By: Ebenezer Adugyamfi & Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada
19 OCTOBER 2026
ACCRA, Ghana — Ghanaian engineer, diplomat and former Minister for Roads and Highways, Hon. Amin Amidu Sulemani, has been appointed Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), securing Ghana representation in one of the regional bloc’s key policy portfolios.
The appointment was confirmed as part of the new ECOWAS Commission leadership for the 2026–2030 term. Sulemani assumed the role under the leadership of Senegal’s General Birame Diop, who took office as President of the ECOWAS Commission during a handover ceremony in Abuja, Nigeria, on August 31, 2026.
Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the appointment, congratulating Sulemani and reaffirming its commitment to advocating for more Ghanaians to occupy senior positions in international organisations.
In its congratulatory message, the Ministry stated that it would continue “campaigning and advocating for many more Ghanaians to occupy high positions in international organisations” and wished the former minister success in his new assignment.
The appointment places Sulemani at the centre of regional efforts to improve transport infrastructure, strengthen energy cooperation and expand digital connectivity across West Africa.
An experienced engineer, legislator and diplomat
Sulemani brings more than three decades of experience in public service, with a career spanning engineering, parliamentary representation, regional administration, diplomacy and ministerial leadership.
According to his official ECOWAS biography, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and a Master’s degree in Development Management from the University of Ghana and the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).
His technical education and experience in government are relevant to a portfolio that requires coordination across infrastructure planning, regional transport systems, energy development and digital transformation.
Sulemani began his parliamentary career in the early 1990s, representing the former Sissala Constituency from 1993 to 2001. He subsequently returned to Parliament following the 2012 general elections, representing Sissala West.
His experience in Parliament gave him exposure to legislative processes, public policy and national development priorities.
Beyond the legislature, he served as Regional Minister for the Upper West and Upper East Regions, where his responsibilities included regional administration, decentralisation and development coordination.
Between 2009 and 2012, he also served as Ghana’s Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt, representing the country’s interests and contributing to diplomatic and bilateral relations.
In 2013, he was appointed Minister for Roads and Highways under President John Dramani Mahama’s administration. The position placed him in charge of policy leadership for Ghana’s road infrastructure sector, including the planning, development and maintenance of transport infrastructure.
His appointment to the ECOWAS Commission brings together his engineering background, political experience and diplomatic service in a role that extends beyond Ghana’s national borders.
What his new ECOWAS role entails
The Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation portfolio is one of the important departments within the ECOWAS Commission because it supports the physical and technological connections needed to advance regional integration.
The department oversees areas including transport, telecommunications and information technology, energy and mines, water resources, and the digital economy and postal services.
Under Sulemani’s leadership, the department will contribute to regional initiatives intended to improve connections between member states, encourage cooperation on energy matters and strengthen the digital infrastructure needed for economic development.
Transport and regional infrastructure
One of the department’s central responsibilities is supporting infrastructure projects that connect countries across West Africa.
Efficient roads, transport corridors and other cross-border infrastructure can reduce the time and cost involved in moving goods and people, improve access to markets and support regional trade.
For Ghana, stronger transport links with neighbouring countries are particularly important because of its position as a regional trading and logistics hub.
Better regional infrastructure can support businesses involved in imports and exports, improve the movement of agricultural produce and manufactured goods, and strengthen connections between communities along major trade routes.
ECOWAS has adopted a Regional Infrastructure Development Plan covering 2020–2045 to promote integrated infrastructure projects across the region. The plan is intended to align regional development priorities and improve connectivity among member states.
Sulemani’s department will be expected to contribute to advancing these objectives through regional coordination and the implementation of relevant programmes.
Energy cooperation and access
Energy is another major component of the commissioner’s responsibilities.
West African countries face varying challenges involving electricity access, reliability, infrastructure investment and the cost of energy. Cooperation between countries can help improve electricity exchanges, strengthen interconnected power systems and support more coordinated energy development.
The department works alongside regional institutions and agencies involved in electricity regulation, power pooling and renewable energy development.
These include the West African Power Pool, which supports electricity cooperation between countries, and the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority.
Improved regional energy infrastructure can help countries make better use of available electricity resources, support industrial activity and strengthen energy security.
However, achieving these benefits will depend on investment, effective coordination among member states and the successful implementation of regional projects.
Digitalisation and telecommunications
Digital development has become increasingly important to trade, education, public administration and business activity.
Through its digital economy and postal services directorate, the department supports regional efforts involving telecommunications, information technology and digital connectivity.
Stronger digital infrastructure can improve cross-border communication, facilitate digital commerce and help businesses reach customers beyond their domestic markets.
It can also support cooperation on digital services and create opportunities for innovation and technology-based enterprises.
For Ghana and other ECOWAS countries, expanding reliable digital connectivity is important to ensuring that businesses and communities can participate more fully in the regional and global digital economy.
Ghana’s representation in regional and international institutions
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ reaction to Sulemani’s appointment also highlighted the government’s stated intention to increase Ghanaian representation in international organisations.
Senior appointments in regional and international institutions provide opportunities for countries to contribute to policy discussions, institutional priorities and programmes that affect their interests.
For Ghana, Sulemani’s appointment provides representation in a department directly concerned with sectors that influence economic growth, trade and regional cooperation.
His experience in roads and highways administration may also provide useful insight into the challenges of planning, financing and maintaining infrastructure, although the responsibilities of his new position will involve coordinating regional priorities rather than managing Ghana’s domestic roads programme.
The Ministry’s pledge to continue advocating for qualified Ghanaians to occupy senior international positions signals an intention to sustain the country’s participation in regional and global decision-making.
Such representation can be valuable when it supports constructive cooperation, effective policy development and the advancement of shared interests.
A demanding regional assignment
Sulemani assumes his position at a time when infrastructure, energy access and digital connectivity remain important development priorities across West Africa.
Countries in the region need transport systems that support trade, reliable energy infrastructure that meets growing demand and digital networks that enable businesses and public institutions to operate more efficiently.
Delivering progress in these areas requires more than policy announcements. It involves mobilising financial resources, coordinating national governments, working with development partners and ensuring that regional projects produce measurable benefits.
The ECOWAS Commission’s broader regional integration agenda also depends on member states working together to overcome barriers that limit trade and economic cooperation.
Sulemani’s portfolio therefore carries responsibilities that extend across national boundaries and involve a range of public institutions, technical agencies and development stakeholders.
His performance will ultimately be assessed by the progress made in advancing the department’s objectives and supporting practical improvements in regional infrastructure, energy cooperation and digital development.
Looking ahead
Sulemani’s appointment marks another stage in a public-service career that has included parliamentary representation, regional administration, diplomatic service and national infrastructure leadership.
For Ghana, it provides an opportunity to contribute to the ECOWAS Commission’s work in sectors that are essential to West Africa’s economic integration and long-term development.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed its support for his new assignment and its intention to continue promoting Ghanaian candidates for senior positions in international organisations.
As he takes up his responsibilities, attention will turn to how the new leadership advances regional infrastructure programmes, strengthens energy cooperation and supports digital transformation across the ECOWAS community.
The broader challenge will be to translate regional plans and institutional cooperation into tangible improvements for businesses, communities and citizens throughout West Africa.
