context of the national development agenda.
Hon. Gladys Asmah was Sixty-Two (62)years old when she assumed the office and served a four-year term from 2001 – 2005. she was succeeded by Hon. Alima Mahama in 2005 and ended her tenure in 2009 when the NPP lost power to the NDC in 2008.
The NDC government led by H.E John Evans Atta-Mills first appointed Hon. Akua Sena Dansua, the then North Dayi Legislator to that ministry but served for just a year from 2009 – 2010. She was also 51 years old. Hon. Sena Dansoa was succeeded by a Sixty (60) Year old Juliana Jocelyn Azumah-Mensah to serve from 2010 to 2012.
Then in 2013, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, formerly known as Nana Oye Lithur whose age is not known in public served in that portfolio. however, your authoritative www.mayorcarlos.com can confirm that Nana Oye Banpoe Addo who had 30 years of experience in politics and Gender advocacy before her appointment, would be more than 39yrs at the time of her appointment. Hon. Otiko Afisa Djaba, Hon. Cynthia Morison, Hon. Adwoa Safo and Hon. Lariba Zuweira Abudu, the outgoing sector minister were all above the age of 40 years when they were appointed.
The Greater Accra Regional Youth Wing of the ruling New Patriotic Party, led by Joe Twumasi Buabeng in a statement released on Wednesday evening expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the President for appointing a Youthful but dynamic Dakoa Newman as the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection.
