Late Alhaji Mohammed-Muniru Limuna (Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator)
Mohammed-Muniru Limuna was a distinguished Ghanaian public servant, statesman, and administrator whose life was characterised by duty, humility, philanthropy, and an unwavering dedication to the worship of Allah, national service, and human development.
Born on 8th August 1967 in Wa, in the Upper East region of Ghana, to Alhaji Langa Limuna and Hajia Hawa Soale, he was the second of six children. His life journey exemplified perseverance, leadership, and excellence in public administration, political governance and community service.
From a modest beginning at United Primary School in Tamale (1972–1977), he pursued his education with relentless commitment. He obtained his Junior Secondary School Certificate from Vitting Experimental Junior Secondary School (1977–1980), followed by GCE Ordinary Level certification at Damongo Secondary School (1980–1984).
He continued to Tamale Secondary School (1986–1988) for his GCE Advanced Level before enrolling at the University of Ghana, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities (1990–1993).
Driven by a passion for public service and good governance, he further acquired a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) in April 2005.
His pursuit of higher learning took him abroad, where he earned an MSc in Health Policy, Planning, and Financing from the University of London’s London School of Economics (2006–2007) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Policy, Planning, and Financing from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (2007–2008).
With over 28 years of cumulative public service experience—13 of which were at the highest levels of administration and leadership—Hon. Limuna played vital roles in transforming public institutions and promoting inclusive development.
As Minister for Food and Agriculture (January 2016–January 2017), he led strategic reforms to boost food security and agricultural modernization and laid the foundations for the current Ghana Incentive-Based Risk-Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (GIRSAL) in partnership with the Bank of Ghana.
He also spearheaded conceptualization of the Farm Service Centers concept to provide mechanization, credit, extension services, and market access to farmers.
While this could not be accomplished before the erstwhile NDC government lost power in 2016, it found its way into the NDC’s manifestos, subsequently becoming a pivotal policy in the current Presidency of President Mahama for the transformation of the agricultural sector.
Between 1995 and 1996, he served as the Organizing Secretary of the National Service Personnel Association, demonstrating early leadership and commitment to the development of young professionals.
He later became the Campaign Coordinator for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2016 elections in the Northern Region and has since served as a member of the Council of Elders of the NDC party in the Savannah Region.
His earlier tenure as Northern Regional Minister (2014–2016) and Upper East Regional Minister (2013–2014) was equally transformative.
As Chairman of the respective Regional Security Councils, he led peace-building initiatives that resolved long-standing ethnic and chieftaincy conflicts in areas such as Nankpanduri, Bawku, and the Builsa traditional area.
His leadership culminated in the historic 2014 Damba festival between the Andani and Abudu royal gates in Yendi, marking a significant step in the Dagbon peace process.
He also supervised the construction of six traditional homes as part of that roadmap to peace and tackled social issues such as cybercrime in the region.
As Minister of State in Charge of Scholarships and Human Resource Development (2013–2014), Hon. Limuna spearheaded reforms in scholarship administration and was instrumental in the development of Ghana’s national human resource policy.
His contributions extended to the health sector, where he served in multiple roles, including as Administrator and Health Policy Adviser to the Minister of Health, Project Coordinator for the Health Insurance Project at the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), and NHIS Focal Officer at the Ministry of Health’s Policy Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Directorate.
Notably, he played a lead role in the nationwide computerization of the NHIS and the establishment of District Mutual Health Insurance Schemes (DMHIS), which enhanced health coverage and efficiency across the country.
His earlier administrative roles included serving as Assistant Director of Administration at both the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Works and Housing.
In these capacities, he helped manage resources, prepared strategic plans and budgets, and liaised with the Ministry of Finance and other stakeholders on contract and project execution.
Hon. Limuna’s expertise extended beyond national borders. He represented Ghana at numerous international conferences and high-level policy forums, including the Pre-UN General Assembly Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance in London (2016), the China-Africa Local Government Cooperation Forum in Beijing (2015), and engagements organized by the World Bank, Harvard School of Public Health, UNIDO, and GIMPA.
He also attended several professional development programs, including courses in project planning, public procurement, consultancy services, governance, and health financing.
A devout Muslim, Hon. Alhaji Limuna sponsored and facilitated the construction of dozens of mosques across the country and sponsored hundreds of Muslims to undertake the Hajj pilgrimage. He was also a committed philanthropist.
Through the Tamawuta Foundation—which he established—he sponsored the education of many individuals at various levels, paid medical bills for the sick, provided potable water to underserved communities, and organized health screenings and treatments for countless people.
In the final chapter of his distinguished career, he assumed the position of Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator only a few weeks prior to his passing and was committed to diligently and faithfully executing his duties. Tragically, his dedicated service was cut short by his untimely passing on 6th August 2025.
He is fondly remembered as principled yet lighthearted, respected for his time consciousness, solution-oriented nature, and proactiveness in addressing the challenges facing the youth.
He was instrumental in facilitating scholarships for higher education for many and mentored countless young people, particularly from the Northern part of Ghana.
In his youthful years, he was a skillful and energetic dancer, earning the nickname “Kisco Darling.” He led and won many dancing competitions in Tamale and Damongo, forming some of his most enduring friendships during that vibrant period of his life.
A man of remarkable intellect, integrity, and empathy, Hon. Limuna was widely respected for his ability to blend policy knowledge with pragmatic leadership.
His approach to governance was anchored in inclusiveness, conflict resolution, and sustainable development.
He was not only a technocrat and public manager but also a statesman who prioritized the well-being of the most vulnerable, especially in rural communities.
Outside of his public roles, he was married to Hajia Zahara Ligbi. He was a devoted husband and a loving father to four children.
Those who knew him personally speak of his humility, kindness, and deep sense of responsibility.
In Hon. Mohammed-Muniru Limuna, Ghana found a servant leader—one who served with
vision, led with wisdom, and governed with heart.
His legacy remains one of peace, reform, and transformation. His contributions will continue to inspire generations of public servants and leaders.
May his soul rest in perfect peace.
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