Mavis Hawa Koomson, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, has been named as acting Minister for the Ministry of Food and Agriculture by President Akufo-Addo.

This comes after the substantive minister Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto’s resignation.

The Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East will oversee the sector until a meaningful replacement is made, according to a statement released by the Presidency on January 12 by Director of Communications, Eugene Arhin.

President Akufo-Addo has acknowledged the resignation and expressed appreciation for Dr. Afriyie Akoto’s contributions to the administration and the country.

Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto stepped down as a minister on Tuesday, January 10.

He resigned to focus on his Presidential ambition as he wants to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) into the 2024  general elections.

Dr. Akoto’s resignation came days after Trade Minister, Alan Kyerematen also resigned from the government to focus on his Presidential ambition.

Dr Afriyie Akoto served as a Member of Parliament for the Kwadaso Constituency in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region for two terms.

In Parliament, he held the position of Deputy Ranking Member and subsequently the substantive Ranking Member for the Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs until 2017 when he was appointed the Minister for Food and Agriculture.

In November 2022, in the midst of economic challenges and rising food prices, Dr Afriyie Akoto implemented the controversial Planting for Food and Jobs policy at the premises of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to sell cheaper foods to Ghanaians.