Big Cabinet shake-up!

Speculations were rife yesterday about a major shake-up in the government, the first since President Akufo-Addo assumed the reins of government.

The expectation of the shake-up was given impetus by the ouster of Boakye Agyarko as Energy Minister a couple of days ago.

Observers of Jubilee House predicted the ouster as a precursor of a major reshuffle and the dropping of others.

Yesterday, ministerial appointees were under pressure fearing about the impending reshuffle, with names like Otiko Afisa Djaba said to be on the firing line.

One thing is clear about downsizing of the list of ministers.

At press time, social media was awash with a heightened speculation of the reshuffling of the ministers and the outright dropping of others with congratulatory messages being heaped on the lucky ones.

The full list, according to DAILY GUIDE’s sources, will be dropped this morning after the last cabinet meeting to wish those going good luck.

The president also would thank them for their immense contributions to the government.

What gained currency yesterday was the movement of the Information Minister, Dr. Mustapha Abdul Hamid, to an undisclosed portfolio although some said he was heading for the Zongo and Inner Cities Ministry.

Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ofoase Ayirebi in the Eastern Region, takes over from Mustapha Hamid as Information Minister from his former position of Deputy Minister.

Prominent in the movements is the dropping of the Gender, Women, Children and Social Protection Minister, Otiko Afisa Djaba.

It is also expected that the Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kyerematen, could be heading for the Health Ministry, taking over from Kwaku Agyeman Manu as Ghana’s envoy to Italy, Paulina Abayage Tangoba returns home to become Upper East Regional Minister.

Ambassador Paulina Tangoba recently dashed home for undisclosed assignment touching base with her political godfathers, possibly earning her a slot in the Akufo-Addo administration.

The incumbent minister, Rexford Bukari, might not be assigned any portfolio.

The current acting Energy Minister, John Peter Amewu, could be confirmed as the substantive minister for the ministry Boakye Agyarko was relieved of earlier.

Another major feature of the changes is the possible dropping of the Madina MP and Zongo Minister Boniface Abubakar Saddique.

The official list of the reshuffle is expected today, DAILY GUIDE gathered yesterday.

The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Kwaku Asoma Cheremeh, is likely to take over as Lands and Forestry Minister as his deputy in the region replaces him.

Kofi Adda, who has been cited for traveling too much, may be yanked off from the Sanitation Ministry possibly for Cecilia Dappah, the Aviation Minister.