Mr. Samuel A. Jinapor (L) taking over from Alan Kyerematen at the Trade Ministry

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Mr. Samuel A. Jinapor has taken over from Alan Kyerematen as the caretaker Minister for Trade and Industry.

Mr. Kyerematen resigned from his position as Minister for Trade and Industry Minister last Thursday to pursue his dream of becoming the presidential candidate of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), a longtime ambition he has been chasing since 2007.

The former Trade and Industry Minister has since officially declared his intention to contest in the flagbearership race of the governing NPP for the 2024 general election.

His resignation took effect Monday 16 January, 2023 and at a brief handing over ceremony at the trade ministry, the former minister briefed Mr. Jinapor about the operations of the ministry and presented his handing over notes.

For his part, Jinapor said he will be committed to work with all stakeholders and partners to realise the vision of President Nana Akufo-Addo.

“Following my appointment by President Akufo-Addo as the caretaker Minister for Trade and Industry, I met with the former Minister, Hon. Alan Kyerematen, to receive briefing and handing over notes from him.

“I pledged my commitment to work with all stakeholders and partners to steer the affairs of this Ministry until a substantive minister is appointed,” Mr. Jinapor who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Damongo in the Savannah region tweeted after the handing over.

It would be recalled that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo directed Lands and Natural Resources Minister to assume responsibility as Trade and Industry Minister effective January 16, 2023 pending the appointment of a substantive person.

This was contained in a statement from the Director of Communications at the Office of the President, Mr. Eugene Arhin.

In an earlier statement, the President tasked the Minister for Finance, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta to act as the caretaker Minister at the Trade Ministry but the move was later terminated.