Dominic Nitiwul

Nitiwul was elected to the parliament of Ghana in 2002 at the age of 25.[7] In his victory speech, he alluded to the fact that he wanted to be graded on the level of peace he would bring to the constituency.[7] This was due to the protracted tribal dispute between the Konkomba people and the Nanumba people.[7] He has served on many committees in both the Ghanaian parliament and the Pan-African Parliament. These include: Finance Committee, Monetary and Financial Affairs Committee, Business Committee, Appointment Committee, Youth and Sports Committee, Roads and Transport Committee, and Education Committee.[1] He was the Deputy Minority Leader of the Ghanaian Parliament from 2012 to 2016.[3][8][9]

Nitiwul won the 2016 Parliamentary elections for his constituency by defeating the National Democratic Congress candidate Dr Joseph Mamboah Rockson.[10] Prior to the elections Nitiwul had announced that he would win due to the fact that his opponent was not a native of the constituency and was not abreast with what was happening in the constituency; he also cited the numerous developmental projects he had undertaken. His opponent opined that Nitiwul had served for far too long and believed the constituents needed a new face.[10]

Nitiwul has embarked on developmental projects in Bamboi to better the lot of his constituents.[10] He had 69 boreholes drilled in various communities in his constituencies, and got the Electricity Company of Ghana to extend electricity to 16 communities. He built two clinics, twelve roads projects, and classroom blocks.[10]

Nitiwul has made the fight against illegal miners, known as galamseyers, one of his main objectives as Minister of Defence.[18] Illegal operators mine for precious metals in various parts of Ghana with little or no regard for the environment.[18] Several bodies of water in the country have dried up due to the environmental degradation caused by the mining, and drinking water has been polluted with harmful chemicals such as cyanide.[19] Previous governments had tried and failed to curb the illegal mining due to a lack of concerted effort. Working with the military high command of the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Nitiwul helped roll out measures to seize machinery, drive out the miners, and restore degraded lands in the country.[18]

When Major Maxwell Mahama was lynched in May 2017, Nitiwul promised that a thorough investigation would be initiated to identify and arrest the culprits.[20] Mahama had been mistaken for an armed robber and lynched by some inhabitants of Diaso.[21][22]

In May, 2017, President Nana Akufo-Addo named Dominic Nitiwul as part of nineteen ministers who would form his cabinet.[23] The names of the 19 ministers were submitted the Parliament of Ghana and announced by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Prof. Mike Ocquaye.[23] As a Cabinet minister, Nitiwul is part of the inner circle of the president and is to aid in key decision-making activities in the country.[23]