President John Evans Atta Mills has appointed Mr John Henry Martey Newman, Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), as his Chief of Staff.
Mr Newman's appointment takes immediate effect, a release from the Office of the President signed by Mr Mahama Ayariga, Presidential Spokesperson, said on Tuesday.
Mr Newman graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in History, from the University of Ghana, Legon in 1969 and obtained Post-Graduate Diploma in Public Administration in 1971 from Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).
He was called to the Ghana Bar in 1976 having obtained a Bachelor of Law (LLB) Degree and a Barrister at Law (LB).
He worked with the Ministry of Finance and COCOBOD for over 30 years, becoming the CEO of the COCOBOD from 1996 to 2001.
Mr Newman was the Chairman of International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO) from 1998 to 1999 and Secretary General of Ghana Olympic Committee from 1985 to 1990.
Mr Newman is a Methodist; married to Professor Mrs Mercy Newman; has two daughters, a Lawyer and a Medical Officer, and two grandchildren.
His hobbies include reading. He played cricket for Ghana and West Africa and currently plays golf.