PH
Handing one out of four portfolios to women and changing the key justice, defence and foreign affairs posts which remain in male hands, the 73-year-old economist premier said “this is a fighting government with a mission.”
There are a total nine women among the 36-member cabinet, whose aim is to propel Ivory Coast to “emerging country” status by 2020 by investing €44bn, the premier said.
Their briefs include health, urban planning and education
President Alassane Ouattara, who late last year was re-elected for a second term in a ballot seen as cementing the country’s return to stability after years of turmoil, has pledged more jobs for the young, a fairer distribution of wealth and good governance.
Now 74, the former high-flying economist won a solid victory in the October elections.
Kablan Duncan is a respected member of Ivory Coast’s Democratic Party (PDCI), which was founded in the 1940s.
He took over as prime minister in November 2012.
