Introduction
Wilbert Petty Brentum is a Ghanaian chartered accountant, mining industry professional, and politician who currently serves as the Western North Regional Minister. Appointed by President John Dramani Mahama in January 2025, he assumed office on 11 February 2025, bringing to the role a distinctive combination of financial expertise, regulatory experience in the mining sector, and grassroots political organising within the National Democratic Congress . A native of Aowin, Brentum has prioritised investment promotion, infrastructure delivery, environmental protection, and disaster preparedness in a region endowed with cocoa, gold, timber, and bauxite resources .
Quick Facts About Wilbert Petty Brentum
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Wilbert Petty Brentum |
| Nationality | Ghanaian |
| Hometown | Aowin, Western North Region |
| Profession | Chartered Accountant; mining industry professional; politician |
| Current position | Western North Regional Minister (since February 2025) |
| Political party | National Democratic Congress (NDC) |
| Key previous roles | Western North Regional Treasurer, NDC; Assembly Member, Juaboso Electoral Area |
| Known for | Western North Regional Minister; investment promotion; anti-galamsey enforcement; disaster management |
Who Is Wilbert Petty Brentum?
Wilbert Petty Brentum is a public official whose professional background sets him apart from many of his peers in regional administration. Described in official nomination records as a “seasoned politician, chartered accountant, and local government professional with extensive experience in regulatory roles in the mining industry,” he combines financial oversight credentials with direct knowledge of one of Ghana’s most sensitive economic sectors . Before his ministerial appointment, he served as the Western North Regional Treasurer of the NDC and as an Assembly Member in the Juaboso Electoral Area of the Juaboso District, giving him both party organisational experience and ground-level familiarity with local governance.
Professional Background
Brentum’s career has spanned technical, managerial, and regulatory functions within Ghana’s mining industry, according to profiles published at the time of his nomination . His chartered accountancy qualification positions him to oversee regional financial administration and revenue mobilisation, while his mining sector experience is directly relevant to the Western North Region, where illegal small-scale mining and resource governance are persistent governance challenges. BBC News Pidgin described him as a “chartered accountant, politician and business person wey get experience for di mining industry for Ghana” .
Appointment and Assumption of Office
President Mahama announced Brentum’s nomination as Western North Regional Minister-designate on 16 January 2025, as part of a batch of six regional ministerial nominees . He formally assumed office at the Western North Regional Coordinating Council on 11 February 2025. His nomination was reported alongside those of Joseph Nelson for the Western Region and Eduamoah Ekow Panyin Okyere for the Central Region.
Investment Promotion and Economic Development
Brentum has positioned the Western North Region as an investment destination, highlighting its natural resource endowment. At a Regional Investment Forum organised under the Nationwide Investment Opportunity Mapping Project, he cited cocoa, gold, palm nut, timber, bauxite, cassava, avocado, and plantain as key resources with strong potential for value addition and industrial development. He also emphasised the region’s youthful population as a “vibrant and energetic workforce” for investors, and announced plans to establish a Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) office in the region to facilitate investment . The forum brought together the GIPC, the Ghana Free Zones Authority, Municipal and District Chief Executives, and traditional authorities.
Infrastructure and the “Big Push” Agenda
Road infrastructure has featured prominently in Brentum’s oversight work. The Western North Regional Coordinating Council has reported that he expressed confidence in the progress of ongoing “Big Push” road projects, describing them as set to transform the local economy . In September 2026, he inspected development projects in the Aowin Municipality and Suaman District, urging contractors to intensify work and adhere to agreed timelines, while stressing quality and accountability in the execution of government projects. The inspected projects included educational infrastructure and a 24-Hour Economy Market project.
Environmental Protection and Anti-Galamsey Efforts
Brentum has taken a visible stance against illegal mining and environmental degradation. In May 2025, he stated that a task force would be established in the region to monitor the activities of illegal chainsaw and galamsey operators, particularly in forest areas, to help save the environment from destruction. He also committed to collaborating with traditional authorities and other stakeholders in the fight against illegal mining .
In June 2026, he launched the 2026 Tree for Life Initiative in the region, disclosing that the Western North Region had been tasked to plant 1.8 million trees as part of a national target of 30 million. Speaking at the launch, he emphasised that forests remain “a critical pillar of the country’s economy, supporting livelihoods, protecting biodiversity, and contributing significantly to climate change mitigation,” and urged communities, schools, and institutions to take ownership of planted trees to ensure their survival .
Disaster Management and Emergency Services
In February 2026, Brentum inaugurated the Western North Regional Disaster Management Committee, which he chairs, comprising representatives from the Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Health Service, and the Regional Coordinating Director, among others. He urged members to identify hotspots and risks, prepare disaster prevention plans, and coordinate district efforts under Act 927, emphasising the committee’s direct impact on lives .
He has also supported the expansion of emergency medical services. In July 2026, he pledged to facilitate office accommodation for the National Ambulance Service in all districts and directed NAS officials to work with the RCC’s Technical and Planning Departments to map existing and proposed ambulance stations . He expressed readiness to support Basic Life Support and safety training programmes for stakeholders in hospitality, transport, timber processing, small-scale mining, banking, and community volunteer groups.
Public Services and Regional Development
Brentum has overseen the delivery of decentralised public services. In January 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration reported the commissioning of a Passport Application Centre in Sefwi Wiawso, with Brentum describing the facility as a “major milestone” that brings passport services closer to residents and encouraging officers to uphold professionalism, integrity, and transparency .
He has also chaired high-level stakeholder engagements on the establishment of a university in the Western North Region, and overseen the signing of 24-Hour Economy Market construction contracts by Municipal and District Chief Executives.
Political Affiliation and Perspective
Brentum is a member of the NDC and served as the party’s Western North Regional Treasurer before his ministerial appointment . In May 2025, he praised President Mahama’s first 120 days in office, citing the abolition of the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) and betting tax, and the launch of initiatives intended to enhance job opportunities for the youth, as evidence of the government’s commitment to “reset Ghana and build the Ghana we want together” .
Frequently Asked Questions About Wilbert Petty Brentum
Who is Wilbert Petty Brentum?
Wilbert Petty Brentum is the Western North Regional Minister of Ghana, appointed by President John Dramani Mahama in January 2025. He is a chartered accountant with extensive experience in the mining industry and a former NDC Western North Regional Treasurer.
What position does Wilbert Petty Brentum hold?
He is the Western North Regional Minister, having assumed office on 11 February 2025.
Where is Wilbert Petty Brentum from?
He is a native of Aowin in the Western North Region of Ghana.
What is Wilbert Petty Brentum’s professional background?
He is a chartered accountant, local government professional, and mining expert with decades of experience in technical, managerial, and regulatory roles in the mining industry.
Which political party does Wilbert Petty Brentum belong to?
He is a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and served as the party’s Western North Regional Treasurer .
What are Wilbert Petty Brentum’s priorities as Regional Minister?
His priorities include investment promotion, infrastructure delivery under the Big Push agenda, combating illegal mining and deforestation, disaster preparedness, and expanding emergency medical services.
Is Wilbert Petty Brentum married?
Reliable publicly available information about his marital status is limited
Source: The Accra Daily Mail
Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of The Accra Daily Mail, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
