James Gunu

James Gunu is a Ghanaian politician, local governance specialist and communication professional born on 21 September 1972, who serves as the Volta Regional Minister in the government of President John Dramani Mahama. His appointment in January 2025 brought to the Volta Regional Coordinating Council a figure whose career had been shaped by both the practical work of district administration and the strategic demands of party organisation at the regional level.

Early career in local government

Gunu entered public administration through the district level, serving as the first District Chief Executive for the Akatsi North District after that district was created as part of Ghana's local government restructuring. In that role, he chaired the District Security Council and coordinated the delivery of development initiatives and community engagement programmes in a newly established district that required effective leadership from its outset. The experience gave him direct knowledge of the machinery of local governance and the relationships between district assemblies, regional administrations and central government that a regional minister must navigate.

NDC regional leadership

From 2018, Gunu served as the Regional Secretary of the National Democratic Congress for the Volta Region, a position that placed him at the centre of the party's strategic and organisational work in a region where the NDC has historically maintained strong support. As Regional Secretary he coordinated communication efforts, strengthened grassroots structures, managed internal party dynamics and contributed to the party's electoral performance in the Volta Region during the 2024 general elections that returned the NDC to government.

As Volta Regional Minister

President Mahama appointed him Volta Regional Minister in January 2025. The role gives him oversight of regional administration, development planning, inter-governmental coordination between the region's districts and the regional coordinating council, and the implementation of national policy priorities at the regional level. He swore in the region's Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives shortly after assuming office, calling publicly for integrity and innovation from the local government officials who would carry the development agenda to the community level.

Political Legacy

James Gunu's appointment as Volta Regional Minister rewarded a career that had moved methodically through the levels of Ghanaian governance, from district administration to regional party leadership to executive government. His dual background in local government management and NDC organisational work gave him a practical preparation for a role that demands both administrative competence and political judgement.