All set for big Cabinet shake-up

President John Agyekum Kufuor is set to announce the names of new ministers in what sources have described as a “major shake-up.” The much-anticipated reshuffle is expected latest tomorrow and would see the recalling of some Ministers of State at the Presidency.

The President is ready to deliver his list of new ministers to Parliament after the grueling African Union (AU) Summit.


The former Minister of Tertiary Education at the Ministry of Education, Ms. Elizabeth Ohene is likely to pick up a portfolio in one of the ministries to be vacated by the eight aspirant-ministers, who are jostling to succeed President Kufuor.


DAILY GUIDE has learnt that apart from the eight senior cabinet ministers who were prevailed upon by the President to quit his government, not less than two other ministers would be shown the exit, while some deputy ministers would earn promotions.


With the departure of the eight senior ministers who are out to oil their presidential ambitions, some ministers are expected to swap positions, with others moving to more challenging portfolios.


The names of the new ministers would be out latest tomorrow to give enough room for their vetting by Parliament before the House rises later in the month.


The President’s hands are said to be tied and he cannot afford to delay in the release of names for his new cabinet.

President Kufuor had directed ministers with presidential ambitions to leave by the end of the African Union Summit which officially ended yesterday.


Indeed some of the aspirant-ministers were visibly absent from the Summit, as they were said to be engaged in campaigning activities in one region or another.


The eight ministers are Alan Kyeremanten, Trade and Industry; Prof Mike Oquaye, Communications; Nana Akufo-Addo, Foreign Affairs; Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Tourism and Diasporan Relations; Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor, Defence; Papa Owusu-Ankomah, Education, Science and Sports; Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, Water Resources, Works and Housing; and Felix Owusu-Adjapong, Majority Leader and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs.


They have all made their intentions for the NPP presidential slot known.


Prof Oquaye, Dr. Addo-Kufuor, Mr Owusu-Agyemang and Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey have already tendered in their resignation and are awaiting the official acceptance of their move.