National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Inusah Fuseini has downplayed the maiden ministerial reshuffle of Nana Akufo-Addo’s government, saying the President failed to listen to the concerns of Ghanaians and reduce the number of his appointees.
“It [reshuffle] lacks any strategic direction. It was just a game of musical chairs. A gap was created by the sacking of Boakye Agyarko and he had to move. Ghanaians have said that the size of government is huge. That some Ministries ought not to be created.
“People realistically expected that the President will listen to their call and reduce the number of Ministers and also collapse some Ministries but what do we see? Impunity at its highest,”said Inusah Fuseini on Citi FM‘s News Analysis Programme, The Big Issue.
[contextly_sidebar id=”QGMbQbHT10S9h4YsOlFntnTAg7qvkJiQ”]Mr. Fuseini further indicated that it was unconstitutional for the President to assign a Minister to the Office of the Vice President.
“The Zongo Minister has been moved to the office of the Vice President. You do not create a Ministry of State. It is the President who creates the Ministry of State.”
‘Unconstitutional appointment’
Member of Parliament for Builsa South, Dr. Clement Apaak had earlier expressed similar sentiments, arguing that the Office of the Vice President is not a unique entity but exists only because of the president and cannot thus be assigned a Minister.
“I think it is strange that for the first time in history of the fourth republic and for the first time that I can remember , a Minister has been designated to office of the Vice President. I think it must have been an error in communication. The Vice President is not an entity on his own. The presidency is owned by the President so to say that you are appointing a Minister to the office of the Vice President is against the nomenclature.
“Perhaps the director of communications at the office of the President may have gotten that wrong because it does not exist. Unless you want to tell me that the Vice Presidency is a unique entity devoid of the presidency where you can appoint a Minister to serve in office of the President. Anyone serving in the presidency is under the authority of the President and therefore cannot have a Minister assigned to his office.
Nana Addo ‘re-energizing’ Gov’t
Meanwhile governance Analyst, Dr. Eric Oduro-Osae has said the President’s decision to reshuffle his appointees will inject a fresh sense of urgency in his government.
“The President is getting his change now on the ground because he wants to re-energize his government to be able to deliver,” he said.
Below is the list of Ministers who have been reassigned
1. John Peter Amewu, former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and acting Minister for Energy, is now Minister for Energy;
2. Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh, former Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, is now Minister for Lands and Natural Resources;
3. Hon. Kofi Adda, Member of Parliament for Navrongo constituency and former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, is now Minister for Aviation;
4. Cecilia Abena Dapaah, former Minister for Aviation, is now Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources;
5. Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, former Minister for Information, is now Minister for Inner City and Zongo Development;
6. Hon. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Member of Parliament for Ofoase/Ayirebi constituency and former Deputy Minister for Information, is now Minister for Information designate;
7. Hon. Cynthia Morrison, Member of Parliament for Agona West constituency, is now Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection designate;
8. Paulina Tangoba Abayage, former Ambassador to Italy, is now Upper East Regional Minister designate;
9. Hon. Evans Opoku Bobie, Member of Parliament for Asunafo North constituency and former deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, is now Brong Ahafo Regional Minister designate;
10. Hon. Martin Oti Gyarko, Member of Parliament for Techiman North constituency, is now Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister designate;
11. Hon. Boniface Abubakar Saddique, Member of Parliament for Madina constituency and former Minister for Inner City and Zongo Development, is now Minister of State at the Office of the Vice President;
12. Rockson Bukari, former Upper East Regional Minister, is now Minister of State at the Office of the President;
13. Pius Enam Hadzide, former deputy Minister for Youth and Sports, is now Deputy Minister for Information;
14. Perry Curtis Okudzeto, former deputy Minister for Information, is now Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports;
15. Otiko Afisa Djaba, former Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, is now Ambassador-designate to Italy.
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By: Marian Ansah/citinewsroom.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah
