Joseph Yieleh Chireh

Joseph Yieleh Chireh
Born	(1954-07-08) July 8, 1954 Lassia-Tuolu, Upper West Region, Ghana
Occupation(s)	Pharmacist, Lawyer, Diplomat, Politician
Years active	1979–present
Known for	Chairman of Pharmacy Council Ghana; Member of Parliament for Wa West Constituency; Minister for Health; Minister for Local Government and Rural Development; Ambassador to Algeria

Joseph Yieleh Chireh (born 8 July 1954) is a distinguished Ghanaian professional with expertise in pharmacy, law, diplomacy, and politics. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Pharmacy Council Ghana, a position to which he was appointed by President John Dramani Mahama in May 2025. From January 2014 until February 2020, he led the board of FBNBank Ghana, a subsidiary affiliated with First Bank of Nigeria. Chireh was the parliamentary representative for the Wa West Constituency during the 4th through 7th Parliaments of Ghana’s Fourth Republic, holding office from January 2005 to January 2021. Additionally, he was a Member of the Pan-African Parliament between May 2017 and January 2021.

During President John Evans Atta Mills’ administration, Chireh held ministerial appointments including Minister for Health from January 2011 to March 2012 and Minister for Local Government and Rural Development from February 2009 through January 2011.

Under the leadership of President Jerry John Rawlings, he served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Algeria, with concurrent accreditation to Tunisia, Mauritania, and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic from July 1997 until March 2001. Prior to this diplomatic role, he was Minister for the Upper West Region between March 1993 and March 1997. During the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) era, his responsibilities included serving as PNDC Secretary at the Secretariat from May 1985 to January 1993 and as PNDC Secretary for the Upper West Region from March 1983 to May 1985.

Early Life and Education

Born in Lassia-Tuolu, a village located in Ghana's Upper West Region, Chireh attended Navrongo Senior High School in the neighboring Upper East Region between 1968 and 1975. He successfully obtained both Ordinary and Advanced Level certificates administered by the West African Examination Council.

He pursued higher education at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, enrolling in 1975 and earning a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree in 1979. Subsequently, he qualified as a legal professional after completing studies at the Ghana School of Law in 2006.

Prior to embarking on his political career, Chireh held key pharmaceutical positions including Pharmacist-in-charge at Agogo Presbyterian Hospital from 1979 to 1981 and Superintendent Pharmacist at F.K. Ampadu Pharmacy in Adabraka from 1981 until 1983.

2004 General Elections

In the 2004 Ghanaian general election, Chireh secured victory in the newly established Wa West constituency representing the opposition party, the NDC. He achieved over two-thirds of valid ballots cast, receiving a total of 13,256 votes, which accounted for approximately 66.3%. His closest competitor, Major Edward Yirimambo (Rtd) of the NPP, obtained 6,071 votes or about 30.4%. Chireh officially took office on 7 January 2005.

Results of the 2004 Parliamentary Election for Wa West (Ghana parliament constituency)

Candidate	Party	Votes	Percentage
Joseph Yieleh Chireh ✅	NDC	13,256	66.3
Maj. Edward Yirimambo (Rtd)	NPP	6,071	30.4
Matthew Saa-ih Vaari	PNC	653	3.3
Total Valid Votes		19,980	100

2008 General Elections

In the 2008 Ghanaian parliamentary election, Chireh successfully defended his parliamentary seat by obtaining 10,468 votes, which accounted for 49.97% of the total. His closest rivals included Major Edward Yirimambo (Rtd), an independent candidate who received 5,541 votes (26.45%), and Dari Daniel Kuusongno representing the NPP, who secured 4,455 votes (21.27%). Throughout the 5th Parliament, Chireh was a member of both the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Employment, Social Welfare and State Enterprises Committee.

2008 Wa West Parliamentary Election Results

Candidate	Party	Votes	%
Joseph Yieleh Chireh ✅	NDC	10,468	49.97
Maj. Edward Yirimambo (Rtd)	Independent	5,541	26.45
Dari Daniel Kuusongno	NPP	4,455	21.27
Iddrisu Ibrahim	PNC	243	1.16
John Zooyari	CPP	241	1.15
Total Valid Votes		20,948	100

2012 General Elections

Chireh maintained his parliamentary position in the 2012 elections by securing 16,368 votes, representing 57.71% of the ballots cast. He defeated Adams Nuhu Timbile of the New Patriotic Party, who obtained 9,918 votes or 34.97%.

