The position of Chief of Staff has remained one of the key offices at the Presidency since the beginning of Ghana’s Fourth Republic in 1992.

Over the years, the position has been occupied by personalities from different professional backgrounds, including the military, law, politics, media and international development.

From the administration of the later and former President Jerry John Rawlings to the current government of President John Dramani Mahama, nine individuals have served in the position, with Julius Debrah having occupied the office twice.

Here are the nine people who have served as Chief of Staff since 1992:

1. Lt Col SB Baryeh

Period: January 1992 – July 1997

President served: Jerry John Rawlings

Profession: Military officer

Lt Col SB Baryeh was the first Chief of Staff listed in the Fourth Republic.

He served under President Jerry John Rawlings from January 1992 until July 1997.

2. Nana Ato Dadzie

Period: July 1997 – January 2001

President served: Jerry John Rawlings

Profession: Lawyer and politician

Nana Ato Dadzie succeeded Lt Col SB Baryeh in July 1997.

He remained in office until January 2001, when President Rawlings handed over power following the 2000 general elections.

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3. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey

Period: January 2001

President served: John Agyekum Kufuor

Profession: Media executive and politician

Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey became Chief of Staff after John Agyekum Kufuor assumed the presidency in January 2001.

His tenure was brief, after which Kwadwo Mpiani took over the position.

4. Kwadwo Mpiani

Period: 2001 – January 2009

President served: John Agyekum Kufuor

Profession: Financial consultant and politician

Kwadwo Mpiani succeeded Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey and served as Chief of Staff for most of President Kufuor’s tenure.

He remained in office until January 2009, when the Kufuor administration ended.

5. John Henry Martey Newman

Period: January 2009 – January 2013

Presidents served: John Atta Mills and John Dramani Mahama

Profession: Lawyer and administrator

John Henry Martey Newman became Chief of Staff when John Evans Atta Mills assumed office in January 2009.

He continued in the position after John Dramani Mahama became President in July 2012 following the death of President Mills.

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6. Prosper Douglas Bani

Period: January 2013 – February 2015

President served: John Dramani Mahama

Profession: International development manager

Prosper Douglas Bani took over as Chief of Staff in January 2013 when President Mahama began his first full term.

He served until February 2015, when he was replaced by Julius Debrah.

7. Julius Debrah

Period: February 2015 – January 2017

President served: John Dramani Mahama

Profession: Politician

Julius Debrah became Chief of Staff in February 2015 after succeeding Prosper Douglas Bani.

He remained in the position until January 2017, when the Mahama administration left office.

8. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare

Period: January 2017 – January 2025

President served: Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo

Profession: Politician
Akosua Frema Osei-Opare was appointed Chief of Staff by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in January 2017.

She served throughout Akufo-Addo’s eight-year presidency, leaving office in January 2025.

9. Julius Debrah

Period: January 2025 – present

President served: John Dramani Mahama

Profession: Politician

Julius Debrah returned as Chief of Staff in January 2025 after John Dramani Mahama returned to the presidency.

His reappointment marked his second stint in the position, following his earlier tenure from 2015 to 2017.

His return also means he is the only individual on the list to have served as Chief of Staff during two separate Mahama administrations.

The succession of Chiefs of Staff over the past three decades reflects changes in government and the different personalities selected to coordinate the work of the Presidency under successive administrations.

MRA/VPO

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