President Akufo-Addo has announced the reshuffling of his Cabinet. The announcement was contained in a letter he wrote to the Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, pursuant to some provisions of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.
The reshuffle is mainly the replacement of ministers who have either resigned to pursue their presidential ambitions or based on ill health.
Reading the letter at yesterday’s sitting, which was the first sitting of the First Meeting in the Third Session of the Eighth Parliament, Speaker Bagbin noted that the Member of Parliament (MP) for Adansi Asokwa, Mr. K.T. Hammond, has been appointed Minister-designate for Trade and Industry. He will replace Mr. Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen who resigned to pursue his flagbeareship ambition.
The MP for Abetifi, Mr. Brian Acheampong, has also been appointed Minister-designate for Food and Agriculture. He will replace Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto who also resigned to compete for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbeareship position.
The MP for Karaga, Mohammed Amin Adam, who was stationed at the Energy Ministry as deputy Minister, has been appointed Minister of State at the Finance Ministry to replace Charles Adu Boahen who resigned after the Anas expose dubbed “Galamsey Economy”.
The position of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, which was formerly occupied by the MP for Ahanta West, Mr. Ebenezer Kojo Kum, has been given to Mr. Stephen Asamoah Boateng, a competitor in the NPP national chairmanship race.
Mr. Herbert Krapah, who was Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Trade, has been moved to the Energy Ministry as Deputy Minister to replace Mr. Mohammed Amin Adam, while Dr. Stephen Amoah is now Deputy Minister-designate for Trade and Industry, to replace Herbert Krapah.
The MP for Akuapem South, Mr. Osei Bonsu Amoah, has also been promoted as the Minister of State at the Local Government and Rural Development Ministry.
The President said he was hopeful that the designated ministers and deputy ministers would be approved as soon as possible to enable them commence work.
Referring the nominations to the Appointment Committee of Parliament for vetting, Speaker Bagbin said: “…I accordingly refer this communication to the Appointment Committee for consideration and report to the House.”
He also congratulated the MPs who were fortunate to have been nominated for ministerial and deputy ministerial positions, and said he was hopeful that they would go through the vetting successfully, since their colleagues from the Minority side were jubilating more than the Majority Caucus.
“I want to on behalf of members congratulate the MPs who have met the high consideration of His Excellency and have been given the opportunity to go through the vetting by this House.
“I hope all of you will pass; It is only a hope but since the minority were jubilation more than the majority, it is an indication that you may go through.”
He then proceeded to welcome the members to the House and charged them to work hard, since there were numerous bills, papers, instruments, questions and motions that the House would deal with.
