My 'resignation' claims are false and fabricated - Mustapha Hamid

Minister of Information Mustapha Hamid, has rubbished claims in the media that he intends to resign from his position.

He has described any such story as a “figment of the writer’s imagination” and cautioned individuals and media outlets engaged in spewing out such propaganda to desist from it.

In a statement issued by him on Tuesday, the astute communicator wondered “.how a thought (that which is in somebody's mind) constitute a story”.

The statement was issued after Al-Hajj newspaper published a story with headline “Mustapha Hamid to resign?” in which the paper suggested that the Government’s spokesperson was unhappy with the way the government is dealing with some issues.

It was also suggested that Mustapha Hamid felt he had been sidelined by the President and thus intends to step down as lead communicator for the government.

Mustapha Hamid insists that “I am totally happy with my job and I am happy to contribute my quota to the fortunes of the Akufo-Addo government. I serve at the pleasure of the President and until he decides otherwise, I intend to be Minister of Information and Presidential Spokesperson for as long as it takes”

He also discredited the paper for suggesting that his deputies disrespected him emphasing that they have formed a formidable team at the Ministry with a healthy bond.

He noted that “as for the fabrication about my deputies disrespecting me, it is laughable. I can say with absolute confidence that I am arguably the minister, most respected by his deputies. The camaraderie amongst us is not like anything I have known in my entire life. We have become more than work mates. We are brothers and sister to one another. You will recall that at the recent National Policy Summit, I said publicly that I have very wonderful deputies and expressed my indebtedness to the President for giving me, such wonderful deputies”

Prior to President Akufo-Addo’s victory in the 2016 elections, Mustapha Hamid was his spokesperson and headed the then candidate’s communication.

He was subsequently appointed the Minister of Information by Akufo-Addo and also doubles as the Spokesperson for the presidency.

Below is the full statement of Mustapha Hamid

Re: Mustapha Hamid to resign?

I write in response to your story of today 25th July 2017 with the above headline. Your story, which is purported to have been culled from the Al-Hajj newspaper, alleges that I plan to resign as Minister for Information and Presidential Spokesperson. This is a figment of the writer's imagination. I have at no time harboured any such thoughts. I am totally happy with my job and I am happy to contribute my quota to the fortunes of the Akufo-Addo government. I serve at the pleasure of the President and until he decides otherwise, I intend to be Minister for Information and Presidential Spokesperson for as long as it takes.

Having said that, it is important to caution about propagating unsourced stories. I thought that a news story is an event that has been enacted. How does a thought (that which is in somebody's mind) constitute a story? I also thought that "there is no art to find the mind's construction on the face." How the Al-Hajj newspaper reads what people have in their minds is baffling.

As for the fabrication about my deputies disrespecting me, it is laughable. I can say with absolute confidence that I am arguably the minister, most respected by his deputies. The camaraderie amongst us is not like anything I have known in my entire life. We have become more than work mates. We are brothers and sister to one another. You will recall that at the recent National Policy Summit, I said publicly that I have very wonderful deputies and expressed my indebtedness to the President for giving me such wonderful deputies.

I hope this sets the record straight and sets the hearts of my well wishers at ease.

Mustapha Abdul-Hamid

(Minister for Information and Presidential Spokesperson).