The Minister for MESTI, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie is a Medical Doctor by profession and has previously served as Minister of the Ministries of Health, Lands and Natural Resources, Western Regional Minister, and Minister of State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA) at various stages of his political career.

As a former Minister of Health from 2001 to 2005, Dr. Afriyie led the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme, from concept, through legislation, to implementation.