2012 Wa West Parliamentary Election Results

Candidate	Party	Votes	%
Joseph Yieleh Chireh ✅	NDC	16,368	57.71
Nuhu Timbile Adams	NPP	9,918	34.97
Felix Sortul Pigru	PPP	1,744	6.15
Dare Waribata	NDP	333	1.17
Total Valid Votes		28,363	100
2016 General Elections In the 7th Parliament elections held in 2016, Chireh earned a fourth consecutive term by winning 12,658 votes, making up 42.53% of the total votes cast. He outpaced independent candidate Patrick Bandanaa who received 8,765 votes (29.58%) and Dari Daniel Kuusongno of the NPP who garnered 7,357 votes (24.83%). During this tenure, Chireh contributed as a member of the Subsidiary Legislation Committee as well as the Local Government and Rural Development and Appointments Committees. 2016 Wa West Parliamentary Election Results Candidate Party Votes % Joseph Yieleh Chireh ✅ NDC 12,603 42.53 Patrick Bandanaa Independent 8,765 29.58 Dari Daniel Kuusongno NPP 7,357 24.83 Felix Sortul Pigru PPP 448 1.51 Jargu Issahaku Sanda CPP 279 0.94 Dare Waribata NDP 181 0.61 Total Valid Votes 29,633 100 Service at the Pan-African Parliament From May 2017 until January 2021, Yieleh Chireh was one of five representatives from the Parliament of Ghana serving in the Pan-African Parliament. During this period, he was a member of the Committee on Health, Labour and Social Affairs. Parliamentary Committee Involvement Throughout his more than sixteen years as the Member of Parliament for Wa West, Yieleh Chireh participated in numerous standing and select committees. Notably, he held the position of Chairman of the Ghana-China Parliamentary Friendship Association between 2018 and 2021, and chaired the Committee on Health from 2013 to 2017. He also served as Ranking Member on the Committee on Health from 2017 to 2019. His parliamentary committee contributions extended to Appointments, Local Government, Subsidiary Legislation, Foreign Affairs, Trade, Industry and Tourism, as well as Employment. Parliamentary Committee Roles Role Committee Start End Chairman Ghana-China Parliamentary Friendship Association 2018 2021 Member Ghana-France Parliamentary Friendship Association 2018 2021 Member Committee on Appointments 2013 2021 Member Committee on Local Government 2009 2021 Member Committee on Subsidiary Legislation 2005 2021 Ranking Member Committee on Health 2017 2019 Chairman Committee on Health 2013 2017 Deputy Ranking Member Committee on Subsidiary Legislation 2013 2017 Member Committee on Employment, Social Welfare and State Enterprises 2009 2013 Member Committee on Foreign Affairs 2008 2013 Ranking Member Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism 2008 2009 Chairmanship of Pharmacy Council Ghana Governing Board In May 2025, Yieleh Chireh was appointed by President John Dramani Mahama to serve as Chairman of the Governing Board of the Pharmacy Council Ghana. The board received its official oath from Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh. Health Ministry Leadership On 4 January 2011, President John Evans Atta Mills appointed Yieleh Chireh as Minister for Health. He held this cabinet position until January 2012 when Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin succeeded him. Throughout his term, he represented Ghana at various international health conferences and spearheaded significant national health programs. Minister for Local Government Appointment In February 2009, President John Atta Mills named him Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, a role that included membership in the Cabinet of Ghana. Ambassadorial Role in Algeria In July 1997, President Jerry John Rawlings designated Yieleh Chireh as Ghana's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Algeria. His diplomatic responsibilities also covered Tunisia, the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, and Mauritania until January 2001. Upper West Regional Ministerial Position After joining the NDC at its founding in 1992, he was appointed Upper West Regional Minister by President Rawlings in February 1993. PNDC Secretary at the PNDC Secretariat Between 1985 and 1986, Chireh held the position of Acting Political Counselor for the Committees of the Defence of the Revolution (CDR) while simultaneously acting as Secretary for the National Commission for Democracy (NCD), where he managed voter registration, election processes, and delineation of electoral boundaries. From 1986 until 1993, he chaired the Confiscated Assets Committee (CAC). In 1991, PNDC Chairman Rawlings appointed him as Chairman of the Procurement Taskforce. In this capacity, he oversaw inquiries into procurement irregularities within major Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), including the Ministry of Health and Volta River Authority, continuing until 1993. PNDC Secretary for the Upper West Region In March 1983, Rawlings designated him as the inaugural PNDC Secretary for the newly established Upper West Region. He served in this role until May 1985 when he was transferred to the PNDC Secretariat located in Accra. Chairman of FBNBank Ghana Yieleh Chireh served as the chairman of the board for FBNBank Ghana, a subsidiary of First Bank of Nigeria, completing two consecutive three-year terms from January 2014 through February 2020. His chairmanship ended following the Bank of Ghana's Corporate Governance Directive that imposed limits on term durations. Pharmacy Council Since 1981, Chireh has maintained registration as a Pharmacist with the Ghana Pharmacy Council. Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) He has been affiliated with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana since 1981 and was elevated to fellow status in 2011. Ghana Bar Association (GBA) After being called to the bar in Ghana in 2006, Chireh has been an active member of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA). West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP) Chireh attained fellowship with the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP) in 2012. Personal life Chireh practices the Catholic faith and is married with four children. See also Rawlings government List of Mills government ministers Wa West constituency External links Profile on Parliament of Ghana website