Julius Debrah (born 24 April 1966)[1] is a Ghanaian politician and former chief of staff[2] to the former President of Ghana John Dramani Mahama.[3][1] He is a member of the National Democratic Congress. In February 2015, he was appointed chief of staff after the former, Prosper Douglas Bani was removed from office and assigned to as Ambassador Extraordinaire and Plenipotentiary.[4][5] Debrah previously held the positions of Minister of Local Government and Rural Development and Regional Minister for Eastern Region.[5]
Hon. Julius Debrah | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Chief of Staff | |
| In office February 2015 – January 2017 | |
| President | John Dramani Mahama |
| Preceded by | Prosper Douglas Bani |
| Succeeded by | Frema Opare |
| Minister of Local Government and Rural Development | |
| In office June 2014 – February 2015 | |
| President | John Dramani Mahama |
| Preceded by | Akwasi Oppong Fosu |
| Succeeded by | Collins Dauda |
| Eastern Regional Minister | |
| In office March 2014 – May 2014 | |
| Succeeded by | Antwi Boasiako Sekyere |
| Greater Accra Regional | |
| In office March 2013 – March 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Joshua Nii Laryea Afotey-Agbo |
| Succeeded by | Joshua Nii Laryea Afotey-Agbo |
| Eastern Regional Minister | |
| In office February 2013 – March 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Victor Emmanuel Smith |
| Succeeded by | Helen Ntoso |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 April 1966 Ghana |
| Political party | NDC |
| Profession | Politician and Social Developer |
Education edit
Debrah studied at Mpraeso Secondary School then moved to Achimota Secondary School for A Levels from 1987 to 1989. Following this, he gained admission to the University of Ghana where he obtained Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology and Sociology.[2]
Politics edit
As Parliamentary Candidate edit
In The 2000 Ghana Elections he stood as a parliamentary candidate in the Suhum (Ghana parliament constituency) and lost to Ransford Agyapong the New Patriotic Party candidate by gaining 12,368 of the votes cast representing 41.20% whilst the winner got 16,494 votes representing 54.90%.[6] In 2004 he once again stood for the parliamentary seat in the Suhum (Ghana parliament constituency) and lost to the New Patriotic Party's Frederick Opare-Ansah who got a 21,720 votes representing 55.20% against his 17,125 votes representing 43.50%.[7]
In 2012 when his party was in power he once again stood for the parliamentary candidate for the Suhum (Ghana parliament constituency) seat and lost by 388 votes the closest he had come in the three times he had stood for the parliamentary seat. He lost to the incumbent rival from the 2004 Elections Frederick Opare-Ansah, who got 24,046 votes representing 49.28% whilst he got 23,658 representing 48.49%.[8]
Ghana Tourism Authority edit
In 2009 he was appointed as the chief executive officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority.[9][10] He served in that role from 2009 to January 2013. In mid 2011, under his leadership and the Ministry of Tourism, the then Ghana Tourist Board was reshaped into the Ghana Tourism Authority to enhance its role in promoting tourism in Ghana through the Parliament of Ghana's passage of ACT 817.[1]
Minister of State edit
Regional Minister edit
In February 2013 Debrah was nominated by John Dramani Mahama to serve in the position of Eastern Regional Minister.[11] After a month he was moved from Eastern Region to the capital region Greater Accra to serve as the Greater Accra Regional Minister.[12][13]
[14] He served in that role for year and was seen as someone championing the involvement of the local government in nation building.[14][15]
"Governance is about satisfying the needs of the people. This makes local government highly influential since it is basically practiced at the grass-roots level”.
– Debrah on the importance of Local government in nation building during his maiden visit to the Kpone Katamanso District Assembly on 24 April 2013.[16]
Minister for Local Government and Rural Development edit
Debrah was appointed to serve as Minister in charge of Local Government and Rural Development after serving as regional minister for both Greater Accra Region and Eastern Region.[17] This was seen by experts as a move to ensure the massive involvement of the local authorities and people in decision making and nation building.[18]
Chief of Staff edit
In 2015, February, Julius Debrah was appointed Chief of Staff by President John Dramani Mahama to replace Prosper Bani after serving as the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development the one year prior.[19][5][20] Debrah's appointment was received with joy by members of the National Democratic Congress.[20]
Personal life edit
A native of Obomeng Kwahu, Debrah is married with two children.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c "Chief Of Staff Julius Debrah Is 50 Today". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ a b "New team at Flagstaff House". Graphic Online. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ "Prez Mahama removes Bani, appoints Debrah as Chief of Staff". Graphic Online. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
- ^ "Mahama fires Prosper Bani, appoints Julius Debrah as Chief of Staff". Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always. 16 February 2015. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ a b c Amponsah, Charles. "President Mahama Names Julius Debrah As Chief Of Staff". Gbc Ghana. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ FM, Peace. "Ghana Election 2000 Results - Suhum Constituency". Ghana Elections - Peace FM. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ FM, Peace. "Ghana Election 2004 Results - Suhum Constituency". Ghana Elections - Peace FM. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ FM, Peace. "Ghana Election 2012 Results - Suhum Constituency". Ghana Elections - Peace FM. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
- ^ "GTB adopts measures to improve tourism". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
- ^ "Accolades pour in for Julius Debrah". Ghanaweb. 24 February 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
- ^ Online, Peace FM. "Prez Mahama Names Two More Regional Ministers". Peacefmonline - Ghana news. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
- ^ "Reshuffling Regional Ministers all too soon is impolitic". MyJoyOnline. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
- ^ "Greater Accra Regional Minister tours Latex Foam". Graphic Online. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
- ^ a b "Local governance key to development — Debrah". Graphic Online. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
- ^ "Greater Accra Minister meets regional heads of department". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
- ^ "'Local governance key to development — Debrah | graphic.com". www.graphic.com.gh. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
- ^ "Julius Debrah replaces Local Govt Minister". Graphic Online. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
- ^ Online, Peace FM. "Julius Debrah Has Clout For Local Governance - Kyei Baffour". peacefmonline. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
- ^ "Update: Prosper Bani out, Julius Debrah in, as new Chief of Staff". MyJoyOnline. 15 February 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
- ^ a b Adjorlolo, Ruth Abla. "Eastern Regional NDC Parliamentary caucus congratulates Debrah". Gbc Ghana. Retrieved 4 December 2020.