Dr.
Julius Debrah
Chief of Staff to the President of the Republic of Ghana
- In office
- Chief of Staff since 7 January 2025
- Born
- 24 April 1966, Eastern Region
- Education
- Achimota School; University of Ghana, PhD 2026
1966–1989
Early life
Julius Debrah was born on 24 April 1966 and grew up in Ghana’s Eastern Region. His father, James Debrah, worked in cocoa services and rose to Regional Cocoa Officer. His mother, Kate Opoku, was a trader and a transporter.
He studied at Mpraeso Secondary School, then at Achimota School, where he completed his A-levels in 1989. In July 2026 he returned to Achimota for the school’s centenary.
From 1989
Okaishie Market
After Achimota he went into business at Okaishie Market, in the heart of Accra.
He later studied archaeology and sociology at the University of Ghana, followed by a master’s degree in museums and heritage.
2005–2008
Party organiser
His political work began in the Eastern Region, as the National Democratic Congress’s Regional Propaganda Secretary. In 2005 he became the party’s Eastern Regional Chairman and led it there through to the election victory of 2008.
He commanded the executives in the Eastern Region not because they were afraid of him, but because they respected him.
2009–2013
Ghana Tourist Board
In 2009 he became Chief Executive of the Ghana Tourist Board. During his tenure, the Tourism Act of 2011 established the Ghana Tourism Authority.
2013–2015
Local Government
In 2013 and 2014 he served as Regional Minister for the Eastern Region and for Greater Accra. On 30 May 2014 he became Minister for Local Government and Rural Development.
His ministry led the national street-naming and house-numbering exercise and began National Sanitation Day. Within three months, the President later said, the names and numbers were in place across the country.
2015–2017
Chief of Staff
On 15 February 2015, President John Dramani Mahama appointed him Chief of Staff, the office that coordinates the work of the Presidency. He held it until 7 January 2017.
Since 2025
Chief of Staff, again
President-elect Mahama named him Chief of Staff once more ahead of his inauguration, and he returned to the office on 7 January 2025, the first day of the President’s second term.
July 2026
Doctor of Philosophy
Still serving as Chief of Staff, he received a PhD in Museum and Heritage Studies from the University of Ghana, one of 157 doctoral graduates that day. The President was in the hall.
I suspect he may now begin reminding me that every argument requires stronger evidence and that every quotation deserves a proper citation.
Beyond the office
Enterprise and sport
The Kwahu Business Forum, which he conceived with President Mahama, began in 2024. By April 2026 it had a home of its own, the Kwahu Business Village, and had reached its third edition.
In August 2025 he asked the Ghana Football Association for a national football museum, a home for the memories of the country’s great players.
April 2026
At sixty
His sixtieth birthday was marked with a thanksgiving service in Accra. The sermon took as its theme “The Importance of a Name.”
He’s efficient, he’s hardworking, he’s kind, he’s generous. Julius will share his last resource with anybody who comes up to him.
Grateful to everyone who supported this journey. The journey continues.
Short biography
Dr. Julius Debrah is Chief of Staff to the President of the Republic of Ghana, an office he has held since 7 January 2025 and previously from 2015 to 2017. He has served as Chief Executive of the Ghana Tourist Board, Regional Minister for the Eastern and Greater Accra Regions, and Minister for Local Government and Rural Development. He holds a PhD in Museum and Heritage Studies from the University of Ghana.
