Dr Callistus Mahama currently holds the position of Executive Secretary to President John Dramani Mahama, having been appointed on January 7, 2025.

He is a significant figure in the 2025 transitional team, responsible for managing critical issues such as the revocation of municipal chief executive appointments and engaging in public discourse surrounding presidential air travel in March 2026.

Early Life and Education:

Born and raised in Tamale, in the Northern Region of Ghana, Dr Mahama is a native of Kpembe/Salaga in the Savannah Region.

His academic journey began in local schools in Tamale, where he excelled and developed a keen interest in local governance and community development.

Dr Mahama has attained advanced academic qualifications from prestigious institutions in both Ghana and the United Kingdom:

- Ph.D. in Land Law from the University of Cambridge, UK.

- MPhil in Land Economy (Postgraduate) from the University of Cambridge.

- BSc in Land Economy (Undergraduate) from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, Ghana.

Following his studies, he returned to KNUST, serving as a lecturer in the Department of Land Economy from 2004 to 2007 before fully committing to a career in public service.

Political Career:

Dr Callistus Mahama is a prominent figure within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and a close political ally of President John Dramani Mahama.

Although primarily an administrator, his political journey showcases significant loyalty and strategic involvement within the NDC government.

• Executive Secretary to the President: Appointed on January 7, 2025, after the NDC's electoral victory in 2024. In this role, he acts as the primary administrator for the presidency, issuing major directives such as the revocation of all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executive (MMDCE) appointments in January 2025.

• Secretary to the 2024 Presidential Transition Team: Before assuming his current office, he was appointed by then-President-elect John Dramani Mahama to lead the team responsible for managing the peaceful transfer of power.

• Decentralisation Architect: Dr Mahama is recognised as a bipartisan expert who significantly contributed to Ghana's National Decentralisation Policy Framework. He previously held the position of Head of the Local Government Service until 2017.

Political Affiliation and Influence:

• Loyalty to John Mahama: He is often described as a "loyal servant" who consistently supported John Mahama throughout the opposition period from 2017 to 2024.

• Northern Region Influence: As a native of Salaga and born in Tamale, Dr Mahama possesses considerable influence in Northern Ghana, and his appointment was celebrated as a significant milestone for the Salaga South Constituency.

• Public Defense of the Presidency: In March 2026, he played a prominent role defending the administration amid criticism regarding presidential travel, clarifying that the use of a private jet was a cost-saving measure, and announcing plans for acquiring a new state aircraft by November 2026 to address ongoing debates.

Employment:

As of March 2026, Dr Callistus Mahama serves as the Executive Secretary to the President of Ghana under President John Dramani Mahama, a position he has held since January 7, 2025.

His career encompasses diverse roles in academia, private practice, and senior public service.

Current Role (2025–Present):

He is the current Executive Secretary to the President

Connected to key administrative actions, including:

• Revoking appointments of all MMDCEs (January 2025).

• Announcing government plans to expand the presidential aircraft fleet by November 2026.

• Implementing a major policy to suspend post-retirement contract appointments in the public service from April 2025.

Recent and Previous Public Service:

• Secretary to the 2024 Transition Team: Appointed in December 2024 to facilitate a smooth governmental transition after the elections.

• Head of the Local Government Service (2013–2017): Responsible for a workforce of approximately 45,000 personnel and overseeing the implementation of Ghana’s National Decentralisation Policy.

• Coordinator of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee (IMCC) (2011–2017): Served as the Executive Secretary, coordinating decentralisation initiatives.

• Institute of Local Government Studies (2006–2013): Worked as Deputy Director and led both the Accra (2009–2013) and Tamale (2006–2009) campuses.

Academic and Early Career:

• Lecturer at KNUST (2004–2007): Hired in the Department of Land Economy, educating future professionals in the field before transitioning to public service.

Personal Life:

Dr Callistus Mahama is married and is a father of two children.

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