President Mills shakes up ministers

Days after the historic visit of the United States (US) President Barack Obama to Ghana exclusive and unsullied intelligent picked from the Castle, Osu has let slip that almost every arrangement is set for the Mills-led administration to embark on its first reshuffle of certain Ministers and Deputies since it took over the reins of government barely seven months ago. The first reshuffle, which was originally scheduled to take place exactly six months after assumption of power by the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ghanaian Observer (GO) learnt, was suspended due to the US President's recent visit to the country. However, unassailable information available to GO and corroborated by highly placed sources at the Presidency, indicates that any moment from now, the Presidency will announce the shake up in the various Ministries as well as a particular position at the Presidency. According to the information, the reshuffle will affect Ministries such as the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare, Ministry of Information, Ministry of Interior, Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration as well as the Ministry of Defence.The paper reports that the Central Regional Minister, Madam Ama Benyiwa Doe, will be moving down to Accra to replace the Minster of Employment and Social Welfare, Mr. Stephen K. Amoanor. Additionally, due to the frequent fracas between the offices of the Presidential Spokesperson, Mr. Mahama Ayariga and Head of Communications, Mr. Koku Ayidoho, the former's office will be "collapsed" for now. "Well, arrangements are being made for him (Mr. Ayariga) to take up another appointment. So it is not an arrangement to completely get the Presidential Spokesperson out of government. He has contributed largely to shaping up of this administration and therefore he will not be left out just like that," a source said. With the Information Ministry, there is the high possibility that the current Eastern Regional Minister, Mr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, will be moved to the Ministry because of his competence in communication in different languages. But other key personalities with excellent communications skills within government, GO can report, have are being considered for the same Ministry. ''You know this is one of the strategic Ministries so government is particular about who handles the place. At least, somebody who can effectively and efficiently manage government information will be good for the Ministry. The current Minister is doing well but there is always a better person out there," GO was told. "She is doing a great job so who knows, she might be doing a fantastic work when taken out of this Ministry to another one." GO's source revealed that"by this first exercise the NDC government is just trying to re-fix certain personalities into positions which will result in more efficient governance than what we are experiencing now."

Source: Ghanaian Observer