Justify your inclusion - President Akufo-Addo to deputy Ministers

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has admonished the newly sworn in deputy ministers to justify their inclusion in his administration, as their success will vindicate him for appointing them. “You are aware of the controversies surrounding your appointment. These criticisms impose a clear obligation on you to justify your selection.

“I am equally involved in your success, for your success vindicates me,” President Akufo-Addo said on Wednesday at the swearing-in of 25 deputy Ministers at the State Banquet Hall in Accra.

The President reminded them that their success in the task ahead of them would only materialise when they showed loyalty to their ministers and worked with sincerity, integrity and transparency.

He told them to ensure at all times that the collective and individual commitments made by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to serve the Ghanaians honestly and competently, because their calling is to “provide public service and not to promote personal gain”.

President Akufo Addo warned that he would not tolerate acts of disloyalty and subversion of ministers by their deputies.

“For I will take such an act as disloyalty to me personally, and by inference, disloyalty to the party and the state.”

“Any deputy who thinks the route to advancement lies in your ability to subvert or undermine your minister would be sadly mistaken...you would not profit from that conduct,” he cautioned.

“I want you to work with your minister in all sincerity and transparency; that is the guarantee of your success and our collective success... seize the opportunity to serve your country with humility and with the determination, perform, guided always by Almighty God...shame your detractors and together let us build a self-reliant prosperous Ghana.”

The President asked them to file their assets declaration expeditiously as demanded by law, and told them to strike an effective balance between their responsibilities as members of the Legislature and of the Executive.

He commended Parliament for the exercising its constitutional powers of approval of members of his government with commendable dispatch and transparency, saying, “a sincere partnership between the Executive and Legislature bodes well for the Ghanaian people and democracy”.

The first batch of 25 deputy ministers out of the approved 50 deputies sworn-in included Kwaku Kwarteng, Abena Osei Asare, Charles Adu Boahene, Finance; Owuraku Aidoo, Joseph Cud Joe, Dr Mohammed Amin Anta, Energy; Osei Bonsu Amoah, Collins Ntim, Kwasi Boateng Agyei, Local Government and Rural Development; Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Ama Dokuaa Asiamah Agyei, Perry Curtis Okudzeto, Information; and William Agyapong Quaitoo, Dr Sagre Bambangi, George Oduro, Agriculture.

Others are Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah, Robert Ahomka-Lindsey, Trade and Industry; Kwabena Owusu Aduomi, Anthony N-yon Puowele Karbo, Roads and Highways; Benito Owusu Bio, Barbara Oteng Gyasi, lands and Natural Resources; Freda Prempeh, Eugene Antwi, Works and Housing; and Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum and Barbara Ayisi Acher, Education.

Mr Nkrumah, a deputy information minister, on behalf of his colleagues thanked the President for the opportunity given them to serve the country, assuring that they would diligently, faithfully, and with integrity and loyalty, justify the confidence reposed in them.

“We are committed to ensure that success is achieved...we will work to vindicate the President,” he said.

The President will later on in the day swear into office the remaining 25 deputy ministers at a separate ceremony.