Nana Ansah Kwao IV, a traditional ruler and celebrated broadcaster, has landed a high-profile government appointment under President John Dramani Maha
Nana Ansah Kwao IV, a traditional ruler and celebrated broadcaster, has landed a high-profile government appointment under President John Dramani Mahama’s administration, following his inclusion on the newly inaugurated board of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF)—a critical vehicle for Ghana’s infrastructure financing and development.
At a brief ceremony in Accra on Tuesday, Deputy Minister of Finance, Thomas Ampem Nyarko, sworn-in the eight-member board charged with overseeing the operations and strategic direction of GIIF.
The move is part of the Mahama government’s renewed push to drive large-scale infrastructure projects across the country under its “Big Push” development agenda.
Nana Ansah Kwao IV—known in media circles as Kwaku Sintim-Misa, host of “That’s My Opinion” on Joy FM and Chief of Akwamu Adumasa—is one of several prominent figures appointed to the board, sparking debate over the increasing presence of politically aligned traditional leaders and media practitioners in state institutions.
Other board members are Franklin Mensah (Chairman), GIIF CEO Nana Dwemoh Benneh, Theresa Lardi Awuni, Dr. Eric Afful, Thomas Worlanyo Tsekpo, Harriet Anewenah, and Linda Quaynor.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Ampem Nyarko stated that the appointments reflect “government’s confidence in the competence and leadership” of the board members.
He tasked them with identifying and financing bankable infrastructure projects capable of attracting both local and international investors, noting that infrastructure remains at the core of Ghana’s sustainable economic development strategy.
Franklin Mensah, the board chairman, expressed gratitude to President Mahama and the Finance Ministry for the trust placed in the new team.
He promised a focused and accountable leadership style, stating, “This board will be performance-oriented and committed to delivering results.”
The Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) was first established in 2014 under President Mahama’s earlier term, as a sovereign investment initiative to support infrastructure development in key sectors such as transport, energy, housing, and water.
Despite its early promise, GIIF’s momentum slowed under the previous administration, with fewer project executions and funding constraints.
Now revitalized, the Fund is expected to play a central role in implementing the Mahama government’s “Big Push” agenda, which aims to close Ghana’s infrastructure gap and create thousands of jobs.
While the appointment of Nana Ansah Kwao IV is being hailed by some as a strategic inclusion of traditional leadership into national development planning, critics argue that it signals the increasing politicization of chieftaincy, especially when such roles come with state resources and influence.
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